Universal Studios to open theme park in Beijing in 2019

Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates the premiere of new 3D ultra HD digital animation adventure "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, Los Angeles, California, on Apr11, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

Beijing will join Singapore and Tokyo as the third destinations in Asia to host a Universal Studios park in 2019, according to today's Beijing Daily report.

The complex will be located in the capital's southeastern Tongzhou district with a total investment above 20 billion yuan ($3.3 billion), and will cover an area of 1.2 square kilometers.

Besides similar movie-themed attractions in other counties, the Beijing location will also feature traditional and modern Chinese culture, according to the daily.

The project will also have a themed hotel resort, and a commercial street planned for the future, to build Tongzhou, the capital's southeastern suburban area, into a key culture and tourism destination.

According to the paper, Universal Studios signed the agreement with its partner Beijing Shouhuan in December of last year, and the National Development and Reform Commission approved the project last month.

Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission said the Universal Studios park is an important step in Tongzhou's planning, and will help to boost high-end cultural tourism in the capital.