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New South China Mall

3.6
·80 reviews·Dongguan, China

Explore the world's largest 'ghost mall,' a colossal architectural marvel with themed city zones and entertainment, despite its low occupancy.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekends

More activity and open stores

CrowdMedium
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Architecture

New South China Mall

Best Time

Weekends

More activity and open stores

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Explore the world's largest 'ghost mall,' a colossal architectural marvel with themed city zones and entertainment, despite its low occupancy.

3.6
(80 reviews)

"It's a place that is growing up with local bussinesses with very good quality. Still places closed, but is that big that you can spend the whole day going in and out many of the stores"

Vertical photo
TIP

Embrace the 'Ghost Mall'

Don't expect a bustling shopping experience. Enjoy the unique, vast, and often empty spaces! :camerawithflash:

Focus on Entertainment

Karting, IMAX, and themed zones are the real draw. Plan to spend time here, not just shopping. 🎥

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

3.6 · 80 reviews

Type

Point of interest

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Themed City Zones

Themed City Zones

Throughout the mall

Explore replicas of global cities, from Paris to the Caribbean. A unique architectural experience.

Indoor Karting Track

Indoor Karting Track

Entertainment area

Race your friends and family on an indoor go-karting circuit. Thrills await!

IMAX Cinema

IMAX Cinema

Entertainment area

Catch the latest blockbusters on a massive screen for an immersive movie experience.

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Planning Your Visit

The Ghost Mall Reality

Despite its massive size, the New South China Mall is famously underoccupied. Expect vast empty spaces and a limited selection of open stores, primarily near the entrance. Plan your visit with this in mind.

Beyond the Retail

While retail is sparse, the mall's unique themed zones and entertainment options like a karting track and IMAX cinema offer a different kind of experience. Focus on these attractions rather than traditional shopping.

Best Times

When
Weekends
Why
More activity and open stores
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

What is the biggest shopping mall in China? Name the biggest mall in the China. New South China Mall in Donggua in China with an area spanning 6.46 million square feet, is the largest mall. The Golden Resources Mall in Beijing, in China is the second-largest mall . What is the largest shopping platform in China? Taobao Taobao and its sister platform Tmall command an impressive 45% of the Chine...
miriking_41
29 likes • 2.3K views

Embrace the 'Ghost Mall'

Don't expect a bustling shopping experience. Enjoy the unique, vast, and often empty spaces! :camerawithflash:

Focus on Entertainment

Karting, IMAX, and themed zones are the real draw. Plan to spend time here, not just shopping. 🎥

Iran Mall adalah mall terbesar di dunia dengan luas 1.950.000 meter persegi yang terletak di Distrik 22, Teharan. Diiresmikan pada tahun 2019, Iran Mall telah mengalahkan New South China Mall di China, SM City North EDSA di Filipina, hingga Dubai Mall di Dubai. Gimana menurutmu? #PWMedia
pwmedia.id
0 likes • 10.6K views

Explore Nearby 'One Mall'

For better local shopping and food, head to 'One Mall' (Aeon) nearby. :shopping_cart:

Check Opening Hours

Some attractions or stores might have limited hours. Verify before you go. :clock1:

Tips

from all over the internet

Embrace the 'Ghost Mall'

Don't expect a bustling shopping experience. Enjoy the unique, vast, and often empty spaces! :camerawithflash:

Focus on Entertainment

Karting, IMAX, and themed zones are the real draw. Plan to spend time here, not just shopping. 🎥

Explore Nearby 'One Mall'

For better local shopping and food, head to 'One Mall' (Aeon) nearby. :shopping_cart:

Check Opening Hours

Some attractions or stores might have limited hours. Verify before you go. :clock1:

What Travellers Say

3.6
(80 reviews)

Reviews Summary

The New South China Mall is a colossal structure known more for its vast emptiness than its retail offerings. Visitors often come for the novelty of its 'ghost mall' status and its unique themed zones, entertainment like karting and IMAX, rather than traditional shopping. While some fast-food options are available, dining variety is limited, and many areas remain closed.

