

Top 10 Largest Shopping Malls Worldwide by Area
The Largest Mall in the World captivates visitors with its enormous size, variety of stores, and diverse experiences. These mega malls redefine shopping, offering entertainment, leisure, and global retail brands under one roof. Let’s explore which mall holds this impressive title, discover unique facts, and see how the top 10 biggest malls in the world compare.
Top 10 Biggest Malls in the World (2025 Ranking)
| Rank | Mall Name | Location | Opened | Total Retail Floor Area (sq. meters) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran Mall | Tehran, Iran | 2018 | 1,950,000 |
| 2 | New Century Global Center | Chengdu, China | 2013 | 1,700,000 |
| 3 | IOI City Mall | Selangor, Malaysia | 2014 | 821,000 |
| 4 | Isfahan City Center | Isfahan, Iran | 2012 | 776,500 |
| 5 | South China Mall | Dongguan, China | 2005 | 659,611 |
| 6 | SM Mall of Asia | Bay City, Philippines | 2006 | 589,891 |
| 7 | SM City Tianjin | Tianjin, China | 2016 | 565,000 |
| 8 | Golden Resources Mall | Beijing, China | 2004 | 557,419 |
| 9 | CentralPlaza WestGate | Nonthaburi, Thailand | 2015 | 550,278 |
| 10 | ICONSIAM | Bangkok, Thailand | 2018 | 525,000 |
The largest malls in the world combine incredible retail floor space and endless attractions. From Iran Mall’s grand architecture to New Century Global Center’s unique design in China, these malls are famous worldwide as dream destinations for shoppers and tourists alike.
Iran Mall: The Largest Mall in the World
The Iran Mall, located in Tehran, currently holds the record for the world’s largest mall by area. Stretching across a gigantic 1.95 million square meters, it is not just about shopping. The mall is a vibrant hub for entertainment, cultural events, dining, and more.
Seven floors house more than 2,500 stores, making it a shopper’s paradise.
Home to one of the world’s largest parking areas, accommodating over 20,000 vehicles.
Boasts grand halls, exhibition spaces, a sports complex, cinemas, libraries, and gardens.
Developed by Ayandeh Bank and designed by Ali Ansari.
Set several records, including the Guinness World Record for the longest concrete pour.
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Other Iconic Malls: A Look at the Top 10
While Iran Mall leads the rankings, other top 10 biggest malls in the world offer their unique features. For example, the New Century Global Center in Chengdu, China, is not only vast but also houses hotels, offices, and themed attractions. IOI City Mall in Malaysia is renowned for its eco-friendly design, while South China Mall is known for its impressive scale within Asia.
The largest mall in the US, the Mall of America, is celebrated for its theme parks and events but ranks lower globally by area.
Dubai Mall is famous for luxury, featuring an aquarium and ice rink, but is not the largest by square footage.
The largest mall in Asia is currently the Iran Mall, followed by other giant shopping centers in China, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Several malls have expanded over recent years—check the latest largest mall in the world 2025 rankings to compare.
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Amazing Facts About the Largest Mall in the World
The title of the largest mall in the world is fiercely competitive, with new mega malls opening in Asia and the Middle East. Here are some interesting facts and statistics:
Iran Mall’s total area is equivalent to **over 270 football fields**.
Malls like the New South China Mall in Dongguan once held the record before Iran Mall’s expansion.
Rankings can change quickly as more gigantic retail complexes are developed, especially across Asia.
Some malls, like IOI City Mall, continuously add new attractions to compete for the title of the **largest mall in the world by area**.
The concept of the mega-mall originated from combining shopping, leisure, and lifestyle under one massive roof.
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How the Largest Mall in the World Compares Globally
When comparing the largest mall in the world ranking with the top 20 or top 50, most of the biggest malls are located in Asia, especially in China, Iran, and Southeast Asia. Malls in the US, like the Mall of America, are notable for entertainment but are smaller by retail area. In India, the LuLu Mall in Kochi is the biggest, placing India on the global map of mega malls.
