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Top 10 Biggest Malls in China: A Complete Shopping Guide

Written by Wendy Mo |

When traveling to China, except for sightseeing, you can also enjoy a wonderful shopping experience. While most cities are paired with large shopping malls, there are some incredibly big and dazzling sites. These hubs provide great opportunities for shopping, dining, and enjoying various activities. This article will introduce the top 10 biggest malls in China, where you can meet all types of branded stores and take a glimpse of locals’ everyday life.

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List of Biggest Malls in China (by Total Floor Area)

Rank
Mall

(English Name)

City
Total Floor Area

(approx)

Opening Year
Highlight / Unique Feature
1
New Century Global Center
Chengdu
1,760,000 ㎡
2013
The world’s largest single building.

Indoor beach, waterpark, ice rink, giant LED sky ceiling

2
South China Mall
Dongguan
1,190,000 ㎡
2005
Former world’s largest mall. IMAX GT cinema
3
Golden Eagle World
Nanjing
918,000 ㎡
2019
The world’s tallest three-tower connected building.

Health center.

4
Uniwalk (Yifang City)
Shenzhen
880,000 ㎡
2017
Centralized tax refund points.
5
Wushang Dream Mall
Wuhan
800,000+ ㎡
2022
One of the world’s biggest pure retail complexes.

Wushang Dream Park.

6
Jinyuan Mall
Beijing
680,000 ㎡
2004
Legendary Beijing megamall (once Asia’s largest)
7
Eurasia Shopping Mall
Changchun
600,000 ㎡
2000
The world’s largest retail shopping center.

Northeast China’s major retail landmark

8
Global Harbor
Shanghai
480,000 ㎡
2013
European architectural style
9
Grandview Mall
Guangzhou
420,000 ㎡
2005
Museum + Botanical garden + Lantern Festival
10
Nanxiang Incity MEGA
Shanghai
340,000 ㎡
2020
Large lifestyle and entertainment space+Botanical garden

Top 10 Biggest Shopping Malls in China

1. New Century Global Center (新世纪环球中心)– 1.76M sqm

  • Total Area: 1,760,000 sqm
  • Located in: Chengdu
  • Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Best for: First-time visitors, families, landmark experience
  • Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Experience Index: 9.5/10

The New Century Global Center is the world’s biggest standalone building by floor space. Rather than a traditional mall, it functions more like a self-contained “town,” even larger than the Forbidden City in Beijing. Inside, you can see a mix of retailers, hotels, offices, and indoor entertainment.

Ond of the highlight is the Paradise Island Water Park. It is one of the biggest indoor artificial seas in the world featurs a giant LED “sky ceiling” that simulates daylight. This spot will truly make you feel like you’re in a coastal town.

In addition, you can also enjoy an ice rink, cinemas, and countless dining options in this giant mall.

Chengdu New Century Global Center
Chengdu New Century Global Center

Related Reading: Chengdu Shopping Guide

2. South China Mall (华南Mall)– 1.19M sqm

  • Total Area: 1,190,000 sqm
  • Located in: Dongguan
  • Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (approx.). Each section has different opening hours.
  • Best for: Curious visits, photography
  • Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐
  • Experience Index: 7/10

South China Mall was once the largest mall in the world, and it has seen its highs and lows in the past 20 years. Although it struggled with low occupancy in the past, it has gradually revitalized with improvements in cinemas, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Its themed districts inspired by Venice, Paris, and Amsterdam, have also become its unique features. Now, it remains one of the most interesting mega-mall cases in China. If you’re a film lover, don’t miss the chance to see a film in its IMAX GT movie hall.

