The Dubai Mall. Photo: Shutterstock
The Dubai Mall is celebrating its 12th anniversary today, since first opening its doors on November 4, 2008. Full of over a thousand spectacular stores and home to a multitude of exciting activities, The Dubai Mall is one of the most popular shopping destinations for residents and tourists alike.
A prime location in Downtown Dubai, the promenade of the mall offers unparalleled views of the Burj Khalifa. From casual to fine dining, The Dubai Mall is also home to the most extensive selection of food and beverage offerings in the region. In addition to the vast array of stores located in the building, The Dubai Mall also treats visitors to several activities, such as the gigantic aquarium and the Dubai Fountains.
The Fountains at Dubai Mall. Photo: Unsplash
Here are five things you may not have known about The Dubai Mall.
1. It has been the largest mall in the world for the last 12 years
Spanning 12 million sq ft, The Dubai Mall has been recognized as the world’s largest shopping mall for the last 12 years. The total area of the mall is equivalent to 200 football pitches.
2. It holds a Guinness World Record
The Dubai Aquarium at Dubai Mall. Photo: Unsplash
The incredible Dubai Aquarium, which is located on the ground floor of the mall holds the world’s largest acrylic panel. Weighing more than 2,45,000 kgs, the panel is over 100 feet wide and sits at 27 feet high. The extensive size of the world’s largest indoor aquarium has made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest acrylic panel in the world.
3. It is home to 1,200 shops
The mall is so big that you can often find yourself getting lost without a map. This is because the shopping paradise is home to 1,200 stores, as well as a multitude of pop-up stores across the mall. With stores from some of the world’s most sought after designer fashion brands located in Fashion Avenue and the world’s largest sweets shop Candylicious, it is no wonder that it is regarded as the best mall in Dubai.
The Dubai Mall. Photo: Shutterstock
4. Over 75 million people visit the mall each year
The Dubai Mall can almost be classified as an iconic landmark, as it is a must-visit for all tourists arriving to the emirate. So much so, that over an estimated 75 million people are said to visit the mall each year.
5. The ice rink can hold Olympic Events
With multiple world-class experiences at The Dubai Mall, some can be easily missed. However, the mall’s famed ice rink is second to none. The rink is big enough to host Olympic events, with a 1.5 inch thick ice bed that is twice the required amount for National Hockey League standards.
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