Ibn Battuta Mall

The shopping here is only so-so but this mall is still worth a visit for its stunning architecture and design tracing the waystations of 14th-century Arab scholar and traveller Ibn Battuta. It’s divided into six sections, each reflecting a region he visited, including Tunisia, Andalusia and Egypt. The most stunning is the Persia Court, which is crowned by an amazing 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.