Largest Mall in the World

Largest Mall in the World: The world’s largest shopping malls are architectural wonders that combine the retail sector with international consumer experiences, transcending the realm of grandeur and richness beyond simple retail spaces. In addition to providing a wide range of goods, these malls function as sites for entertainment, skillfully fusing luxury and leisure.

This article walks you through the world’s ten biggest malls, highlighting their vast areas and the ways in which technology improves the whole shopping experience.

World’s Largest Mall 2024

The New South China Mall in Dongguan, China, is the largest mall globally, covering a vast 6.46 million sq ft of leasable space. Despite its impressive size, which includes replicas of famous landmarks and even an indoor-outdoor roller coaster, the mall has faced challenges since it opened in 2005. More than 99% of its retail space remains vacant, earning it the title of the world’s largest ghost mall.

Following closely as the second-largest mall worldwide is the Golden Resources Mall in Beijing, China, with a size of 6 million sq ft. Meanwhile, Bangkok’s CentralWorld, ranking as the third-largest mall globally at 4.62 million sq ft, experienced disruptions during anti-government protests. However, after significant repairs, it has since reopened.

Significance of Largest Malls in the World

The biggest malls in the world provide more than simply entertainment and shopping. They are important economic hubs that attract tourists from all over the world and stand out as remarkable architectural feats. Beyond just being hubs for shopping and entertainment, these mega malls embrace cutting-edge technology, promote neighbourhood connections, and spur the development of surrounding real estate. These enormous retail centres become icons that have a lasting impact on local economies and global perception by fusing cultural elements. These shopping centres attract visitors from all around the world, making them genuinely famous locations.

List of Top-10 Largest Malls in the World

Largest Malls in the World
S. No.	Malls	Location	Area (sq.feet)
1.	New South China Mall	Dongguan, China	6.46 million
2.	Golden Resources Mall	Beijing, China	6.0 million
3.	Central World	Bangkok, Thailand	4.06 million
4.	SM Mall of Asia	Manila, Philippines	4.2 million
5.	Dubai Mall	Dubai, UAE	3.77 million
6.	West Edmonton Mall	Edmonton, Canada	3.77 million
7.	SM Megamall	Manila, Philippines	3.6 million
8.	Istanbul Cevahir	Istanbul, Turkey	3.47 million
9.	Berjaya Times Square	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	3.44 million
10.	Siam Paragon	Bangkok, Thailand	3.22 million

Largest Mall in the World – New South China Mall

Location	Dongguan, China
Area	6.46 million sq ft
Opened	2005

• The biggest mall in the world is in Dongguan, China. It’s called the New South China Mall. This mall is really big because of the space you can use for shops. It has different parts that look like cities from other countries. For example, it has a copy of the Arc de Triomphe and a fake canal with boats like in Venice. There’s even a roller coaster that goes inside and outside the mall.

• But, here’s the problem – not many people go there. Since it opened in 2005, the mall has had a hard time getting stores to set up shop. Most of the stores are empty, more than 99% of them! The only part of the mall where people are is near the entrance. That’s where you can find some Western fast food places. People call this mall the biggest ghost mall because it’s so empty.

Second Largest Mall in the World – Golden Resources Mall

Location	Beijing, China
Area	6.0 million sq ft
Opened	2004

Golden Resources Mall in China was the biggest shopping mall in the world from 2004 to 2005, and it’s 1.5 times larger than the Mall of America. The person who built the mall thought that 50,000 people would come to shop every day, but in 2004, only about 20 people were coming in an hour.

One big issue was that the things sold in the mall were too expensive for most regular Chinese people. Also, it was not easy for people from other countries to get to the mall because it was not in the main part of Beijing. So, not many people could go there, and that made it hard for the mall to be successful.

Third Largest Mall in the World – Central World

Location	Bangkok, Thailand
Area	4.06 million sq ft
Opened	1990

CentralWorld, a big shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand, opened in 1990. It is the largest mall in Thailand with eight floors. The mall wanted to attract middle-class shoppers, unlike another mall called Siam Paragon, which was focused on upper-class customers.

On May 19th of this year, there were protests against the government, and CentralWorld was one of the places that got set on fire. The fire lasted for two days, and part of the mall, called the Zen department store, collapsed because of the fire. After a few months of fixing and repairing, the mall opened again on September 28th. About 80% of the stores were ready for business again.

Fourth Largest Mall in the World – SM Mall of Asia

Location	Manila, Philippines
Area	4.2 million sq ft
Opened	2006

The SM Mall of Asia in Metro Manila, Philippines, opened in 2006. It has four buildings that are connected by walkways. Here are some cool things about the mall:

1. Tram Ride: There’s a tram with 20 seats that takes people around the mall. It helps shoppers move easily from one place to another.
2. IMAX Theater: The mall has a special movie theater called IMAX. It has one of the world’s biggest 3D screens, providing an amazing movie experience.
3. Ice Skating Rink: One of the main attractions is a big ice skating rink. It’s as big as the ones used for the Olympics! People can enjoy recreational skating or take part in competitive figure skating and even ice hockey. It’s a fun place for everyone!

Fifth Largest Mall in the World – Dubai Mall (3.77 million sq ft)

Location	Dubai, UAE
Area	3.77 million sq ft
Opened	2008

The Dubai Mall is part of the Burj Khalifa complex, which is the tallest man-made structure ever built. The mall is really huge – it’s over 12 million square feet, which is about the size of more than 50 soccer fields. It’s the biggest shopping mall globally when you look at the total area, even though it’s similar in size to the West Edmonton Mall when considering the leasable space.

