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Ibn Battuta Mall

TIME : 2016/2/17 18:13:59

The shopping here is only so-so, but this mall is still well worth a visit for its stunning architecture and design, which traces the way stations of 14th-century Arab scholar and traveller, Ibn Battuta. It’s divided into six sections, each reflecting a region he visited, including Tunisia, Andalucía and Egypt. The most stunning is the Persian Court, crowned by a beautiful handpainted dome. The centrepiece of the China Court is a full-size Chinese junk, while in the India Court you can pose with an 8m-high elephant. Surprisingly, there’s nothing kitsch or ‘Disney’ about this place – the craftsmanship and attention to detail are simply stunning. There’s also an exhibit about Ibn Battuta and his accomplishments. The Mall is situated between Interchange numbers 5 and 6.