Last week we blogged about the launch of the iPad and this weekend the much anticipated iPhone4 hits stores in mainland China. Expect long lines and big crowds buying on the release date this Saturday, September 25. To add to the buzz, Beijing has a whole new Apple Store opening the same day in Xidan’s Joy City.

The iPhone will start at 4,999 RMB for the 16GB model and 5,999 RMB for the 32GB.

China Unicom will also be carrying the phone which can be purchased with a two year contract. Prices will depend on the specific plans and can be seen on their website and translated website.  The phone (with plan) can be preordered on the website as well.

As blogged in the Wall Street Journal yesterday this launch marks the quickest turnaround time between a US Apple release date and its subsequent China market release.  This iPhone comes to China a mere three months after coming out in the US, a drastic change from the original iPhone which was never officially launched here, and the iPhone 3G which was released a whopping two years and four months after its US counterpart!

For those who have already grabbed an iPhone4 from the grey market, a new iPhone5 is already hitting the Chinese market, via the internet. As blogged by Beijing Daze this hot item promises “A 4G phone, slim profile, [it]can cook breakfast, open a bottle of wine and even cook the perfect pizza.”

Beijing’s new Apple Store opens at 8am this Saturday (September 25) and is located at B1, B2 & F1, Joy City, 131 North Xidan Avenue, Xidan District. Usual hours will be: 10am-10pm, Mon-Fri; 9.30am-10pm, Sat-Sun.