Note: “Dragon Square Mall” refers to the same complex most commonly known as Dragon Mart — the dragon-shaped shopping destination in Dubai International City. This guide covers that property under its official name.
For shoppers and traders after volume, variety, and value rather than luxury branding, Dragon Mart remains one of Dubai’s most distinctive retail destinations. Shaped like an actual dragon and running 1.2 kilometres end to end, it’s the largest trading hub for Chinese products outside mainland China — a sprawling complex that’s as much a wholesale trading centre as it is a shopping mall.
Where Is Dragon Mart Located?
Dragon Mart is located on Al Awir Road towards Hatta, just off Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road (E311) at Interchange 5, situated next to Dubai International City in the Warsan First area. It’s easily accessible from Dubai International Airport within a 16 to 20-minute drive, and roughly 40 minutes from Jebel Ali Port.
Opened to the public in 2004 and developed by Nakheel Properties, Dragon Mart is managed by Chinamex. The complex spans a combined footprint across two connected buildings — Dragon Mart 1, covering 240,000 square metres over 1–2 levels, and Dragon Mart 2, added in 2015/2016, covering a further 175,000 square metres over 2 levels.
Shops and Stores: What’s Inside
Reported store counts vary noticeably depending on the source — Wikipedia’s official figures list 3,500 stores and 52 restaurants, while other guides cite over 4,000 stores, and some sources put the number as high as 6,000 shops and kiosks across the combined complex. Regardless of the exact figure, Dragon Mart is organised into seven zones for easier navigation, covering everything from stationery to machinery.
The mall houses an enormous range of predominantly Chinese-manufactured goods: home décor, textile goods, toys, sports equipment, garments, home improvement items, electronics, gadgets, and much more. Dragon Mart 1 caters primarily to bulk and wholesale buyers, particularly traders restocking inventory, while Dragon Mart 2 has a noticeably more modern, consumer-facing feel — since its 2016 expansion, it hosts more than 2,500 shops along with a NESTO hypermarket, a 12-screen cinema, a food court, and even an on-site hotel.
Dining options are concentrated mainly in Dragon Mart 2, where cafés and restaurants serve a genuinely international mix of cuisines, from Chinese and broader Asian fare to well-known international restaurant chains like Kababak and Sabra. Dragon Mart 2 also functions as the complex’s entertainment hub, giving visitors a reason to linger beyond just shopping.
Because Dragon Mart’s culture is built around bulk trading and wholesale pricing, showing your bargaining skills is genuinely useful here — haggling is a normal, often expected part of getting a good price, particularly in Dragon Mart 1.
Dragon Mart Timings
Reported hours are broadly consistent, though a few sources cite slightly different weekend patterns:
| Days | Timings |
|---|---|
| Sunday – Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Thursday – Saturday | 10:00 AM – Midnight |
| Carrefour Hypermarket | From 9:00 AM |
One source lists an alternative pattern of Saturday to Wednesday 10 AM–10 PM, Thursday 10 AM–11 PM, and Friday 2 PM–11 PM, so it’s worth confirming directly if your visit falls on a specific day. Timings may also change during Ramadan. The mall is busiest between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM daily, with weekends (Friday and Saturday) and public holidays being the peak periods overall.
Metro Station and Connectivity
Dragon Mart has no direct Dubai Metro connection, and sources differ slightly on which station is genuinely closest:
- Nearest Metro Station: Most sources point to Rashidiya Metro Station, the eastern terminus of the Red Line, as the closest station — from there, shoppers typically continue by taxi or bus, a trip that takes roughly 5–10 minutes by taxi. A couple of guides instead cite Centrepoint Metro Station as the nearest, so it’s worth checking current route options before you travel.
- By Bus: Several bus routes connect to Dragon Mart, including Bus X23 (express) from Gold Souq Bus Station in Deira via Sharaf DG and BurJuman Metro Stations, Bus service 53 via City Centre Deira and Dubai Festival City, and Bus 366 via Al Warsan and Eppco1 with a transfer to Bus 5. A dedicated bus stop and taxi stand sit in front of the GB entrance of Dragon Mart 2, opposite The Mahal restaurant, operating from 6:00 AM to midnight with buses arriving roughly every 30 minutes.
- By Car: The complex is reached via Al Awir Road or Ras Al Khor Road (E44), with both Dragon Mart 1 and 2 well signposted for easy navigation.
- Parking: Dragon Mart 1 offers around 2,000 spaces, while Dragon Mart 2 offers a larger 4,500 spaces — some sources cite a combined capacity closer to 2,500 across the site, so exact figures vary by year and source.
- By Taxi: Taxis are relatively inexpensive and easy to find outside nearby hotels or flagged down on surrounding roads; the complex also provides a direct contact number (+971 4 208 0808) for booking one.
Nearby Areas
Dragon Mart’s position at the edge of Dubai International City places it near several practical districts:
- Dubai International City — the immediate neighbouring community and a major source of the mall’s regular footfall.
- Al Warsan — a nearby district that also serves as a stop along several of the mall’s bus routes.
- Rashidiya — home to the nearest metro station for most visitors, useful for those connecting from central Dubai.
- Ras Al Khor — bordering the E44 route used to access the mall from the city centre.
FAQs — Dragon Mart Dubai
Q1. Where is Dragon Mart located? A: On Al Awir Road, just off Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road (E311) at Interchange 5, next to Dubai International City.
Q2. What are Dragon Mart’s opening hours? A: Generally 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Sunday to Wednesday, extending to midnight from Thursday to Saturday, though a few sources cite slightly different weekend timings — it’s worth confirming ahead of your visit.
Q3. Is there a metro station near Dragon Mart? A: There’s no direct metro connection. Rashidiya Metro Station on the Red Line is generally cited as the closest, followed by a short taxi or bus ride to the mall.
Q4. What’s the difference between Dragon Mart 1 and Dragon Mart 2? A: Dragon Mart 1 focuses on bulk and wholesale buyers, particularly traders, while Dragon Mart 2, added in 2015/2016, is more consumer-oriented with a NESTO hypermarket, a 12-screen cinema, restaurants, and a hotel.
Q5. Is parking available at Dragon Mart? A: Yes — Dragon Mart 1 offers around 2,000 spaces and Dragon Mart 2 around 4,500 spaces, though total figures vary slightly by source.
Q6. Should I expect to bargain while shopping at Dragon Mart? A: Yes — haggling is a normal and often necessary part of the shopping culture here, particularly for bulk or wholesale purchases in Dragon Mart 1.