Sanlitun Launch of iPad 2: Hipsters, Yuppies & Scalpers Brave Crowds

We popped by Sanlitun this morning to gawk at the crowds lined up at the Apple Store in The Village at Sanlitun to buy the iPad2, which officially launched in Beijing today.

As expected there was already a huge queue by mid-morning with hundreds more expected to come over the afternoon.

The usual scalpers are out in full force as well and are selling both the 16g and 32g models for around RMB 3,888 to RMB 4,800 respectively (the 16g wi-fi sells for RMB 3,688 and the 32g is RMB 4,488 in the store).

The Apple store has even prepared an overnight waiting room and wristbands for people in the queue. Customers are allowed to leave the premises for up to an hour (and submit their wristbands to the staff) before returning and being allowed their original place in line.

As of noon today the store still had all items in stock except for the white 16g model.

If all is else fails, you can always wait for the iPad3 (release date yet to be announced) - which is rumored to include a retina display, dual-core processor, better cameras and a 3D display.

If you want to buy online check out Apple Sanlitun's site

Photos by Josh Ong.