User:Tangshiq/sandbox/Sanlitun

Sanlitun (Chinese: 三里屯; pinyin: Sānlǐtún) is an area of Chaoyang District, Beijing. It contains 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 reform. There are many bars and clubs in Sanlitun which are popular for both foreigners and local citizens. Also, Sanlitun has many international brand stores such as American Apparel, Apple Inc. and Adidas. It is notable that Sanlitun has the largest Adidas store in the world. In recent years, the Sanlitun Village shopping mall has become a popular destination for both expatriates and young Chinese.[1] The Ya Show (雅秀) market is also in the area, a popular destination for tourists who wish to buy cheap clothing.

History
Prior to 1949, the Beijing Legation Quarter was the center of diplomatic activity 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 to be reallocated in the late 1950s. The area was called Sanlitun to designate its location from Dongzhimen gate. 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).

Sanlitun's began to grow when, along with the economic reforms in the late 1970s and early 1980s, bars serving expatriates and later locals began to open. International hotels introduced the first bars, but in the 1990s, standalone establishments appeared. Now, there are approximately 80 bars around Sanlitun area.

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.

Sanlitun Village and Nali Mall shopping areas opened in the summer 2008, giving the area many new shops, restaurants, bars and a multiplex cinema. In April 26, 2013, "Sanlitun Village" changed its name to "Taikoo Li Sanlitun".

In April 2008, prior to the 2008 Summer Olympics and as part of an ongoing operation to clean up the city, a major drug bust occurred in Sanlitun and many arrests were made. A total of four bars and clubs were effectively closed, including a notorious bar known as Pure Girl for its cheap alcohol and availability of drugs, both its bartender and manager were executed for distribution of drugs. However it has since reopened a year later with new management. The police operation was widely criticized for its absence of proper banning process. A number of drug dealers as well as a barman are believed to have received the death penalty as a result of this operation.

Future
In the future, Sanlitun will be divided into two regions. North shopping district aims to attract luxury consumers. It is understood that the North design highlights luxury features, the main food restaurants, enlist world-class cuisine. According to reports, the new Sanlitun North region is designed for the world's top luxury brands tailored for high-end consumer groups to create a comfortable shopping environment. The North also shows elegant, the North Block named " fashion front" is a building which changes its outlook with the seasons changing ; North East Block, named " Crystal facade ", the design uses glass luxury avant -clear and hard metals combined. Southern Region is more about leisure, is a gathering audio books, art galleries , bars and other leisure fashion culture consumption centers , including " Distinguished Taste Area", " Art and Culture Area "" Tide Zone " , Cultural Square and Fashion Avenue.