Shopping malls used to be the place people go to shop. But today, these commercial complexes are often much more than that. Gan Tian tracks the lifestyle changes.

Liu Sun, a 16-year-old student, is in the midst of preparing for his final examinations. The 28-year-old single woman Xie Hong meets up with her "BFFs", or "best friends forever" whenever she is free. Wang Yuandong, 35, is a devoted mother of a young daughter and 37-year-old public relation director Zhao Xun has to bring in new accounts at this time of the year. And after working all his life, 63-year-old retiree Sun Jianguo now spends his time playing chess, feeding birds and looking after some plants.

Sanlitun Village is a landmark of Beijing's CBD. [Photo / China Daily]

 

Although the five individuals are total strangers, live in different parts of Beijing and have different lifestyles, their paths cross at Beijing's Sanlitun Village - a dynamic shopping mall, which has turned into a landmark in the city's CBD.

Student Liu Sun decided to take a break to watch the latest blockbuster Lost In Thailand at the cinema in the basement of the shopping mall.

"It costs me less than 30 yuan ($4.80) for a student ticket," he says.

Xie is with her four BFFs at Element Fresh restaurant, enjoying a brunch set. "This makes me feel like a scene out of Sex and the City. We do this every weekend," she says with a smile.

Wang is there because her daughter can play at the McDonald's indoor playground.

"My husband and I bring her here frequently, especially during summer. There is also a fountain at the outdoor plaza, where a lot of kids at her age meet and play together," she says.

"It has become our weekend routine."

Businessman Zhao is at Sanlitun Village to meet a client at a boutique hotel a five-minute walk away, while senior citizen Sun, who lives in an old compound nearby, enjoys strolling inside the mall because "it is too cold outside".

 

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