Beijing released the general planning of the construction of the new Sanlitun area officially on September 21. By the second half of next year, Sanlitun will no longer be the simple bar street it is today, but an entertainment-cum culture functional area involving shopping malls, hotels, bars, and arts and crafts shops.

The new Sanlitun will be located in the second embassy area in Chaoyang District in Beijing, with the south to Gong Ti Bei Road, and the north to Dong Zhi Men Wai Street. Surrounded by 77 embassies and more than 50 multinationals, it is suggested to play an important role in all kinds of celebration activities.

The new area will cover 170,000 square meters, with 52,600 square meters for culture and arts blocks.

The east part of the new Sanlitun area will still be the bar street including the Boys&Girls and other famous bars. The west part is divided into two sections by the "3.3" building, the north section being courtyards covering many top-brand flagship shops and 120 characteristic hotels, and the south section being plazas and alleys dotted with restaurants and bars suitable for young consumers from 18 to 35.
 
(Chinanews.cn September 26, 2006)