Third Beijing Store Planned, Near Tiananman Square

While speculators have been trying to identify what other cities in China might host a future Apple store, the company has finalized plans to open a third store in Beijing, in city center and less than a mile from historic Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Local sources say a street-level store will appear along Wangfujing Street, a mile-long, pedestrian-only collection of over 200 shops that include Chinese and international brands. The street’s retail history dates back to 1200, and it is now a major destination for locals and tourists. The existing Xidan Joy City Apple store is about a mile west of Tianman Square, while the Wangfujing location will be east of the square. The country’s first Apple store at Sanlitun is about 3½ miles northeast. The first China store was originally planned for Qianmen Street south of Wangfujing. However, sources say the Chinese government could not complete renovations on the street and surrounding infrastructure in time for an Apple store to open before the 2008 Olympics. As a result, Apple abandoned the location. Based on construction timelines, the new Wangfujing store could open in early 2013.