
Top 10 Biggest Shopping Malls in the World in 2025
By ICON TEAM | Published on Apr 15, 2025

List Of Top 10 Biggest Shopping Malls in the World in 2025:
Originally serving as retail centers, shopping malls have developed into expansive complexes that combine entertainment, business, and cultural activities. In 2025, the biggest shopping centers in the globe will be architectural wonders, major economic hubs, and popular destinations for tourists, drawing millions of people each year. With their immense size and wide range of products, these mega-malls, which are ranked by Gross Leasable Area (GLA) or total floor area when appropriate, are revolutionizing the shopping experience. The top ten largest shopping centers in the world for 2025 are examined in depth below; each is a monument to grandeur and ingenuity.
1. Iran Mall – Tehran, Iran:
The Iran Mall in northwest Tehran, which occupies an incredible 21 million square feet, is the largest retail mall in the world as of 2025. Few other complexes combine shopping, culture, and leisure like this enormous one, which will be finished with its second phase in 2022. It has more than 2,500 stores and sells everything from local craft goods to premium brands. In addition to retail space, the mall boasts a typical Persian market, a rooftop garden spanning 150,000 square feet, a comprehensive library including 60,000 volumes, and entertainment options such as a movie theater, sports facilities, and an ice skating rink. Its architecture, which features arches and domes influenced by Iranian Islamic design, combines modernity and antiquity in a way that makes it a world-renowned destination for tourists and shopping alike.
2. IOI City Mall – Putrajaya, Malaysia:
After its second phase opened in 2022, IOI City Mall in Putrajaya, Malaysia, which has a total area of over 8.84 million square feet, secured its position as the largest mall in Southeast Asia. With more than 650 locations, this retail behemoth offers both local and international brands to suit a wide range of tastes. Among its most notable features are two Olympic-sized ice skating rinks, a "indoor living planet" edutainment area, and District 21, an amusement park with a post-apocalyptic theme. The mall's combination of dining, shopping, and family-friendly entertainment has made it a must-visit location in the area, drawing in about 100,000 visitors every day.
3. New South China Mall – Dongguan, China:
According to GLA, the New South China Mall is the biggest mall in China, with 7.1 million square feet, compared to 6.46 million square feet. When it first opened in 2005, it battled with poor occupancy and was dubbed the "ghost mall." However, it was reinvigorated by renovations in the late 2010s, and by 2025, it has about 2,300 retailers and over 90% occupancy. The mall's distinctive design includes seven themed areas featuring reproductions of famous structures like the Arc de Triomphe that are modeled after cities like Paris, Venice, and Amsterdam. Gondola rides, an IMAX theater, and an indoor-outdoor roller coaster are just a few of the entertainment options that make it a bustling center for leisure and commerce.
4. Isfahan City Center – Isfahan, Iran:
The 2012-opened Isfahan City Center is the fourth largest in the world with a GLA of more than 7 million square feet. With over 750 stores, a five-star hotel, and a World Trade Center, this mixed-use complex blends shopping, hospitality, and entertainment. In order to provide a varied experience, visitors can explore an indoor theme park that includes roller coasters, a museum, and a hypermarket. It stands out in Iran's retail scene thanks to its exquisite architecture and fusion of cultural aspects, attracting both residents and tourists from abroad looking for luxury and adventure.
5. SM Mall of Asia – Manila, Philippines:
The SM Mall of Asia, which is 6.3 million square feet in size and is ranked fifth, is situated in Pasay, Philippines. With more than 1,000 retailers and 200 eateries, it opened in 2006 and welcomes about 200,000 visitors every day. Highlights of the mall include the MOA Eye Ferris Wheel, which offers breathtaking views of Manila Bay, an Olympic-sized ice skating rink, and an IMAX theater with one of the biggest 3D displays in the world. Its four connected structures and waterfront promenade with interactive fountains combine shopping, entertainment, and natural beauty to create a vibrant setting.
6. Golden Resources Mall – Beijing, China:
The Golden Resources Mall, sometimes referred to as the "Great Mall of China," is 6 million square feet in size and was the largest mall in the world from 2004 to 2005. It is situated close to Beijing's Fourth Ring Road and has more than 750 retailers spread across six levels that sell home furnishings, technology, and luxury brands. With the introduction of the Beijing Subway in 2012, the mall's accessibility improved after initially being hindered by its location and expensive costs. With extra features like a skating rink, movie theater, and musical fountain, it flourishes by 2025 and becomes one of China's top shopping destinations.
7. CentralWorld – Bangkok, Thailand:
With a gross leas area of 5.9 million square feet, Bangkok's CentralWorld is the biggest mall in Thailand and the sixth largest in the world. Originally opened in 1990 and enlarged in 2006, it now has two hotels, a 21-screen movie theater, and more than 600 retailers. Even though the mall suffered arson damage during the 2010 political riots, it has largely recovered and is still a middle-class shopping destination in contrast to the nearby affluent Siam Paragon. Bangkok's New Year's Eve countdown is one of the events held in CentralWorld Square, the city's largest outdoor activity area, which enhances its cultural significance.
8. ICONSIAM – Bangkok, Thailand:
ICONSIAM, Bangkok's 5.65 million-square-foot complex along the Chao Phraya River, comes in ninth place. This $1.5 billion mixed-use development, which opened in 2018, has more than 1,000 retailers, including the first Apple Store in Thailand. A riverfront park, a heritage museum, and an indoor floating market are some of its distinctive features. With brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton, ICONSIAM's opulent ICONLUXE wing appeals to affluent consumers, and in 2025, its stunning architecture and riverfront location will make it a popular tourist and local destination.
9. SM City Tianjin – Tianjin, China:
SM City Tianjin is the second-biggest mall in China and the ninth largest in the world, with a gross leas area of 5.65 million square feet. It is run by SM Prime Holdings and consists of five different buildings with the Chinese elements of Earth, Fire, Water, Metal, and Wood as their themes. With about 2,500 stores, it provides a wide range of domestic and international brands in addition to leisure alternatives like indoor play spaces and a movie theater. It continues to be a major retail hub in northern China thanks to its advantageous location and extensive amenities.
10. The Dubai Mall – Dubai, United Arab Emirates:
The Dubai Mall, which occupies 5.4 million square feet and has a GLA of 3.8 million square feet, completes the top 10. With more than 1,200 retailers, it opened in 2008 and welcomes more than 80 million visitors a year. In addition to shopping, it has top-notch attractions including the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, a virtual reality park, an Olympic-sized ice rink, and vistas of the Burj Khalifa. Set against breathtaking architecture, its fusion of luxury brands, mainstream retail, and entertainment cements its place as a global retail classic in 2025.
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