A Guide to Dubai’s Shopping Malls
Where in the world does a shopping trip take you from Ancient Egypt to ancient Chinese courts, ski slopes and Vegas-styled dancing fountains? It’s got to be Dubai. In this city the malls have become attractions all their own. If you’re looking for a lot more than just a spot of shopping, then you have to check out these mall metropolises in Dubai.
Dubai Mall
The mother of all malls, this cavernous structure houses an entire world of its own. From the Kinokuniya bookstore to the three-storey floor-to-ceiling aquarium, Dubai Mall is a favourite of locals and tourists alike for a variety of reasons: the indoor ice skating rink, a real dinosaur skeleton (known as the ‘Dubai Dino’), the indoor waterfall, singing and dancing fountains designed by the Bellagio team of Vegas fame, and of course, all those regular mall attractions like shops and restaurants. Packs of tourists are always flowing through the mall to reach the entrance of “At the Top,” the official gateway to the observatory deck at the top of the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa. Dizzy yet? Dubai Mall can be overwhelming, which is why most people can easily lose 6 hours at a time at this mall.
Mall of the Emirates
Until the Dubai Mall came along and dwarfed the Mall of the Emirates, it used to be the biggest mall around. Now it’s just a regular mall by UAE standards. The Mall of the Emirates (lovingly called “MOE” by residents) made headlines when it unveiled the world’s only man-made indoor ski slope. Frequent skiers of the Alps or the Rockies will feel bizarrely at home once they park their car in 50-degree heat and suit up to take a ski lift in below-zero temperatures. And of course, MOE also has all that regular mall stuff like movie theaters, restaurants and shopping.
(Source: Flickr by Peter Gronemann)
Ibn Battuta Mall
Named after the famed 14th-century Moroccan traveller, Ibn Battuta Mall documents his travels not by some maps tacked up on the wall, but by designing palatial courts spaced out by shops and restaurants. The India Court has a life-sized elephant standing beneath a dome of Indian artwork on the ceiling, with a few glass cases portraying famous inventions in India. No big deal. The China court boasts a replica of a Chinese Junk sits in front of the theatre. Ibn Battuta Mall does not hold back on the grandeur.
Wafi Mall
The golden pyramids of Wafi are decorated with hieroglyphics of ancient Egyptians pushing shopping carts along the walls, and the tips of the pyramids are made of beautiful stained glass. The front of the mall is complete with large stone statue guards flanking the entrance and an obelisk. Fittingly decorated, Wafi is one of Dubai’s older malls, but a good place to take the family for some fun – and shopping – if you’re staying close to Dubai International Airport.
Dubai Marina Mall
Like the others, Dubai Marina Mall is huge and equipped with major international chain stores and plenty of restaurants. But it’s not the convenience that has this mall on the list; it’s the view. Lazy yachts casually glide by in the marina and the uber-chic Pier 7 tower offers fine-dining and a place to party into the night after an afternoon giving your credit card a workout.
Dubai Festival City
Shaped like a crescent with canals built along the inside of the curve, DFC is a good mall to enjoy the outdoors with. And every New Year’s Eve shoppers at DFC can enjoy watching the fireworks show over the Dubai creek.