Sanlitun (三里屯 in Chinese, Sānlǐtún in Pinyin) is a Chaoyang District neighborhood known for its many bars, shops, restaurants, and international residents and feel.
Originally Beijing's embassy area, Sanlitun has been in constant change and evolution since the end of the 20th century, when the city first committed itself to a policy of strong economic growth. Today, the neighborhood hosts a multitude of bars and nightclubs - both Chinese- and Western-oriented -as well as a number of large shopping malls filled with big name brands. Athletic wear brand Adidas has its largest store worldwide located in Sanlitun Village, and right next store lies Yashow (pronounced "yah-shoo"), a multi-level shop filled to the brim with vendors of cheap, custom, and counterfeit clothing, luggage, and other wares that attracts tourists willing to bargain hard for a good price.
Despite the emergence of Sanlitun as a party, shopping, and dining
area, 79 countries still retain embassies within its limits - including
Australia, Belgium, Canada, and France.
Living Arrangements
As Sanlitun is in downtown, its residential options are comprised almost entirely of apartment housing, although several options exist for those preferring to live in a villa (townhome), like East Lake Villa, right on the area's periphery. Sanlitun's luxury communities include the Sanlitun SOHO, Oriental Plaza, and Pacific Century Place.
Most apartment complexes in Sanlitun include:
- Central, government-mandated parks and green space
- Exercise facilities and fitness gyms
- Convenience stores and shops
- Guardhouses with regular patrols
More reasonably priced than the nearby CBD, rents can be had as low
as ¥5,000
per month at the most economical levels in Sanlitun, and can stretch to
above ¥60,000 at the luxury end. Normal rent prices here range from
¥10,000 to ¥25,000 per month, as it is still in the city center and in
a very in-demand part of town for young singles.
Local Amenities
As an area very popular with expatriates, Sanlitun offers a variety of Western amenities, some of which include:
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Western supermarkets BHG and Jenny Lou's
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A great many non-Chinese dining options, including Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, American, Korean, Japanese, Thai, and Mexican restaurants
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Fast food restaurants, including KFC, McDonald's, and Pizza Hut
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Popular cafés Bonbon Café, Maan Coffee (one of the few places in Beijing serving great Belgian waffles), The Bookworm (a café featuring shelves filled with books that can be borrowed and read while eating, drinking, or relaxing), Starbucks Coffee, Godiva Café, Costa Coffee, SPR Coffee, Cosy Café, and a great many more
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Popular bars, including D Lounge, Apothecary, Lan Bar, Paddy O'Shea's, Bar Blue, George's, Fubar, and many more
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Beijing's largest nightclubs: VICS, Mix, and Elements - plus others
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Large outdoor shopping mall Sanlitun Village, a place that attracts many expatriates and locals alike - particularly those that love shopping. Sanlitun Village features everything from shops (Adidas, Apple, and Uniqlo anchor tenants, and a number of other stores) to dining (on the third floor) to fast food options, cafés, and bars
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Next to Sanlitun Village is Yashow, a top destination for tourists visiting Beijing to bargain and haggle on cheap and counterfeit wares. There are tailors here on the third floor who will make nearly anything to your specifications, with varying levels of quality, and you can find all manner of clothing, accessories, suitcases, and the like up and down the building - provided you're willing to haggle. Most vendors will quote you a price that's between 8 and 10 times what they're willing to sell it for if you don't look and sound Chinese
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The Beijing International SOS 24-Hour Clinic offers everything from dentistry to emergency room treatment, and offers ambulance service and house calls as well. Team members speak English, French, German, Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, Dutch, Japanese, and Korean
As Beijing's top destination for nightlife, shopping, and dining,
expect to find everything you're accustomed to having access to in
similar areas in the West here in Sanlitun, too.
Education
The only major international school with a campus in Sanlitun (aside from a collection of small kindergartens and nursery schools) is the British School of Beijing, which includes early education (2+ years) through the end of primary school (11 years).
While the area features few schools itself, it lies a short commute
from Beijing's Lufthansa Area, and the large
number of international schools there.
Main article: International Schools in Beijing: The
School Guide
Location
Sanlitun lies close to the heart of downtown, and as such is very well-positioned for anyone needing to be close to the city center. It offers easy access to the other downtown areas of the city, including the city's Central Business District, and a nearby subway station and plenty of taxis.
The downside of being a top destination in the middle of downtown,
of course, is all the traffic - and Sanlitun has more than enough of it
to go around. If you're traveling in or out during rush hour, make sure
to give yourself some wiggle room in your transportation time - you may
end up needing it.
Verdict
If you're young and single, Sanlitun can't be beat. It features the most vibrant nightlife, the best shopping and daytime activity areas, and the largest selection of restaurants you'll find anywhere in the city. As one of Beijing's largest international hubs, you'll meet plenty of other expatriates here, as well as Chinese familiar with and friendly to internationals and the international lifestyle.
While Sanlitun probably isn't the best choice for families - it's
farther from where the international schools are than Lufthansa, Lido,
or Shunyi,
and it isn't a major office center like the CBD - it has plenty to
offer for those without children in tow... and even something for those
who do have families, but
still like to make sure they get out and about on a regular occasion.
Ready to begin browsing for an apartment in Sanlitun? You can head here to start now:
 Sanlitun 三里屯 Price: ¥7 500 Beds: 1 | Baths: 1 |
 Sanlitun 三里屯 Price: ¥18 000 Beds: 1 | Baths: 2 |
 Sanlitun 三里屯 Price: ¥28 000 Beds: 3 | Baths: 3 |
 Sanlitun 三里屯 Price: ¥26 000 Beds: 3 | Baths: 2 |
 Sanlitun 三里屯 Price: ¥25 000 Beds: 2 | Baths: 2 |
Or, see more apartments here: Apartments in Sanlitun
