Top 5 Biggest Shopping Malls

No matter how many economic downturns and recessions the world faces, there will always be people ready to shop. There are dozens of mega-malls scattered across the globe, with newer, bigger ones being built each year.

These may not be the biggest in terms of of square footage, but they are up among the top and definitely worth visiting if you're in the country. Here's a list of our top 5 biggest shopping malls around the world:

United States: Mall of America

The most famous mall in the US, the Mall of America in Minnesota augments more than 400 shops with an indoor amusement park, walk-through aquarium, bowling alley, movie theatres, bars and nightclubs, countless restaurants, and many other family attractions.

United Arab Emirates: Dubai Mall

Shopping in Dubai is a major activity, and the place to go is the Dubai Mall, which boasts a skating rink, water park, and more. Part of the 20-billion-dollar Burj Khalifa complex, which includes a whopping 1,200 shops. A great way to beat the heat in sunny Dubai.

Canada: West Edmonton Mall

The largest mall in Canada (and North America), the West Edmonton Mall is located in Edmonton, Alberta. With an amusement park, water park, skating rink, recreation centre, adventure golf, movie theatres, restaurants, bars, and many other attractions in addition to its 800+ shops, it's the biggest attraction in Edmonton.

China: Golden Resources Shopping Mall

China has been building mega-malls left and right, but the biggest is the Golden Resources Shopping Mall in Beijing. Nicknamed the 'Great Mall of China', the shopping centre draws millions of visitors each year with attractions like a skating rink, restaurants, and more than 1,000 shops.

South Africa: Gateway Theatre of Shopping

Few visitors to South Africa would think of Durban as a shopping destination, but Gateway and its more than 400 shops would disagree. In addition to shops, restaurants and bars, the mall offers a live theatre, IMAX cinema, skate park, indoor climbing wall, go-karts, arcade, bowling alley, small indoor amusement park, the world's tallest indoor climbing wall, and the Flo-Rider man-made surfing wave.

Photo from here.

Minneapolis

As depicted in movies like Grumpy Old Men, Fargo, and New in Town, Minneapolis has a single personality: cold! Filmmakers are eager to show ankle-deep snow, icicle-lined rooftops and sub-zero temperatures.

But this fair city has a split personality: summers in Minneapolis are when the entire city comes out to play, with a number of parties, concerts, and festivals taking advantage of the idyllic late-summer weather of August and September to spend as much time as possible outdoors.

August is when you’ll find the Minnesota State Fair in full swing, with fried food on a stick, 4H livestock competitions, and plenty of concerts, games and rides for everyone. It’s one of the biggest in the country, attracting millions of visitors every year.

Visitors can also get their thrills on the roller coasters at Valleyfair in Shakopee, or grab a burger in St Paul at the iconic Mickey’s Diner. You may find yourself wanting to stay a bit longer, as late September in Minnesota is when the leaves in Minnesota start to turn spectacular shades of red, yellow and orange.

Don't forget about great winter events though, like the St Paul Winter Carnival in January and February. If anyone knows how to have fun in the cold, it's Minnesotans!