Is Ikea ‘The Disney World of China’?

Travel Blog  •  Eva Holland  •  08.25.09 | 5:03 PM ET

Photo by Ian Muttoo via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Gawker is inexplicably bemused by an L.A. Times article about the Beijing Ikea, where—apparently this is a shock—locals go “just to hang out.” What, New Yorkers don’t like to lounge on the dining room sets with no intentions of buying? And here I thought that was something people worldwide could agree on.

Tags: Global Village, Shopping, Asia, China, Beijing, Shrinking Planet

Eva Holland is the senior editor of World Hum. Her writing has also appeared in the National Post, the Montreal Gazette, the Ottawa Citizen and WestJet's Up! Magazine, among other publications. She's based in Ottawa, Canada.


2 Comments for Is Ikea ‘The Disney World of China’?

Best Tourist Destination 08.25.09 | 10:02 PM ET

If its part of their culture then there’s nothing we can do about it, if im not mistaken Scandinavia also have this one. Correct me of im wrong

Diana 08.25.09 | 11:36 PM ET

It’s so true. I was also amazed when I moved to Beijing. They don’t just hang out at the Ikea, they nap on the bed, couches, futons for hours; bring tea and newspapers and pumpkin seeds and snack in the “kitchens”; and basically just spend a weekend there like Americans would at their in-laws’ house. On one hand, it’s a testament to how comfortable Ikea furniture is. On the other hand, maybe Beijing is just lacking in entertainment options.

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