New Apple store in Bao' an draws huge crowds

Video and photos by Yao Chonghao & Chen Xiaochun 

Apple opened its new retail store in Bao’an District at 10 a.m. Saturday, drawing long queues of customers. The most dedicated fans began queuing as early as 8 a.m. Friday — a full 26 hours before opening — with many camping overnight to secure their spot.  

People take photos and wait outside the Apple Uniwalk Qianhai before the grand opening on Saturday. Photos by Yao Chonghao, Chen Xiaochun

Located in the Uniwalk Qianhai, this marks Apple's third store in Shenzhen and the fifth in Guangdong Province. By opening time, the store was greeted by massive crowds of excited Apple enthusiasts, all eager to experience the new location's innovative design and cutting-edge technology demonstrations. 

Customers wait outside Apple Uniwalk Qianhai on Saturday morning, some having lined up the night before.

Wu Yang, 16, was the first in line, arriving at 8 a.m. Friday. He came all the way from Ningbo specifically for this opening. “Because I knew this store's launch ceremony would be different from others. Besides, this location features many new design elements.”

Wu Yang (L3 wearing a mask), 16, is the first in line, arriving at 8 a.m. Friday. He ytraveled all the way from Ningbo for the opening.

By Friday evening, the line had already swelled to several hundred. Hong Yiyuan, 18, arrived at the mall around 4:20 a.m. Saturday, becoming the 560th person in line. This 18-year-old Bao’an resident had already visited two other Apple stores in Shenzhen, located in Holiday Plaza in Nanshan District and MixC Shenzhen in Luohu District, respectively.

Yang Zhen (L), an 18-year-old Bao’an resident, and 15-year-old Xiao Yuze from Hubei wait eagerly for the opening of the store. 

Yang Zhen, another 18-year-old Bao’an resident, arrived earlier at 5 p.m. on Friday, and spent the night in the mall’s dedicated area. Yang said that with the new store, he no longer needs to travel to Nanshan for Apple products.

“This store is different from the other two at Yitian Holiday Plaza and Luohu MixC. The space features solid wood interiors, and the glass wall gives it a distinctive Apple look. I actually prefer this one because its overall design feels completely fresh and innovative,” said Yang.

Along with Yang Zhen was his 15-year-old online friend Xiao Yuze from Xiaogan, Hubei, who arrived in Shenzhen on Friday.

Xiao said he admires Apple not only for its products, but also for its inclusive corporate culture and humanistic care. “For instance, it has offered the disabled many job opportunities,” he said.

After visiting the store, Xiao said that he noticed the accessible entrance design here, which truly reflects Apple's human-centric approach to inclusivity.

A massive crowd gathers outside Apple’s new Uniwalk Qianhai store ahead of its highly anticipated grand opening on Saturday morning.

Fan, a 15-year-old boy, came all the way from Shanghai for the opening of the new outlet. A nine-year Apple user, he arrived at 11:30 a.m. Friday and was the fifth in line. He has “Apple Friends” all over China, and likes to participate in the openings of different Apple retail stores with them when free.

Ma Shaojun traveled from Zhengzhou, Henan for the event. He arrived at 2 p.m. Friday. “This is actually my second Apple Store opening — I attended the Hefei launch earlier this year. At 42, I might be one of the older attendees here; most others seem to be in their 20s, practically kids to me! I came to experience the atmosphere and Apple’s cultural vibe.”

Ma said that he wasn't into these sorts of events a decade ago. But after attending the Hefei opening in January, he got hooked on the electric atmosphere of these launches.

Customers enter Apple Uniwalk Qianhai to enthusiastic cheers and high-fives from staff on opening day.

The store adopts Apple’s “Vintage E” design concept. Shenzhen has three Apple stores, each with a distinct style, reflected in many small design details, according to Ma. 

“This one has a Vision Pro demo area, and its logo has a frosted texture. The biggest takeaway from this visit is how happy I feel — it’s like a ‘Spring Festival’ for Apple fans, a celebration for Apple users. Whenever a new store opens, it’s a chance to gather with friends from all over. Some of us already knew each other online, and during my first event, we joined various fan groups — self-organized communities.

Customers explore products at the new store, eager to experience the latest Apple offerings.

More photos:

Staff members pump up the excitement with cheers just before the store opens its door.

Customers pose for a photo for Shenzhen Daily reporters inside the new store.

Apple staff warmly greet customers, offering a welcoming atmosphere on the store’s opening day.

A staff member warmly greets a disabled customer on the store’s opening day. 

A customer snaps a photo with his Tim Cook-themed phone, celebrating the Apple opening.