Modern shopping malls have evolved from their simple retail spaces. Today, the coolest malls in the world feature architectural marvels and entertainment complexes that offer experiences you can’t get from online shopping. Yup, we’re talking about malls with ski slopes and a whole waterpark inside! These are the 10 coolest malls in the world that you need to visit in your lifetime.
10. Canal City Hakata (Japan)
Canal City Hakata is a shopping complex located in Fukuoka, Japan, known for its scenic canal running throughout the mall. The design features an open-air atmosphere that’s largely covered with water features and architecture that feels like an outdoor space. The mall features multiple levels of shops and restaurants that overlook the central canal. There are water shows and performances in their plaza area that you can enjoy.
9. New Century Global Center (China)
Located in the Chinese city of Chengdu, the New Century Global Center claims to be the largest building in the world. This outrageous shopping center features a 53,000 square-foot beach with an artificial sea breeze. There’s also a reproduction of a Mediterranean village and an artificial sun that shines 24 hours a day. The mall offers retail spaces for offices, hotels, and entertainment venues all under one roof. That’s like a whole city!
8. The Bullring (England)
This mall, located in Birmingham, England, features “provocative architecture.” It’s home to the famous Selfridges department stores, with 15,000 spun aluminum discs and a blue background that illuminates the night to make it one of the strangest-looking stores in the world. It also has a unique ring shape, making it a landmark in Birmingham.
7. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (Italy)
The name of this mall in Milan is as fancy as the inside of the building. It’s Italy’s oldest shopping gallery with vaulted ceilings and glass domes. It’s home to the luxury Italian fashion labels of Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. You can also visit their decorated restaurant, like the famous Cafe Biffi, which was established in 1857. There’s also a spot for art lovers with its spinning of the bull of Turin for good luck, which is a mosaic bull found under the central dome of the mall.
6. Khan Shatyr (Kazakhstan)
The Khan Shatyr in Astana is known as the world’s largest tent designed by Foster and Partners. It’s home to many restaurants and stores, as well as an indoor park and waterpark. Designer Norman Foster is also the architect behind London’s Wembley Stadium and The Gherkin. The mall hangs from a central spire with a transparent, three-layer cover as insulation due to the country’s wide range of temperatures, from -21°C in winter up to 27°C in summer. There’s also a beach on the top level with water slides, beach volleyball courts, and sand flown from the Maldives.
5. Mall of the Emirates (UAE)
Mall of the Emirates in Dubai is an entertainment and shopping center. It spans 223,000 square meters with 450 retailers and a wide range of entertainment options like Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski destination in the Middle East. The mall also features a two-level Magic Planet, which is the largest indoor family entertainment center in the country. It’s complete with a 14-screen Cinestar Cinemas and the Dubai Community Arts and Theatre, which is a 500-seater theatre and art gallery. The mall also houses a large cinema complex with standard and IMAX screens.
4. Villagio Mall (Qatar)
Villaggio Mall in Doha, Qatar, is a Venetian-inspired shopping center with its 150-meter-long indoor canal. Their famous gondola ride will cruise you around the Gondolania Theme Park within the mall. It features activities like go-karting, bowling, and roller gliding. The ceiling also features a beautiful painting of the blue sky and clouds. Other features of the mall include an Olympic-sized skating rink, a wonderland for children, and a 13-screen luxury cinema.
3. Dubai Mall (UAE)
Located in the center of downtown Dubai, the Dubai Mall has 1,200 stores and 120 restaurants. The mall also features attractions like the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo with 33,000 sea creatures. There’s also an entertainment area for children called Kidzania. The Dubai Mall has a floor area of 5.9 million square feet, claiming to be the biggest shopping mall in the world.
2. West Edmonton Mall (Canada)
This mall, located in Edmonton, Alberta, is known to be one of the biggest malls in the world, with 800 shops of local and international brands. It even houses the World Water Park inside with a huge indoor pool, waves, and slides. The mall also has the Galaxyland Amusement Park with thrilling rides and carnival games. Other attractions include a Birds of Paradise where yoy paddle in a swan boat around the mall’s crystal blue lake. There’s also Professor WEM’s Adventure Golf course, with its unique 18-hole miniature golf course.
1. Mall of America (USA)
This shopping and entertainment complex is the largest shopping mall in North America. It features 520 retail stores and a restaurant with the nation’s biggest indoor theme park of 27 rides. There’s also an aquarium, a 4D immersive flight adventure, the USA’s longest indoor zipline, and an 18-hole mini golf course. What’s great about it is that there’s no sales tax on clothing and shoes in Minnesota, so you get to score on some bargains.