The Dubai Mall reinvents the traditional custom of trade in the world's largest indoor Gold Souk

A dazzling precinct with a collection of over 220 gold and jewellery retailers, including a selection of dedicated cafés and restaurants, the exquisitely designed Gold Souk experience culminates at the treasury dome, a 25m x 13m atrium - a dynamic projection ceiling with ever-changing multimedia shows.

Designed by Northpoint architects, the Gold Souk recreates the traditional charm of an Arabian souk reflecting the rich regional heritage of the gold trade.

Walking through its meandering corridors and themed courtyards, The Gold Souk reveals the journey of the travelling merchants crossing the desert expanse to trade gold and other commodities - the main north entrance begins the story with life-size bronze camel sculptures resting under a starry sky and an Arabian stallion in the south entrance.

Accentuated with decorative gold and marble detailing, the Gold Souk's traditional theme is a key attraction to The Dubai Mall.

Mr Jim Badour, CEO of Emaar Malls Group, said: "The Dubai Mall is redefining the shopping and leisure experience with its rich array of components, including the world's largest indoor Gold Souk. The Gold Souk is much a tribute to the region's rich heritage as to further strengthening the gold and jewellery trade, for which Dubai is renowned globally."

He added: "Visitors to the Gold Souk will be greeted with a new and exciting experience at every turn of their journey. The Gold Souk will offer a route of discovery following the journey of varying themes, designs and colours, culminating with the amazing treasury dome that will project images depending on the time of day. There are also themed courtyards with iconic bronze sculptures of a stallion, gold palm tree, camels, and falcons that celebrate Arabic heritage."

The Dubai Mall has a total internal floor area of 5.9 million sq ft and gross leasable space of 3.77 million sq ft, which is equivalent to the size of 50 football fields.

The mall will feature over 1,200 stores, including two anchor department stores and 120 food & beverage outlets.

Mr Yousif Al Ali, General Manager, The Dubai Mall, explained: "The Gold Souk will be a key launch attraction with its charming journey-like experience through elaborately themed areas leading to the main treasury dome. Both a tourist attraction and a jewellery shopper's paradise, the Gold Souk adds to the overall entertainment factor of The Dubai Mall."

Other key components of the mall include a world-class Aquarium featuring 33,000 living animals; an Olympic-size Ice Rink; KidZania, a children's 'edu-tainment' concept; Fashion Avenue, a dedicated haute couture precinct; The Grove, an indoor-outdoor streetscape with fully retractable roof; a SEGA indoor theme park; and a 22-screen cineplex along with car parking facilities for 14,000 cars.

Emaar Malls Group, the shopping mall business subsidiary of Emaar, is also developing Dubai Marina Mall within the Dubai Marina community; Cairo Gate - Egypt's largest outdoor shopping and entertainment destination; and a number of shopping malls within Emaar's master-planned communities in the Middle East, North Africa and Indian Subcontinent.