Sanlitun, where the second embassy zone is located, is one of the most representative business clusters in Beijing, and the core area of the main district for Beijing to build an international consumption centre city. According to statistics, Sanlitun's main commercial complexes have seen a daily passenger flow exceeding 100,000 during New Year's Day. The hospitality industry, wholesale and retail industries have seen a significant month-on-month increase in operating revenue. In Sanlitun business cluster, Taikoo Li delivered the best performance with more than 260 merchants, of which the first stores and flagship stores accounted for 30%, and the stores of internationally renowned first-tier brands accounted for more than 40%. During Chinese New Year, Taikoo Li received 397,000 visits.

An almost completion of several commercial projects

Fashion is constantly chasing and changing. As the "fashion bellwether" of Beijing, Sanlitun has continued to develop urban renewal in recent years.

In the future, Sanlitun will continue to improve its regional consumption capacity and international influence in accordance with the 14^th Five-Year Plan. Many urban renewal projects in the region are now under construction.

The main part of the reconstruction project of Beijing Workers' Stadium has been topped out. In January this year, the supporting business facilities of the sunken square and the peripheral above-ground park commenced construction. It is expected that major commercial infrastructure will see the completion of separate construction in the first quarter of this year. Besides, preliminary design plans for the metaverse integration, transformation, and upgrading of Topwin Center and the overall upgrading of Shimao Gongsan have also been proposed.

Connecting business clusters around CBD and the Liangma River

The international business cluster surely needs a proper and comfortable environment. This year, Chaoyang District will step up the upgrading of the environment, transportation, and internationalization of the Sanlitun Business District.

As a vital axis connecting the active business cluster in Sanlitun, Sanlitun Road is the key medium for the core business cluster to empower surrounding communities. This month, the slow-traffic system of Sanlitun Road will be launched, connecting the Liangma River International Waterfront in the north and Chaoyang North Road in the south, with a total length of about 2.5 kilometres.

This shady road presents a spatial layout of "one park, three sections, and multiple points". "One park" refers to a linear leisure park built by integrating the existing green land on both sides with Sanlitun Road and Sanlitun South Road as the main axis in the north-south direction. This park adjoins the Liangma River green belt and the CBD's central green space, greatly supplementing the green space system in Chaoyang District. "Three sections" refer to three functional areas, namely the embassy zone, commercial cluster, and residential area, from north to south. "Multiple points" are several vital nodes composed of green land and squares around places such as embassies and shopping centres in the area.

According to the plan, the motorways of Sanlitun Road will be increased from one to two, and the most magnificent bicycle lane in the woods will be built in the road section with favourable conditions. Service facilities will be added to some sections of the commercial cluster, such as outdoor internet-famous coffee kiosks.

A responsible person in Chaoyang District noted the slow-traffic system of Sanlitun Road will connect the Liangma River International Waterfront and CBD, and link business clusters such as Chaowai, CBD, SOLANA, and INDIGO, thus forming a coordinated development pattern and creating a fashionable international consumption experience area.

(Source: Beijing Daily)