The concept of shopping malls redefined the idea of boring shopping for many. Instead it became a whole new entertaining experience giving rise to the trendy saying among youngsters especially, “lets crash the mall’. But amongst malls in question, what would really qualify as a mall unmatched by others in terms of size and architecture. These ten world’s largest shopping malls answer that question perfectly.
10New South China Mall, Dongguan, China
The New South China Mall in Dongguan, China is currently the world’s largest mall based on its area. With seven zones designed after international cities complete with a replica Arc de Triumph and canal with gondolas, the spectacular mall also has a roller coaster. The tragedy is that the mall is always empty and lacks customers ever since it opened in 2005. 99% of the stores in the mall are vacant which is why it has earned the nick name of ghost mall.
Img src: http://i2.cdn.cnn.com
9SM Megamall, Manila, Philippines
Now this is definitely not a ghost mall and is bustling with activity across all of its 5.5 million sq feet. Located in Mandaluyong City which is part of Manila, the SM Mall is the largest in the Philippines. It was inaugurated in 1991 and features an IMAX theater, skating rink and department stores with a 150,000 footfall every day.
Img src: http://static.thousandwonders.net
8Utama Shopping Center, Selangor, Malaysia
Located in Western Malaysia province of Selangor, the Utama Shopping center is an award winning mall that spans 5 million sq feet. It consists of 6 retail levels containing a total of 650 shops. The attractions in the mall consist of a tropical rainforest, a sky bridge and Asia’s largest rooftop garden.
Img src: http://thesmartlocal.com
7SM City North EDSA, Quezon City, Philippines
Among the world’s largest shopping malls is SM city North EDSA located in Quezon City, Philippines. It was opened in 1985 and measures over 5 million sq feet. It is home to 1100 shops and 400 dining establishments. Its parking space alone can hold 10,000 cars. The mall also contains a huge park and residential complex.
Img src: http://www.sminvestments.com
6Central World, Bangkok, Thailand
The largest shopping mall in Thailand, Central World opened in 1990 and measures 4.6 million sq feet. It promoted itself as a middle class shopping mall and was unfortunately set on fire by protestors last year. However the shopping mall was repaired and reopened in September and is 80% functional.
Img src: http://planetden.com
Istanbul Cevahir Shopping and Entertainment Center
The Istanbul Cevahir is Europe’s largest shopping center spread across 4.5 million sq feet. It contains 343 shops and 48 restaurants that include 34 fast food and 14 fine dining ones. The mall has an impressive 12 cinemas, a bowling rink and also a mini roller coaster.
Img src: http://resources.touropia.com
4Sunway Pyramid, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
A fancy mall designed with an exotic pyramid and a huge lion at its entrance, The Sunway Pyramid Mall is 4.1 million sq feet large and opened in 1997. Although smaller than the aforementioned malls in this list, it has a higher number of retail shops which numbers more than 800. The Egyptian inspired design is complete with hieroglyphics and pharaoh statues.
Img src: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/
3West Edmonton Mall, Canada
Although relatively smaller, we finally find a mall that can qualify to be among the largest situated outside Asia. The West Edmonton Mall in Canada measures 3.77 sq feet and is the largest in the Americas. It is also home to the world’s largest amusement park, the world’s largest indoor water park, an 18 hole miniature golf course, a movie theater, an Ice palace and a bowling alley.
Img src: http://resources.touropia.com
Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand
The Siam Paragon in Bangkok Thailand’s largest measuring 3.22 million sq feet. Among its features that include a large number of shops, its special features include the Siam Ocean world aquarium, the Thai art Gallery, a movie complex, large bowling alley and an opera concert hall.
Img src: http://static.asiawebdirect.com
1Berjaya Times Square, Kualalumpur, Malaysia
As one of the world’s largest shopping malls, this is really unique. With 7.5 million sq feet of built up area, the mall becomes the fifth largest building in the world. However its usable area is relatively smaller with 3.44 million sq feet. The mall contains two five star hotel, 1000 retail shops and 65 food joints. It is home to Asia’s largest indoor theme park, Cosmo’s World and an IMAX 2D and 3D theater which happens to be the first in Malaysia.
