Sanlitun Introduction History

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5 years ago admin

Sanlitun is an area of the Chaoyang District，Beijing，containing many popular bars and international stores.The area has been under constant regeneration since the late 20th century as part of a city-

wide project of economic growth.It currently houses many bars and clubs popular with both expatriates and locals as well as stores for top brands products such as American Apparel，Apple Inc.and Adidas.It is notable for housing the largest Adidas store in the world.In recent years，the Sanlitun Village shopping mall has become a popular destination for young people The Ya Show market is also in this area，a popular destination for tourists to buy clothes.

History

Prior to 1949，the Beijing Legation Quarter was the center of diplomatic activities in the capital.After the foundation of the People’s Republic of China，the government wanted to move the diplomatic district outside the inner city.Sanlitun was chosen as the area where foreign legations and embassies were to be reallocated in the late 1950s.The area wascalled Sanlitun to designate its location from Dongzhimen.Tun means locality and san li mean three li（a li is 0.5 km），so the name translates as 1.5 km away（from Dongzhimen Gate）.

Sanlitun began to grow along with the economic reforms of the late 1970s and early 1980s when bars serving expatriates and later locals began to open.International hotels hosted the first bars，but in the 1990s，standalone establishments appeared.

A small lane known as Nan Jie was demolished in the summer of 2005 to make way for new buildings.However，bars and restaurants continue to operate on both sides of Gongti Bei Lu.The Village andNali Mall shopping areas opened in the summer 2008，giving the area many new shops，restaurants，bars and a multiplex cinema.

Nightlife

Sanlitun is the center of nightlife in Beijing.It consists of a main“bar street”，which is divided into northern and southern sections of the road with a lot of casual（and cheaper）bars，and several large clubs near north gate of the Workers’Stadium.Sanlitun has nearly legendary status among tourists and you will be fascinated by its bars.Many tourists visit the place savvy，but the residents can also be found there.