Inside the Dubai Mall, there’s a lot to see and do:

1. Shops: There are more than 1,200 shops, including the world’s largest candy store.
2. Entertainment: You can find an ice rink, a SEGA game center with a 3D bowling game, and even a 5-star luxury hotel.
3. Cinemas: There are 22 screens for movies, providing a great cinema experience.
4. Dining: With 120 restaurants and cafes, there’s a wide variety of food to choose from.
5. Aquarium: The mall also boasts one of the largest aquariums in the world, offering a chance to see a diverse range of marine life.

Sixth Largest Mall in the World – West Edmonton Mall

Location	Edmonton, Canada
Area	3.77 million sq ft
Opened	1981

The West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, used to be the biggest shopping mall from 1981 to 2004, and it’s still the largest mall in the Americas. Here are some interesting things about it:

1. Stores and Services: The mall has around 800 stores and services, providing a wide range of options for shoppers.
2. Amusement Park: Inside the mall, there’s the biggest indoor amusement park globally, offering exciting rides and attractions.
3. Waterpark: It also features the largest indoor waterpark in the world, providing a fun experience with water slides and pools.
4. Ice Palace: While not the biggest in the world, the mall has an Ice Palace, a scaled-down version of a regulation-sized NHL ice rink, allowing for ice-related activities.
5. Additional Attractions: There’s more to enjoy, including an 18-hole miniature golf course, a movie theater, and a bowling alley, making it a great place for entertainment and shopping all in one.

Seventh Largest Mall in the World – SM Megamall

Location	Manila, Philippines
Area	3.6 million sq ft
Opened	1991

SM Megamall, which opened in 1991 in Metro Manila, is one of the biggest malls in the Philippines. The mall attracts a lot of people every day – around 800,000 visitors! It can hold a maximum of 4 million people, showing how popular it is. SM Megamall has two main buildings. Building A has cinemas, a bowling alley, food courts, and the Toy Kingdom. Building B is where you’ll find the retail shops. There’s a bridgeway connecting the two main buildings, and it has several places to eat. Right now, the mall is going through some big changes. It’s getting a major renovation and expansion. Once it’s done, it will become the largest shopping mall in the Philippines, claiming the top spot.

Eighth Largest Mall in the World – Istanbul Cevahir

Location	Istanbul, Turkey
Area	3.47 million sq ft
Opened	2005

The Cevahir Shopping and Entertainment Centre, situated on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey, opened in 2005. It holds the title of the largest shopping mall in Europe. Here’s a glimpse of what you can find there:

1. Shops and Restaurants: The mall boasts 343 shops, including 34 fast food restaurants and 14 exclusive dining places.
2. Entertainment: There’s a lot more than just shopping. The center features a large stage for events, 12 cinemas for movies, a bowling hall for bowling enthusiasts, and even a small roller coaster for some thrilling fun.
3. Facilities: In addition to the shopping and entertainment options, there are several other facilities to enjoy, making it a diverse and exciting destination for visitors.

Ninth Largest Mall in the World – Berjaya Times Square

Location	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Area	3.44 million sq ft
Opened	2003

Berjaya Times Square, found in Kuala Lumpur, is a twin tower complex that includes a shopping center and two five-star hotels. Here are some key features of this impressive structure:

1. Size: The complex covers a massive 7.5 million square feet (700,000 m²) of built-up floor area, making it the fifth largest building globally.
2. Shopping Mall: The shopping mall within Berjaya Times Square boasts more than 1,000 retail shops, providing a wide variety of choices for shoppers.
3. Food Outlets: With 65 food outlets, visitors can enjoy a diverse range of dining options.
4. Entertainment Attractions: The mall is not just about shopping and dining; it also offers several entertainment attractions. Notably, it houses Asia’s largest indoor theme park called Cosmo’s World, providing a fun experience for all ages. Additionally, there’s Malaysia’s first-ever IMAX 2D & 3D theater located on the 10th floor, offering an immersive cinematic experience.

Tenth Largest Mall in the World – Siam Paragon

Location	Bangkok, Thailand
Area	3.22 million sq ft
Opened	2005

1. Size: While not the largest, it is still a sizable mall in Thailand, offering a vast shopping and entertainment experience.
2. Stores and Restaurants: The mall features a diverse range of specialty stores and restaurants, providing plenty of options for shoppers and diners.
3. Entertainment: Siam Paragon is not just about shopping; it also offers various entertainment attractions. These include a multiplex movie theater for film enthusiasts, the Siam Ocean World aquarium for aquatic enthusiasts, the Thai Art Gallery for art lovers, and an opera concert hall for music enthusiasts.
4. Recreation: For those looking for some active fun, the mall has a large bowling alley for bowling enthusiasts and a karaoke center for those who enjoy singing. This makes it a destination that caters to a wide range of interests.

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FAQs on Largest Mall in the World

Which is the largest mall in the world?

New South China Mall of China, with the total area of 6.46 million square feet, holds the title of the largest mall in the world.

Which is the second largest mall in the world?

The Golden Resources Mall in China, once the second-largest mall globally, surpassed only by the Mall of America, reigned from 2004 to 2005.

Name the top-5 largest malls in the world.

The top-5 largest malls in the world are: New South China Mall, Golden Resources Mall, Central World, SM Mall of Asia and Dubai Mall.

Which is the biggest mall in India?

Lulu International Shopping Mall, Kochi. LuLu Mall in Kochi is the largest mall in India, offering 225+ outlets, 100+ new brands, a vast hypermarket, a 2,500-seat food court, 11 fine dining restaurants, and 6 cafes.

Which is the third largest mall in the world?

CentralWorld, a big shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand is the third largest mall in the world. It was opened in 1990. It is the largest mall in Thailand with eight floors.