Universal Studios Beijing theme park opens doors after two-decade wait

It is the world's fifth Universal Studios-branded theme park

People take selfies near the entrance to Universal Studios Beijing in China on the opening day on September 20, 2021. AP Photo

People wearing raincoats and carrying umbrellas walk through a plaza near the entrance of Universal Studios Beijing. AP Photo

Women wear face masks to help protect themselves from Covid-19 as they line up to enter a merchandise store at Universal Studios Beijing. AP Photo

Thousands of people brave the rain to visit the newest location of the global brand of theme parks. AP Photo

A visitor walks through a row of crowd control barriers set up near the entrance to Universal Studios Beijing during a three day mid-autumn public holiday in the city. AP Photo

A little visitor at Universal Studios Beijing. AP Photo

The theme park in Beijing is the fifth Universal Studios in the world. AP Photo

Visitors ride on a roller coaster at the Universal Studios theme park during trial runs in Beijing, in August 2021. AP Photo

This is Universal Studio's first theme park in China. AP Photo

A look inside the theme park. Chinatopix via AP

A man uses a bike-sharing service near a giant sign for Universal Beijing Resort, ahead of its opening. Reuters

Visitors watch performers do a test parade inside the Universal Studios Beijing theme park before its opening, in August 2021. Cnsphoto via Reuters

Universal Beijing Resort opened its doors to the public on Monday and thousands attended despite gloomy weather and coronavirus safety restrictions hampering festivities.

The entertainment hub, which was first proposed 20 years ago, is the first Universal Studios-branded theme park to open in China, the third in Asia and the fifth in the world.

It is also the brand's largest, not to mention a first for Beijing, which lacks a big branded theme park to rival the Disney resorts in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Take a look through the photo gallery above to see more from the park's opening day.

There are seven themed lands, including Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness, the first of its kind for a Universal park, home to rides such as the Kung Fu Panda Journey of the Dragon Warrior and Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp.

There's also The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Transformers Metrobase, Minion Land and Jurassic World Isla Nublar. Rounding off the seven are Hollywood and WaterWorld.

In total, there are 37 rides, including all of the popular Harry Potter rides and the white-knuckle Decepticoaster.

Visitors will also find several merchandise stores and dozens of restaurants, including The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, which serves up a unique combination of burgers and sushi, as well as Mr Ping’s Noodle House and Neon Street Hawkers, serving a range of South-East Asian food. Select venues are also able to accommodate a halal diet on request, according to the website's FAQ section.

All 10,000 tickets for the opening available in a presale on September 14 sold out in three minutes, according to Trip.com Group.

However, many complained on social media about the ticket costs, which range from 418 yuan ($64.76) in the low season to 748 yuan ($116) during peak periods.

– Additional reporting from Reuters