Dongguan South China Mall
Dongguan South China Mall

3. Golden Eagle World (GE·WORLD) (金鹰世界)– 918,000 sqm

  • Total Area: 918,000 sqm
  • Located in: Nanjing
  • Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM(Sun.-Thurs.), 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Fri.-Sat.)
  • Best for: Shopping + lifestyle
  • Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Experience Index: 8/10

Golden Eagle World is the world’s tallest three-tower connected building. It’s a modern large-scale complex combining luxury retail, offices, hotels, and entertainment, and what’s more, there’s even an 80,000-square-meter medical and health center in Tower C. Compared to other malls, except for a luxury shopping experience, it also allows you to enjoy a futuristic lifestyle.

Nanjing Golden Eagle World
Nanjing Golden Eagle World

4. Uniwalk Shopping Mall (Yifang City) (壹方城)– 880,000 sqm

  • Total Area: 880,000 sqm
  • Located in: Shenzhen
  • Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM(Mon.-Thurs.) 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Fri.-Sun.)
  • Best for: Lifestyle, young travelers
  • Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Experience Index: 8.5/10

The first thing you’ll notice when exploring Uniwalk (Yifang City) is its critical location. It only takes 25-30 min to connect to Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. It is one of Shenzhen’s most popular mega malls, known for its vibrant atmosphere and strong mix of brands.

To improve international travelers’ shopping experience, stores in Uniwalk have gradually introduced a “shop-and-refund” tax service, allowing visitors to complete tax refunds instantly at the point of purchase instead of at the border.

In addition, this mall also operates direct bus services to Hong Kong International Airport, which takes only 1 hour for a trip. So even if you’re flying to Hong Kong, you can still have a chance to go shopping in this mall.

Related Reading: China Travel Entry Requirements

Shenzhen Yifang City
Shenzhen Yifang City

5. Wushang Dream Mall (武商梦时代)– 800,000+ sqm

  • Total Area: 800,000+ sqm
  • Located in: Wuhan
  • Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM(Mon.-Thurs.), 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Fri), 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Sat.-Sun.)
  • Best for: Families, full-day entertainment
  • Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Experience Index: 9/10

Wushang Dream Mall is one of the largest pure shopping malls in the world. Unlike many other malls introduced in this article, the mall is designed entirely around retail, dining, and entertainment experiences.

One of its biggest highlights here is the WS Dream Park, which is the largest aerial power park in China. It features attractions such as an indoor ski slope, amusement facilities, and immersive themed zones. Combined with hundreds of brands and restaurants, it offers far more than a typical shopping experience.

Wushang Dream Mall
Wushang Dream Mall

6. Jinyuan Mall (金源时代购物中心)– 680,000 sqm

  • Total Area: 680,000 sqm
  • Located in: Beijing
  • Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Sat.-Sun.), 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Mon.-Fri.)
  • Best for: Classic shopping
  • Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐
  • Experience Index: 7/10

Known as the “Great Mall of China,” this mall was once the largest in Asia. It has been offering a traditional mega-mall experience to Beijing locals since 2004, and there are a huge number of shops and dining options inside. However, it is less experiential compared to newer malls. So just like South China Mall, this 20+ years old site is witnessing its transformation.

Related Reading: Top 10 Markets in Beijing

Beijing Jinyuan Mall
Beijing Jinyuan Mall

7. Eurasia Shopping Mall (欧亚卖场) – 600,000 sqm

  • Total Area: 600,000 sqm
  • Located in: Changchun
  • Opened in: 2000
  • Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Best for: Local experience
  • Recommendation: ⭐⭐
  • Experience Index: 6.5/10

Eurasia Shopping Mall may be one of the most unique mega malls in China. It has been proclaimed as the largest retail-only shopping center in the world (numbered of outlets) by the Guinness Book of World Records since 2025. Its sheer scale is so vast that even locals joke about getting lost in its “mall-as-a-city” layout.

Beyond traditional retail, like other malls, it offers an extensive mix of functions, including shopping, dining, cinemas, exhibitions, fitness, indoor sports, and even services like finance and healthcare.

However, this one is less tourist-oriented than newer experiential malls, and there are fewer luxury brands here than in the malls mentioned above. Still, its unmatched scale and all-in-one practicality make it a fascinating example of China’s early mega-mall concept.

