The ten largest shopping malls on Earth, ranked by gross leasable area — from Iran's 21-million-square-foot megastructure to Malaysia's green-roofed 1 Utama.
Quick answer: 1. Iran Mall, 2. IOI City Mall, 3. South China Mall, 4. SM Mall of Asia, 5. SM Tianjin, 6. Golden Resources Mall, 7. CentralWorld, 8. ICONSIAM, 9. Isfahan City Center, 10. 1 Utama.
Shopping malls have evolved far beyond simple retail spaces into massive mixed-use destinations that include hotels, museums, theme parks, aquariums, and indoor ski slopes. The world's largest malls are concentrated in Asia and the Middle East, where rising consumerism and integrated urban planning have produced complexes that rival small cities in scale. This list ranks the ten largest shopping malls in the world by gross leasable area (GLA) — the total floor area available for revenue-generating activities such as retail, dining, and entertainment. The rankings reflect the most recent data from industry sources, developer reports, and real estate publications. Over 70% of the malls on this list are located in Asia, led by Iran, Malaysia, China, and the Philippines.
The world's largest shopping mall by gross leasable area, located in the northwest of Tehran, Iran. Spanning 21 million square feet, it is more than just a retail destination — the complex includes hotels, art galleries, museums, a traditional bazaar, a convention centre, and a five-star hotel. With over 700 stores, it functions as a full-scale lifestyle ecosystem.
The largest shopping mall in Southeast Asia, located in Putrajaya, Malaysia. With 15.4 million square feet of gross leasable area, it features over 650 retail outlets, a convention centre, a hotel, and extensive entertainment zones including an ice-skating rink and a trampoline park.
Located in Dongguan, China, this sprawling 13.9-million-square-foot complex was originally built as a replica of world landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe and the Venice canals. After years of low occupancy following its 2005 opening, the mall has undergone a significant revitalization and now operates at a much higher occupancy rate.
One of the largest malls in the Philippines and a major tourist destination in its own right, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City covers 13.5 million square feet. The complex includes an indoor ice-skating rink, an IMAX theatre, a science museum, a convention centre, and a bayside entertainment strip with a large ferris wheel.
Located in Tianjin, China, SM Tianjin is a massive 12-million-square-foot shopping complex developed by SM Prime Holdings. The mall features a modern architectural design with extensive retail, dining, and entertainment options spread across multiple levels.
Once the world's largest mall when it opened in 2004, Beijing's Golden Resources Mall covers 11 million square feet across six floors. It contains over 1,000 stores, a shopping centre, hotels, and extensive dining options. While it has been surpassed by newer complexes, it remains one of the world's largest retail destinations.
Bangkok's CentralWorld is one of the largest shopping complexes in Southeast Asia, covering 9.5 million square feet. The mall combines luxury and mid-range retail, and includes a convention centre, a hotel, and extensive dining options. It was significantly damaged in the 2010 Bangkok protests but has since been fully restored and expanded.
A luxurious riverfront mega-mall in Bangkok, Thailand, ICONSIAM covers 9 million square feet along the Chao Phraya River. The complex blends high-end international brands with Thai cultural elements, including a dedicated floor for local artisans. It also features a residentially zoned tower and a multi-level indoor waterfall.
Located in Isfahan, Iran, this 7.5-million-square-foot complex is the largest shopping mall in the Middle East outside of Tehran. It includes a shopping centre, a museum, a five-star hotel, a convention centre, and extensive recreational facilities. The design incorporates traditional Persian architectural elements.
Located in Selangor, Malaysia, 1 Utama covers 7.3 million square feet and is known for its eco-friendly design features, including a rooftop garden and a rainwater harvesting system. The mall is divided into two main sections — the Old Wing and the New Wing — connected by a skybridge, and houses over 650 retail outlets.
| # | Name | Location | Country | Stores | Opened |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran Mall | Tehran | Iran | 700+ | 2018 |
| 2 | IOI City Mall | Putrajaya | Malaysia | 650+ | 2014 |
| 3 | South China Mall | Dongguan | China | 2,350+ | 2005 |
| 4 | SM Mall of Asia | Pasay | Philippines | 1,000+ | 2006 |
| 5 | SM Tianjin | Tianjin | China | 1,000+ | 2016 |
| 6 | Golden Resources Mall | Beijing | China | 1,000+ | 2004 |
| 7 | CentralWorld | Bangkok | Thailand | 500+ | 2002 |
| 8 | ICONSIAM | Bangkok | Thailand | 500+ | 2018 |
| 9 | Isfahan City Center | Isfahan | Iran | 700+ | 2012 |
| 10 | 1 Utama | Selangor | Malaysia | 650+ | 1995 |
Malls are ranked by gross leasable area (GLA) in square feet, defined as the total floor area within a mall that is available for lease to tenants, including retail, dining, and entertainment spaces but excluding common areas, corridors, and non-leasable service zones. Figures are sourced from industry reports, developer disclosures, and real estate publications including Mozmart, Touropia, and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Where multiple figures exist, the most conservative verified estimate is used. All figures reflect the most recent available data as of 2025. Rank 1 is the largest by GLA.
Gross leasable area (GLA) is the total floor area within a shopping mall that is available for lease to tenants, including retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. It excludes common areas such as hallways, atriums, restrooms, and service corridors.
Iran Mall in Tehran, Iran, is the largest shopping mall in the world by gross leasable area, covering 21 million square feet. It includes over 700 stores, hotels, museums, and a convention centre.
Asia's large malls are driven by dense urban populations, rising consumer spending, government investment in integrated lifestyle developments, and the availability of large tracts of land for mega-projects. Countries like China, Malaysia, Iran, and the Philippines have been particularly active in building massive retail complexes.