Top 10 and Top 20 biggest mall in the world lists change regularly as new malls open and expand.
The second largest mall in the world is New Century Global Center in China.
For 2022 and beyond, expect more mega malls in Asia to enter the global rankings.
Learn more about world records and rankings
As you have seen, the largest mall in the world is not just a shopping destination; it’s a symbol of modern architecture, culture, and entertainment. These mega complexes continue to evolve, drawing visitors from all over the globe. Stay curious and keep exploring more fascinating facts with Vedantu’s General Knowledge resources.
FAQs on Largest Mall in the World: Facts, Rankings & Important Details
1. What is the largest mall in the world?
The largest mall in the world is the New South China Mall, located in Dongguan, China. This mega-mall is recognized globally for its enormous size and urban impact.
- Gross Leasable Area (GLA): Over 7.1 million sq ft
- Location: Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China
- Key Features: 2,350+ stores, multiple themed sections, and entertainment zones
- Year Opened: 2005
2. Which mall is the biggest in the US?
Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota is the biggest mall in the United States by total area.
- Gross Leasable Area: 2.8 million sq ft (5.6 million sq ft total size)
- Key Attractions: Indoor amusement park, aquarium, and hundreds of stores
- Year Opened: 1992
3. Where is the second largest mall in the world?
The second largest mall in the world is the Golden Resources Mall, located in Beijing, China.
- Gross Leasable Area: 6 million sq ft
- Year Opened: 2004
- Features: Over 1,000 retail stores and spacious design
4. What are the top 5 largest malls in the world?
The top 5 largest malls in the world by gross leasable area (GLA) are:
- New South China Mall (Dongguan, China) – 7.1 million sq ft
- Golden Resources Mall (Beijing, China) – 6 million sq ft
- SM Mall of Asia (Pasay, Philippines) – 5.47 million sq ft
- SM Tianjin (Tianjin, China) – 5.47 million sq ft
- CentralWorld (Bangkok, Thailand) – 4.62 million sq ft
5. Is Dubai Mall the biggest in the world?
No, Dubai Mall is not the biggest in the world by gross leasable area. While Dubai Mall is famous for its total size and attractions, it is smaller than New South China Mall when measured by GLA.
- Dubai Mall (Dubai, UAE): Approx. 3.8 million sq ft of GLA
- New South China Mall (China): Over 7.1 million sq ft GLA
6. What is gross leasable area (GLA) in a mall?
Gross Leasable Area (GLA) refers to the total floor area within a shopping mall that is available for rent to tenants (shops and businesses).
- Excludes hallways, service areas, and utility spaces
- Used to rank the size of malls globally
7. What are the top 10 largest malls in the world?
The top 10 largest malls in the world by gross leasable area are:
- New South China Mall – China
- Golden Resources Mall – China
- SM Mall of Asia – Philippines
- SM Tianjin – China
- CentralWorld – Thailand
- SM City North EDSA – Philippines
- Isfahan City Center – Iran
- 1 Utama – Malaysia
- ICONSIAM – Thailand
- West Edmonton Mall – Canada
8. What makes a mall "mega" or "giga"?
Malls are called "mega" or "giga" when they have extremely large shopping and entertainment areas, often exceeding 2 million square feet of GLA.
- Contain hundreds of shops and multiple entertainment zones
- Offer attractions like theme parks, hotels, and convention centers
- Often serve as urban landmarks
9. What is the significance of mega-malls in urban areas?
Mega-malls play a crucial role in urban development by:
- Stimulating economic growth and creating employment
- Boosting tourism and city branding
- Providing community spaces for recreation and socializing
- Influencing real estate development and transport infrastructure
10. Which country has the most malls in the top 10 largest malls list?
China has the most malls featured in the top 10 largest malls list globally.
- Notable examples: New South China Mall, Golden Resources Mall, SM Tianjin
- This highlights China's rapid urbanization and retail boom



