Changchun Eurasia Shopping Mall
Changchun Eurasia Shopping Mall

8. Global Harbor (环球港)– 480,000 sqm

  • Total Area: 480,000 sqm
  • Located in: Shanghai
  • Opened in: 2013
  • Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Best for: Shanghai itinerary add-on
  • Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐
  • Experience Index: 7/10

Global Harbor is a well-known Shanghai mega mall. It combines shopping, dining, cinemas, and family-friendly attractions. If you’re visiting Shanghai, take it as a convenient stop. The highlight of this mall is its European classical architectural style, which is paired with a sun hall, central plaza, and garden atrium, and there’s also a 30,000-square-meter rooftop garden. This spot also holds many summer music festivals, fashion weeks, and symphony concerts.\

Shanghai Global Harbor
Shanghai Global Harbor

9. Grandview Mall (正佳广场) – 420,000 sqm

  • Total Area: 420,000 sqm
  • Located in: Guangzhou
  • Opened in: 2005
  • Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Best for: Shopping + entertainment
  • Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Experience Index: 9/10

Grandview Mall is not only one of Guangzhou’s largest and busiest shopping centers, but also a city landmark. Except for shopping, you can explore its spectacular indoor Natural Sciences Museum and Botanical Garden. Entertainment is also a major draw, and there are a lot of family-friendly play zones.

If traveling with kids, you may be interested in the mall’s indoor aquarium, which houses hundreds of marine species. Besides, every year, around January to March, Grandview Mall will hold a lantern festival, consider planning a visit to this event if time allows.

Guangzhou Grandview Mall
Guangzhou Grandview Mall

10. Nanxiang Incity MEGA (南翔印象城MEGA)– 340,000 sqm

  • Total Area: 340,000 sqm
  • Located in: Shanghai
  • Opened in: 2020
  • Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Best for: Families, relaxed visits
  • Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Experience Index: 8/10

Nanxiang Incity MEGA is designed as a leisure and lifestyle destination. What makes it particularly unique is its multi-level ecological indoor garden called “MiJing Forest” and a 400-meter rooftop running track. So basically, you can enjoy shopping, dining, leisure, and social interaction all in one spot.

Shanghai Nanxiang Incity MEGA
Shanghai Nanxiang Incity MEGA

Which Mall should I Visit?

  • For unique or entertainment-focused experience:

New Century Global Center (Chengdu)

Grandview Mall (Guangzhou)

Wushang Dream Mall (Wuhan)

Nanxiang Incity MEGA (Shanghai)

  • For shopping and lifestyle experiences:

Golden Eagle World (Nanjing)

Uniwalk Shopping Mall / Yifang City (Shenzhen)

Jinyuan Mall (Beijing)

Global Harbor (Shanghai)

  • For local, practical, or massive-scale exploration:

Eurasia Shopping Mall (Changchun)

South China Mall (Dongguan)

Tips for Visiting Shopping Malls in China

  • Payment: Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted everywhere. International credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) are partially supported.
  • Language: Most large malls will have English signs and instructions. Staff in major branded stores can usually speak English. However, downloading a translation app is  recommended.
  • Transportation: Malls are usually well-connected by subway/metro and bus routes. Taxis and ride-hailing apps like Didi (China’s Uber) are also convenient.
  • Timing & Planning: Weekends and holidays are normally crowded. Check the mall’s opening hours as some sections may differ.

Explore China’s Mega Malls with China Xian Tour

China is a paradise for shopping lovers. There are various malls in cities where you can enjoy not only shopping but also dining, entertainment, and more.

If you want to discover the largest and most spectacular shopping malls in China, you can have an exploration tour with China Xian Tour. We can create customized itineraries that include visits to these mega malls while also giving you the chance to explore the cities along the way.

Get in touch with us right now, and start planning for your visit to the incredible shopping destinations.

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