In the realm of grandeur and opulence, the world’s largest shopping malls are more than just retail spaces; they are architectural marvels that merge the retail industry with global consumer experiences. Beyond offering a vast array of products, these malls serve as entertainment hubs, blending leisure and luxury seamlessly. This article takes you through the top 10 largest malls globally, exploring their expansive spaces and how technology enhances the overall shopping experience.
The New South China Mall in Dongguan, China, is the largest mall in the world with a gross leasable area of 6.46 million square feet. Despite its impressive size and features like replicas of global landmarks and an indoor-outdoor roller coaster, it has struggled with over 99% of its space remaining vacant since it opened in 2005, earning it the title of the largest “ghost mall” in the world. The Golden Resources Mall in Beijing, China, is the second-largest mall globally, covering 6 million square feet. In third place is CentralWorld in Bangkok, which spans 4.62 million square feet. Although CentralWorld was damaged during anti-government protests, it has since been repaired and reopened.
The biggest malls in the world hold profound significance as economic powerhouses, global tourist attractions, and architectural marvels. Beyond being retail and entertainment hubs, they showcase cutting-edge technology, foster community gathering, and catalyze real estate development. Integrating cultural elements, these mega malls become iconic symbols, leaving a lasting impact on the local economy and global perception, attracting visitors from around 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, followed by Golden Resources Mall, Central World and SM Mall of Asia.
Here is the 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 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 |
The top three largest malls in the world are big shopping complexes that feature extensive retail spaces, entertainment facilities, and dining options. These massive structures attract millions of visitors annually, offering a wide range of experiences beyond just shopping. Let’s know about the top-3 largest malls in the world in brief.
New South China Mall in Dongguan, China, holds the title of the world’s largest mall based on gross leasable area. Despite its grandeur featuring replicas of international landmarks and attractions like an indoor-outdoor roller coaster, the mall has struggled with a severe lack of occupants since its 2005 opening. Over 99% of its retail space remains vacant, earning it the nickname of the largest ghost mall globally.
The Golden Resources Mall in China, once the second-largest mall globally, surpassed only by the Mall of America, reigned from 2004 to 2005. Despite its colossal size, the mall faced challenges with sparse foot traffic, averaging as low as 20 shoppers per hour in 2004. Accessibility issues, coupled with unaffordable prices for ordinary Chinese consumers, and its location outside central Beijing, hindered its success.
Opened in 1990, Bangkok’s CentralWorld, the world’s third-largest mall, positioned itself as a middle-class shopping center, differentiating from the upscale Siam Paragon. Unfortunately, anti-government protests in May set the mall ablaze, causing the Zen department store to collapse. After extensive repairs, CentralWorld reopened on September 28, with 80% of its retail space operational.
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.
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.
The Golden Resources Mall in China, once the second-largest mall globally, surpassed only by the Mall of America, reigned from 2004 to 2005.
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.
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