The place is not that far away from many major areas of Beijing. Does the writer think that every foreign person who might shop would live near Dawang Lu?The place is ten minutes away from Wangjing, and about five minutes from the Shunyi villa areas. Place there is a subway just down the street. I don't get all the talk of it being a far away location.
You must be thinking of Scitech Outlets - there is no subway station near Surprise Outlets.
It is sort of out in the sticks (beside the 2nd airport expressway), so those without a car might find it more of an adventure getting there.