Queensbay Mall in Bayan Lepas is the largest and longest shopping mall on Penang Island. It opened to the public on 1 December 2006. Queensbay Mall has a gross built up area of 2.5 million sq ft, and a total net lettable area of 1 million sq ft. The 9-storey mall has 5 storeys of shopping space for 500 outlets, and 8 storeys of parking space. I explored Queensbay Mall and am documenting it as one of the major shopping malls of Asia, for my websites AsiaExplorers and Penang Travel Tips.
The anchor tenant at Queensbay Mall is Jusco, which opened its first Penang outlet here (the second Jusco store opened at AEON Seberang Prai City in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam on 22 August 2008). The Jusco store takes up approximately 25% of the net lettable retail space, or 255,000 sq ft. Another major tenant at Queensbay Mall is the American bookstore chain, Borders, also opening its first outlet in Penang, as well as Guess, Dorothy Perkins, Topshop, among others. Starbucks will have a standalone store on the North Zone and another within Borders in the South Zone. In addition, there's the usual Giordano, Sub, Popular Bookstore, Chicken Rice Shop, GNC and more.
Queensbay Mall takes over from Bayan Bay Megamall, a joint venture between Bayan Bay Development and the Penang Development Corporation. Bayan Bay Megamall stalled in 1998 at the height of the Asian Financial Crisis, when it was already 60% completed. It was revived by CP Mall Sdn Bhd in June 2005, with an obligation to complete it by July 2007. However, CP Mall was able to complete the revived project, and Queensbay Mall opened to customers on 1 December, 2006.
Rapid Penang bus at Queensbay Mall
Rapid Penang bus stop at Queensbay Mall
How to go to Queensbay Mall
Queensbay Mall can be reached from the Bayan Lepas Expressway. In order to avoid passing through the residential areas of Bay Gardens and Villa Emas, visitors are encouraged to use the main exit to Queensbay Mall. It is located on the expressway in the direction of Batu Maung.
Coming by Car
Coming from George Town along Bayan Lepas, upon seeing Queensbay Mall on your left, you notice the fork fork into two. The left fork goes to Bayan Baru while the right fork towards Batu Maung. Take the right fork. A short distance down the road is the exit, on the left, with signage pointing to Queensbay Mall. That this exit. It leads to a roundabout, take the road that leads to Queensbay Mall - you can see the mall from the roundabout. As you near the mall, you will reach a junction leading towards the parking areas.
Coming by Bus
Rapid Penang buses U304, 307, 401E and 308 serves Queensbay Mall. The bus stop is right in front of the shopping mall. Fare is between RM1.00 to RM2.50. Buses are quite regular.
Visiting Penang
If you're planning a trip to Penang, please go through the information I have assembled in Penang Travel Tips. You'd find there information covering all aspect about Penang, including accommodation, transport, food, shopping, places of interest and more. Everything you need to know Penang is right there at your finger tips!
Queensbay Mall.
Central Zone, Queensbay Mall during Christmas 2006.
Another view of the Central Zone interior of Queensbay Mall.
It is often more practical to book your tours online. You have the luxury of time to go through what are the tours you intend to take, rather than having to make a decision on your feet. Check out the local tours in Penang that you can book online. The tours are provided by Viator, a reputable international tour company.
If you are coming to Penang, you can arrange airport transfer from airport to city in advance. A van will be waiting for you to pick you at the airport. This service is very useful and cost effective if you are arriving as a group.
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Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The text is the copyright of Timothy Tye, and may not be copied for commercial use or re-published in another website without the author's permission. Information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. Photographs on this website are the copyright of the author and may not be reused without prior permission. For commercial licensing of photographs, read the licensing terms. Tim is a Christian. Click here to know more about his beliefs.