The site of China’s first Apple Store, Sanlitun Village is an ultra-modern open-air mall filled with primarily international brands and large chain stores. It will feel very familiar to foreign visitors and perhaps a bit disappointing as you will see globalization illustrated in full force. That being said, when you’re looking for a good burger, a cup of coffee in a nice casual cafe, look no further. You can take a break from your full China experience with a stop at Sanlitun.
Orientation
The Village is made up of two blocks: the North and the South (You can see this as “Village North” or “Village South” in the addresses if you are looking for a specific shop or restaurant. It is supposed to echo the old Hutong Courtyard Houses from Beijing.
Location
- Courtyard 19, Sanlitun Road, Sanlitun Area
- Chinese address: 三里屯 路 19 号 院, 城市 宾馆 北面
- Say it in Mandarin: Sanlitun is pronounced “sahn lee toon.” The village is located just north of the huge Yashow (“Yah shao sheh chahng”) clothing market on Sanlitun Road.
Negotiation in stores?
No, there will be no negotiations in this international complex. Yes, those prices are correct. Drink. (Unless you really need it, you’d better buy it at home.) Just to give you an idea of the price difference of international products in China, even though they can be made in China, the price of an iPhone in Hong Kong is about US $ 200 less expensive than the same model in China.
What to buy
Sorry not to stop shopping here, but it may be necessary. If you really need proper supplies from Apple, then you can at least trust the Apple store. While Apple retailers abound in China, you never know if you’re getting the real deal or not. At least here you can be sure that you are getting the real thing. Many sporting goods stores like Adidas, Puma and Nike have great outlets in Sanlitun Village and in August 2008 they had some really cool items related to the Olympics. If you like these brands then it’s worth seeing what they have as they create specialty items specific to the Chinese market.
But try it first. Asian size is smaller than American size.
What might be called the Japanese “Gap” also has a large retail store. Check out Uniqlo for basics like T-shirts and jeans. And of course, when you need a caffeine break, Starbucks is downstairs to meet your needs.
Where to eat
There are all kinds of cafes and restaurants to choose from in Sanlitun Village. You can find a wide range of international cuisine, from Thai to Japanese ramen, and many western cafes. For soup and salad, try Wagas, a Chinese chain that specializes in western comfort food.
What else to do
There are also quite a few galleries in the Village and one year we had a great low budget art fair held in Sanlitun Village.
You can also see some performing artists or other things. It is a great place for people watching on the weekends as well. Have a coffee and sit down. You’ll see everyone from spoiled expat families to trendy Chinese locals.
