Louis Vuitton's star-studded flagship opening signals luxury's confidence in China

Celebrities gathered for a star-studded grand opening of Louis Vuitton's flagship store in Beijing on Jan. 13. The newly revamped Taikoo Li Sanlitun retail destination is a clear demonstration of luxury brands' confidence in the Chinese market.

Jackson Wang, the pop icon and ambassador for Louis Vuitton, poses for a photo at the grand opening of Maison Louis Vuitton Sanlitun in Beijing, Jan. 13, 2026. Wang's critically acclaimed English album "Magic Man 2" will be released in Chinese mainland on Jan. 15. He is set for another Louis Vuitton show in Paris on Jan. 20 and will then begin his concert tour in the Americas starting March 31 in Los Angeles. [Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton]

Among those attending was internationally renowned actor Gong Li, pop superstar Jackson Wang and other high-profile entertainers such as Song Qian, Wang Hedi, Zhou Dongyu, Bai Jingting, Xu Minghao (The8), Zhong Chuxi, Nana Ouyang, Jin Chen, and table tennis star Wang Chuqin. Such names brought crowds of fans who packed the area outside the new Maison Louis Vuitton Sanlitun.

Following the stunning life-size cruise ship-shaped store in Shanghai, Louis Vuitton's latest statement retail project has officially landed in Beijing. The Maison Louis Vuitton Sanlitun, which soft-opened on Dec. 19, 2025 and then held its grand opening on Tuesday. It has fast become a new architectural wonder and Beijing landmark. The structure, designed by longtime brand collaborator Jun Aoki, interprets the brand's identity through a blend of poetic and technical sophistication.

The four-story Maison Louis Vuitton Sanlitun sets a new global benchmark with its glistening façade. The store front plays with form, light, and movement, embodying the brand's art of travel. It houses the brand's complete universe, from Women's and Men's ready-to-wear, all the way to leather goods, jewelry, shoes, perfumes, beauty, and accessories. The offering is further complemented by the new Maison Collection, which includes homeware, tableware, and the Depero textile capsule. Four private lounges offer a reserved place to serve VIC clients within the store.

The third floor is dedicated to the new Home collection, featuring furniture, textiles, and tableware lines. Le Café Louis Vuitton, the brand's first in Beijing, is located on the fourth floor. It offers a menu of Louis Vuitton classics and local flavors in a space that includes a private dining room and a rooftop bar.

The new Maison Louis Vuitton Sanlitun opened in Beijing. [Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton]

Louis Vuitton isn't the only fashion house expanding its presence in Beijing. Nearby, the House of Dior Beijing, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Christian de Portzamparc, and the new Tiffany & Co. flagship, created by the acclaimed Dutch firm MVRDV, have also opened their doors. Conveniently located within walking distance of the Maison Louis Vuitton Sanlitun, all three boutiques belong to the French luxury conglomerate LVMH.

Anticipating a market rebound, Louis Vuitton is set for a bold 2026. This mirrors the wider luxury trend of creating immersive, emotional spaces that go beyond shopping to attract visitors and forge lasting memories through experiences.

The Chinese mainland boasts nearly 70 Louis Vuitton stores as listed on their official website. The arrival of the new flagship store signifies a strong vote of confidence in the market. "The Chinese mainland market turned positive in Q3," Chief Financial Officer Cecile Cabanis told analysts during an earnings call in October 2025. "We are getting very close to stabilization. Chinese local demand is now growing mid- to high-single digits, and while Chinese travel purchases are still down double digits, they are improving significantly."

Since 2016, Taikoo Li Sanlitun has introduced over 300 high-quality debut and flagship stores. In 2025, its brand refresh was marked by the arrival of nearly 30 new stores, spanning fashion, sportswear, lifestyle, and more.

New additions to the northern section of the shopping area include Laodingfeng's fusion-focused sub-brand, FENG FULL's debut Chinese restaurant featuring traditional Cantonese dishes, San Qing Tan's elevated concept restaurant Tan Yue, Kyoto's boutique coffee brand Kurasu, and OROR by Fine, a popular Thai restaurant from Shanghai. In the south section, South Korean fashion brand Ader Error as well as the fragrance and beauty brand Tamburins will soon open their first northern China stores.

Celebrities pose for photos at the grand opening of Maison Louis Vuitton Sanlitun in Beijing, Jan. 13, 2026. [Photos courtesy of Louis Vuitton]

Adding another cultural layer to the area's renewal, internationally renowned artist Jaime Hayon has created a series of art installations titled "Travel Angel" for Taikoo Li Sanlitun. Positioned at various corners of the open-air streets, the works invite trendsetters to explore and discover new experiences.

These additions reinforce Taikoo Li Sanlitun's status as a fashion hub, boosting foot traffic and commercial vitality. The momentum is amplified by the three-year revamp of its northern district, which features a fluid, open-air layout celebrating pedestrian life. Aligned with government efforts to enhance urban vitality, the redevelopment plays a key role in Beijing's urban regeneration and ambition to become an international consumption hub.