Sanlitun

Sanlitun (Chinese: 三里屯; pinyin: Sānlǐtún; literally: "three li village") is an area of the Chaoyang District, Beijing containing many popular bar streets and international stores.

The area has been under almost constant regeneration since the late 20th century as part of a city-wide project of economic regrowth. It currently houses many bars and clubs popular with both locals and foreigners as well as international brand-name stores such as Uniqlo, American Apparel, Apple Inc. and Adidas. It is notable for housing the largest Adidas store in the world. In recent years, the Taikoo Li Sanlitun (三里屯太古里) shopping mall has become a popular destination for locals and foreigners alike.

History

Prior to 1949, the Beijing Legation Quarter was the center of diplomatic activity in the capital. After the foundation of the 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 was called Sanlitun to designate its location from Dongzhimen gate (东直门). With tun means 'locality', san li means 'three li' (a li is 0.5 km), the name is translated as 1.5 km away (from Dongzhimen Gate).