Phase 2 of Universal Beijing Resort underway

Universal Beijing Resort, which opened to the public in September to huge enthusiasm, is planning its second phase of construction, a senior official of the Beijing municipal government said. 

Cui Shuqiang, Beijing's executive vice-mayor, said at a news conference on Wednesday that the second phase will cover 2.2 square kilometers, with five more hotels expected to be built. 

"Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, average daily visits are around 10,000," he said. "The peak capacity of the theme park is 110,000 visits.

The number will absolutely grow after winter and benefit the tourism industry in the neighboring areas of Beijing's Tongzhou district, where the resort is located."

The 40 billion yuan ($6.2 billion) resort began fully operating in September. It is the fifth Universal Studios theme park in the world, the third in Asia and the first in China.

The resort, which includes the Universal Studios Beijing theme park, Universal CityWalk Beijing and two hotels — the Universal Studios Grand Hotel and the NUO Resort Hotel — is expected to receive more than 10 million tourists a year, and bring in annual revenues of 10 billion yuan.