"It’s a mall whereyou can find some international foods such as pizzahut, or McDonald's, Starbucks...etc
Nothing special"

eay2373

"I always liked to check malls out whenever I travel. The good thing about this mall is that there’s very little of those high end stores where no one ever steps into to buy expensive luxury items. They’re mostly local stores where things are relatively inexpensive. The not so good thing is they’ve dedicated about 1/3 of the mall to ‘kids playground’. 10% of the stores here are closed as well. So there isn’t too much to check out IMO. The food here isn’t great. The only reason why I came over I because it’s supposedly the largest mall in China. I encourage you guys to head south east 4.3km away from here and hop over to “One Mall”, or just search Aeon, DongGuan and you should be able to find the cluster of more local stores with pretty good foods."

SpiritsBB

"It's a place that is growing up with local bussinesses with very good quality. Still places closed, but is that big that you can spend the whole day going in and out many of the stores; specially if you'ra a woman ;) And a few rides to entertain your kids are also there."

Queen Lion

What People Like

Unique 'ghost mall' atmosphere
Themed city zones
Karting and IMAX entertainment

What People Dislike

Vast empty spaces
Limited shopping options
Lack of diverse dining

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The New South China Mall is located in Dongguan, China. While there isn't a dedicated transit station directly at the mall, you can typically reach it via local buses or taxis from Dongguan city center. Many visitors opt for ride-sharing apps or private car services for convenience. Reddit

Yes, the New South China Mall offers ample parking facilities for visitors. However, since many areas are underoccupied, parking is generally not an issue. Reddit

From Shenzhen or Guangzhou, you can take a high-speed train to Dongguan Station and then a taxi or local bus to the mall. Alternatively, consider a direct bus service or ride-sharing if available. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, there is no entrance fee to enter the New South China Mall itself. You only pay for specific attractions or purchases within the mall. Reddit

The mall's general operating hours are typically from morning to late evening, but specific store and attraction hours can vary. It's advisable to check their official channels or inquire locally for the most up-to-date information. Reddit

For attractions like the IMAX cinema or karting track, it's often recommended to book tickets in advance, especially during peak times, to secure your spot and potentially avoid queues. TikTok

While not widely advertised, keep an eye out for potential promotions at individual stores or attractions. Sometimes local deal sites might offer discounts. Reddit

🍽️ 🛍️ Shopping & Dining

The mall features a mix of international fast-food chains and local businesses. However, a significant portion of the retail space remains vacant, so expect limited traditional shopping options. Reddit

You'll find popular international fast-food outlets like McDonald's, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks near the entrance. For more diverse local cuisine, consider visiting nearby malls like 'One Mall'. Reddit

Food quality is generally standard for fast-food chains. Reviews suggest that for better culinary experiences, exploring options outside the mall is recommended. Reddit

No, the New South China Mall is not known for luxury brands. It primarily caters to local businesses and international fast-food chains, with much of its space unoccupied. Reddit

🎫 ✨ Onsite Experience

The mall boasts themed zones replicating global cities, an indoor karting track, and an IMAX cinema. These entertainment options are the main attractions. Reddit

Yes, there are dedicated kids' play areas and entertainment options like karting that can entertain children. However, the vast empty spaces might be less engaging for very young children. Reddit

The mall is divided into zones inspired by international cities, featuring architectural replicas like the Arc de Triomphe and canals with gondolas, offering a unique visual experience. Reddit

Despite its size, the mall is famously underoccupied, leading to a lack of crowds in most areas. You'll find more people near the open food outlets and entertainment zones. Reddit

The nickname 'ghost mall' stems from its status as one of the world's largest malls by leasable area, yet it suffers from extremely low occupancy rates, with over 99% of stores reportedly vacant. Reddit

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