A Day at Jungceylon, Phuket’s Shopping Paradise
Words: Kankanit Wichiantanon
Photos: Jungceylon
Tried: Jungceylon
We all love a good mall day – who doesn’t? So when someone mentioned the newly revamped Jungceylon, we know our trip to the sunshine-soaked city of Phuket had to include a day spent shopping at this gem.
Jungceylon, the historical name of Phuket island, is now synonymous with ultra-modern shopping in the Pearl of the Andaman. Shopaholics and foodies – like us – seeking the ultimate destination need look no further. This grand leisure palace caters to every need and desire, from fabulous fashions to food and fun for the whole family.
Nestled in the heart of Patong’s bustling tourist hub, just a stone’s throw from the vibrant Bangla Walking Street and popular Patong Beach, what impresses us about Jungceylon is its massive 200,000 square metres of retail heaven. And the prime location makes this the perfect spot to explore the endless possibilities within its vast halls of delights. Since its debut in 2007, this shopping paradise has attracted more than 17 million local and international visitors each year. Now, thanks to a recent makeover, Jungceylon has transformed into a tropical oasis where natural elements integrate seamlessly with shopping, offering visitors a new high in retail therapy.
Shoppers will find more than 300 international and local brands with options to meet all lifestyle needs in four themed zones: The Bay, The Jungle, The Garden and The Botanica. Whether you’re looking for top fashion brands, trendy restaurants or local artisanal handicrafts, the rejuvenated Jungceylon has you covered. From family-friendly outings and great date spots to a relaxing solo day out or an all-day shopping spree, there’s something for everyone in the gleaming eye of the Andaman’s Pearl.
We kicked off our adventure at The Bay, a vibrant outdoor area adorned with a life-sized traditional Chinese junk, the symbol of Jungceylon. Surrounded by blue water and fountains, this area hosts an ocean of live shows and exhibitions all year round. For travellers on the hunt for the hottest deals in town, we recommend setting sail for the Tourist Privilege Booth at the centre of The Bay. Here, you can reel in the latest promotions and net exclusive souvenirs as mementos of your Phuket travels.
Next, we stopped at The Jungle, where we challenged our inner fashionistas on an expedition to stores like American Eagle, Havaianas, Uniqlo, PUMA, NaRaYa, Billabong, and more. With street style being our not-so-secret obsession, we eagerly made our way through The Jungle to the Street Fashion Zone in the basement. While there, we indulged our street-food cravings at the Food Bazaar, which serves everything from Thai classics like Tom Yum to comfort foods from Italy, India, Japan, and South Korea. We dived right into a feast featuring a medley of cuisines like Pani Puri, Chinese Duck Noodles, and Phad Thai, all perfectly paired with refreshing cold-pressed juice, rich Thai tea, and milky bubble tea. Delicious!
For those who like to sit down for a proper meal, head to the Love Eat Zone on the first branch of Taiwan’s Din Tai Fung outside Bangkok. But when you’re all shopped out, do what we did and pamper yourself at the Thairapy Zone with a relaxing massage or spa session. We also picked up a bag full of locally made spa products for some at-home therapy.
Our mall excursion continued at The Garden, a zone perfect for shoppers seeking an adventure in nature with all the comforts of civilisation. Inspired by Phuket’s iconic and colourful Sino-Portuguese shop-houses, The Garden welcomes visitors with a refreshing and breezy ambiance highlighted by its floral and artistic décor. This vibrant space features a glut of stylishly designed restaurants and bars, each offering diverse culinary options. It’s the perfect setting for relaxed and convivial gatherings with friends, family, or your partner. WE took a fun break from shopping at The Irish Times Pub, where we gulped down some ice-cold beer and nibbled on light appetisers.
Bellies full and souls satisfied, we sauntered over to The Botanica to bask in the glamorous glow of top fashion brands like Coach, Crocs, Jaspal, and Gentlewoman. We popped into the Beautrium to stock up on our the latest beauty arrivals. The sale sections with sundresses and bikinis also grabbed our attention as the Phuket heat and waves call for frequent outfit changes. For movie-goers less concerned about shopping, we recommend catching the latest blockbuster at SF Cinema. And for families travelling with young ones, head to the third floor for a fun yet educational break at Kidzoona and opt for Froggy’s Fun Park, split into three spacious zones offering more than 100 activities – perfect for parent-child bonding moments.
Jungceylon Shopping Center
175, 177, 181, 193, 195, 197, 201, Rat-u-thit
200 Pee Road, Patong, Kathu, Phuket
Tel: +66 (0) 76 600 111
