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
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On Women's Day
Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2a)
How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Company%20profile
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
BIOSAFETY LABS SECURITY LEVELS
Biosafety Level 1
The lowest safety level. These labs work with viruses that are minimal risk to humans.
Hand washing is required on entry and exit and potentially infectious material decontaminated with bleach before thrown away.
Must have a lock. Access limited. Lab does not need to be isolated from other buildings.
Used as teaching spaces.
Study microorganisms such as Staphylococcus which causes food poisoning.
Biosafety Level 2
These labs deal with pathogens that can be harmful to people and the environment such as Hepatitis, HIV and salmonella.
Working in Level 2 requires special training in handling pathogenic agents.
Extra safety and security precautions are taken in addition to those at Level 1
Biosafety Level 3
These labs contain material that can be lethal if inhaled. This includes SARS coronavirus, MERS, and yellow fever.
Significant extra precautions are taken with staff given specific immunisations when dealing with certain diseases.
Infectious material is examined in a biological safety cabinet.
Personnel must wear protective gowns that must be discarded or decontaminated after use.
Strict safety and handling procedures are in place. There must be double entrances to the building and they must contain self-closing doors to reduce risk of pathogen aerosols escaping.
Windows must be sealed. Air from must be filtered before it can be recirculated.
Biosafety Level 4
The highest level for biosafety precautions. Scientist work with highly dangerous diseases that have no vaccine or cure.
All material must be decontaminated.
Personnel must wear a positive pressure suit for protection. On leaving the lab this must pass through decontamination shower before they have a personal shower.
Entry is severely restricted to trained and authorised personnel. All entries are recorded.
Entrance must be via airlocks.