Img src: http://gowhere.my
10New South China Mall, Dongguan, China
The New South China Mall in Dongguan, China is currently the world’s largest mall based on its area. With seven zones designed after international cities complete with a replica Arc de Triumph and canal with gondolas, the spectacular mall also has a roller coaster. The tragedy is that the mall is always empty and lacks customers ever since it opened in 2005. 99% of the stores in the mall are vacant which is why it has earned the nick name of ghost mall.
Img src: http://i2.cdn.cnn.com
9SM Megamall, Manila, Philippines
Now this is definitely not a ghost mall and is bustling with activity across all of its 5.5 million sq feet. Located in Mandaluyong City which is part of Manila, the SM Mall is the largest in the Philippines. It was inaugurated in 1991 and features an IMAX theater, skating rink and department stores with a 150,000 footfall every day.
Img src: http://static.thousandwonders.net
8Utama Shopping Center, Selangor, Malaysia
Located in Western Malaysia province of Selangor, the Utama Shopping center is an award winning mall that spans 5 million sq feet. It consists of 6 retail levels containing a total of 650 shops. The attractions in the mall consist of a tropical rainforest, a sky bridge and Asia’s largest rooftop garden.
Img src: http://thesmartlocal.com
7SM City North EDSA, Quezon City, Philippines
Among the world’s largest shopping malls is SM city North EDSA located in Quezon City, Philippines. It was opened in 1985 and measures over 5 million sq feet. It is home to 1100 shops and 400 dining establishments. Its parking space alone can hold 10,000 cars. The mall also contains a huge park and residential complex.
Img src: http://www.sminvestments.com
6Central World, Bangkok, Thailand
The largest shopping mall in Thailand, Central World opened in 1990 and measures 4.6 million sq feet. It promoted itself as a middle class shopping mall and was unfortunately set on fire by protestors last year. However the shopping mall was repaired and reopened in September and is 80% functional.
Img src: http://planetden.com
Istanbul Cevahir Shopping and Entertainment Center
The Istanbul Cevahir is Europe’s largest shopping center spread across 4.5 million sq feet. It contains 343 shops and 48 restaurants that include 34 fast food and 14 fine dining ones. The mall has an impressive 12 cinemas, a bowling rink and also a mini roller coaster.
Img src: http://resources.touropia.com
4Sunway Pyramid, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
A fancy mall designed with an exotic pyramid and a huge lion at its entrance, The Sunway Pyramid Mall is 4.1 million sq feet large and opened in 1997. Although smaller than the aforementioned malls in this list, it has a higher number of retail shops which numbers more than 800. The Egyptian inspired design is complete with hieroglyphics and pharaoh statues.
Img src: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/
3West Edmonton Mall, Canada
Although relatively smaller, we finally find a mall that can qualify to be among the largest situated outside Asia. The West Edmonton Mall in Canada measures 3.77 sq feet and is the largest in the Americas. It is also home to the world’s largest amusement park, the world’s largest indoor water park, an 18 hole miniature golf course, a movie theater, an Ice palace and a bowling alley.
Img src: http://resources.touropia.com
Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand
The Siam Paragon in Bangkok Thailand’s largest measuring 3.22 million sq feet. Among its features that include a large number of shops, its special features include the Siam Ocean world aquarium, the Thai art Gallery, a movie complex, large bowling alley and an opera concert hall.
Img src: http://static.asiawebdirect.com
1Berjaya Times Square, Kualalumpur, Malaysia
As one of the world’s largest shopping malls, this is really unique. With 7.5 million sq feet of built up area, the mall becomes the fifth largest building in the world. However its usable area is relatively smaller with 3.44 million sq feet. The mall contains two five star hotel, 1000 retail shops and 65 food joints. It is home to Asia’s largest indoor theme park, Cosmo’s World and an IMAX 2D and 3D theater which happens to be the first in Malaysia.
Img src: http://gowhere.my
