China, Huge crowds gather for Apple Store grand opening in Hangzhou

Apple has opened the doors to its new West Lake Apple Store in China today, letting throngs of eager customers into one of the company's largest retail outlets in Asia.

As promised earlier this week, Apple officially started sales at the West Lake Apple Store in Hangzhou, the first of five Chinese outlets to slated to open ahead of the Chinese New Year on Feb. 19.

The grand opening was celebrated by Apple CEO Tim Cook, who posted a rare tweet to mark the occasion.

"Starting Something New in Hangzhou, China!" Cook's tweet read, followed by the hashtag #AppleStoreWestLake. Cook seldom uses his social networking account to promote newly opened Apple Stores, but the Hangzhou location is an important first step in extending the company's reach into mainland China.


Last week, Apple SVP of Retail Angela Ahrendts reveals plans to open five Chinese stores before the Chinese New Year, the first being West Lake. Ahrendts' announcement is in line with Apple's lofty goal of opening 25 retail locations in China by the end of 2016.