A HUB OF CREATIVITY
The new center of a city, in the eyes of most young Chinese, is often marked by its function as a commercial hub, and Beijing Sanlitun is a prime example of this.
The spatial relationship, constructed by youth, vitality, fashion and consumption, has become an integral part of the urban youth life. It is the signature footprint of the fast-paced work life, which reflects the mobile development of the city. It is also the most imaginative stage of a city. Probing into the heart of Sanlitun is an exploration of the city’s multifaceted characters.
The name Sanlitun has become more or less synonymous with chic in Beijing. It is constantly changing, just like a huge bright billboard, vying for the spotlight in the torrent of rapid replacement. No matter it is day or night, amazing collisions are taking place in Sanlitun, and changes are eternal.
However, when tracing back to its origins, it is actually quite historical. The neighborhood was referred to as “Sanli military station outside the Beijing City Wall”. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, it was planned as the second embassy district, with embassies from dozens of countries. After the reform and opening-up in 1979, the growing international community established a bar culture in its streets and alleys and it later became the “new business card” of Beijing.
Within just 10 years, nearly 70 percent of the bars in Beijing were located here, followed by the rapid growth of consumption in the retail, catering and entertainment industries. In 2006, the renovation of Sanlitun Bar Street began.
On a lazy afternoon with mild sunshine, a worker sat quietly on the edge of the fence on the construction site. His obvious solitude and the roar behind him formed a sharp contrast. Behind the simple picture is a prosperous future. To the expectations of the designers, it was not long before Sanlitun Bar Street turned into a leisurely and culturally creative hub integrating shopping, hotels, bars, art and other functions.
The light and shade in Sanlitun have brought the city to life. There are young people gathering here, expats who gradually integrate into their Beijing life, employees in the service industry, and workers on construction sites. They came from all over the world and became part of Sanlitun.
It’s like a low-key hipster that needs to be discovered with patience. As the capital that constantly attracts young people, Beijing is changing with each passing day, accommodating the dreams, interests and ideals of various young people. Here, a-la-mode is the attitude toward life.
During Spring Festival in 2013, Sanlitun Village was renamed Taikoo Li. This open space allows pedestrians to walk on the front line of the times — you can see people wearing the most avantgarde clothing and manifesting themselves with the definition of inclusiveness. Taikoo Li’s high profile has also driven up businesses in the neighborhood.
In recent years, the more frequent interaction with art and design has become the new trademark in Sanlitun. In addition to the large-scale installations, the public areas and sunken plazas in its north part often serve as the main venue in Beijing Design Week where artists and designers create on the ground. If you rediscover Sanlitun with design and aesthetics as clues, you will find the entire block centered on Taikoo Li has gradually sketched out a literary and artistic vein.
Sanlitun boasts minute details of life in a multicultural environment. The complexity of the city is interpreted here with the public’s interests, tastes and needs constantly in change. They are connected in series to drive the wheel of the times.*