Universal Beijing Resort announces 2 new attractions

Universal Beijing Resort said Wednesday it will build two new attractions, bringing Asia's first "Fast & Furious" indoor thrill ride to the resort and adding a nighttime spectacular at the Lagoon, as it celebrated its fifth anniversary in Beijing.

Joe Hoskin, executive vice president and general manager of Universal Beijing Resort, announces new projects at the resort's fifth anniversary celebration in Beijing, Sept. 16, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Joe Hoskin, executive vice president and general manager of Universal Beijing Resort, announced the plans to cheers from guests, partners and fans.

The "Fast & Furious" ride was designed specifically for Universal Beijing Resort. The fully indoor attraction will bring the franchise's signature chase sequences, action scenes and high-energy atmosphere into a themed experience combining immersive environments, storytelling and the ride itself.

The second project will give guests a new way to explore the park after dark, Hoskin said. The Lagoon, at the heart of the park, will become a gateway connecting the park's seven themed lands through a blend of light, music, storytelling and live interaction.

The resort staged the celebration on Sept. 16, ahead of its actual anniversary on Sept. 20, with nostalgic reflections, star power and Halloween fun.

"I have been looking forward to today for a long time. Standing here right now, what comes to mind is not simply number five, but the countless smiling faces, cheers, screams and unforgettable memories that have filled this resort over the past five years," Hoskin said.

Set to the resort's fifth anniversary theme song, "No Boundaries," the blue carpet stretched from Hollywood Boulevard to the Universal Majestic Theatre. Along the way, characters such as Kung Fu Panda and the Minions, celebrity guests including Liu Haoran, Ci Sha, Zhuang Dafei, Huang Lei, Liu Shishi and Lars Huang, and park guests appeared before the cameras and enthusiastic fans.

Celebrities and iconic characters pose for photos at the blue carpet ceremony for Universal Beijing Resort's fifth anniversary celebration in Beijing, Sept. 16, 2026. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Inside the Universal Majestic Theatre, the anniversary gala opened with music and dance. Highlights included retrospective footage of the resort's five-year journey, a birthday cake-cutting ceremony, pop star Da Zhang Wei joining Universal Pop to perform a new track, "Life of the Party," and singer Zhou Shen performing "Big Fish" and "No Boundaries" live.

"From the very first time I walked into Universal Beijing Resort, I knew I belonged. I saw the Universal Globe turning, heard the music on Universal City Walk Beijing, my heart beating fast as I walked through the gates," Hoskin said.

"At the same time, we have witnessed the vigorous rise of experiential consumption in China, and we are truly honored to have become a new cultural and tourism landmark of Beijing," he said, noting that the resort has posted several consecutive years of growth, worked with more franchise partners worldwide and welcomed a growing number of overseas guests.

Searches for hotels near Universal Beijing Resort rose 118% in July from a year earlier, while searches for ticket-and-hotel packages rose 228%, travel platform Qunar said, reflecting a shift from single-day visits to longer stays that combine accommodation. A summer survey by Think Blue and Ctrip ranked the resort among Beijing's 10 most popular attractions for inbound tourism.

Data from the Themed Entertainment Association for 2022 through 2025 shows attendance has grown every year since the resort opened. It rose 109.3% in 2023 and 8.6% in 2024, the fastest growth among the world's 15 largest theme parks by attendance. The resort has appeared frequently this year on national attraction popularity rankings published by travel platforms.

Over the past five years, the resort has refreshed its guest experience through seasonal events, new ticket products, local franchise collaborations and distinctive merchandise and hotel offerings.

Alongside globally popular franchises, it has brought Chinese properties into its seasonal events, including "Honor of Kings," "Genshin Impact," virtual singer Luo Tianyi, "The Grave Robbers' Chronicles" and "Identity V."

Its 2025 "Genshin Impact" themed restaurant drew more than 45 million social media views over three months, with 98% guest satisfaction. The 2026 Ludi Harpastum interactive zone scored above 94% satisfaction for its theme, character and scene recreation, and live performances.

Joe Hoskin, executive vice president and general manager of Universal Beijing Resort, joins characters, performers and team members on stage to celebrate the resort's fifth anniversary in Beijing, Sept. 16, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Hoskin added: "We are bringing diverse cultures from being seen to being truly experienced; we harness digital technology to make every visit smoother and warmer; we continue to create jobs and nurture talent; and we remain committed to living in harmony with the nature around us."

The association's 2025 Global Experience Index report says China is becoming a core engine of attendance growth for theme parks and museums worldwide. Tongzhou district, where the resort is located, recorded 16.03 million net visits in 2025, up 7.6% from a year earlier, and tourism spending of 22.05 billion yuan ($3.1 billion), up 11.9%.

As commercial entertainment complexes, hotels and other cultural tourism projects have opened in succession in Tongzhou, the resort and its surrounding offerings are driving the city sub-center's transition to a comprehensive cultural tourism destination.

"This resort is ours. Together, we built it day by day. Together, we operate it day by day. And together, we will build a century-old brand, creating extraordinary experiences for generations to come," Hoskin told attendees, drawing another round of applause and cheers.