I visited the ‘world’s best shopping centre’ — but there’s one travel catch

There are thousands of shopping centres all over the world, offering shoppers unique experiences when purchasing clothes and more. I’ve been to just a few, including ones in London, New York and Canada. On my recent trip to Seoul, South Korea, however, I came across the best one I’ve stepped foot in, The Hyundai Seoul.

Situated in the business district of the city, The Hyundai Seoul has a big ambition to be the best shopping centre, but according to TripAdvisor, shoppers believe it already has that title, and I have to agree. Known for its minimalist design and unique architectural features, shoppers are treated to a luxury experience the moment they step in.

Completed in 2021, the Hyundai Seoul won Retail Design of the Year in The Monocle Design Awards.

It gained the award thanks to the centre's sprawling rooftop sound forest where music plays softly through an area of towering trees and waterfalls.

Clever engineering makes for easy navigation with sprawling windows on the top floor, bathing the entire complex in natural light.

This mammoth effort came from architect Richard Meier as well as the internal design team and multiple collaborators.

Situated across multiple floors, the lower floor is a huge food court with endless restaurants, supermarkets, as well as tea and drink options.

It took around an hour to explore the entire food court before I headed up to the ground level, where exclusive designer stores can be found.

There’s also a level for children with plenty of stores to buy clothing and toys from, as well as plenty of chillout areas by the large internal waterfalls.

I’ve never felt so relaxed in a shopping centre, with welcoming lighting and peaceful water features.

What’s more, it’s often used as a filming location in Korean dramas and films.

The catch about this shopping centre? It’s an 18-hour plane journey from me, meaning I won’t get to visit regularly.

However, if you are planning a trip to South Korea, I’d highly recommend checking this place out, as I’ve never experienced anything like it.

Whilst the shopping centre aims to be the best in the world, visitors from around the world already believe they have this title.

A review from TravelEscapeArtists said: “It’s absolutely stunning, a modern sleek shopping centre that feels like a luxury experience from the moment you walk in.”

Another from LJTrevel wrote: “This is the best shopping centre in the world. There are signs from years ago saying they weren’t this title, but it’s certainly the best we've ever been to, love the water feature.”

A third FvalMeria penned: “I’m not a fan of malls, but this was pretty amazing, especially the hanging garden. There’s a huge selection of everything, and it was one of the best.”