Dragon Mart 2: A Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors

Are you saying Dragon? We heard China. Well, Dragon Mart is a Chinese mall in Dubai and the place is known for all things Chinese. This Dragon Mart 2 is the second phase of the project. This extension is a more modern and upgraded version as compared to the first one. Before Visiting the place, you need to know a few things. Today, we are going to guide you through everything related to Dragon Mart 2. 

Location And Timings

Located side by side of First Mart, it is like a Chinatown in the middle of the East. The place has a massive collection of Chinese products. It’s the world’s largest trade hub for Chinese products under one roof. This mart is majestic. It has a cinema, food court, supermarket, 1100 shops of all kinds, a play area for kids and a lot of other things to keep you entertained.  

Inaugurated in 2016, this 2nd Mart was built as an extension to its decade-old first branch. It was aimed to be a better version of the original and it is. The place offers high-quality Chinese merchandise at very reasonable rates. 

This mart is located at Al Awir Rd, International City, Dubai and covers nearly 175k SqFt. If you are interested in good deals and cheap buying, this place is good to go. 

It is 18km away from the metro. Take bus no. 50 that moves every half an hour to get to the place. The place is open all week from Sunday to Saturday. Mart Timings for weekdays are from 10 am to 10 pm. However, on weekends it closes a bit late at 11 pm. 

What Can You Find Here?

This Mart is like every other mall but filled with Chinese goods. It has

• Over 1100 shops of different products at very affordable rates. These shops include
• Home Furnishing shops that have furniture, decor items and kitchenware of all kinds.
• Here you will also find electronic shops with a variety of Gadgets, mobile accessories, and home appliances in functional condition.
• Clothing, shoes, jewellery and fashion accessories shops.
• Range of Beauty products.
• Toys and Stationery items shops.
• It has a Food court with over 52 outlets including world’s famous chains like McDonald’s, KFC and Subway. There are also different International Cuisines restaurants, dessert parlours and cafes.
• The mart also has different entertainment options for both adults and kids. These include a 12 12-screen cinema and an entertainment indoor area for children where they can play all day long.
• There is also a hypermarket in the Mart from where you can do all kinds of grocery shopping. 

Why is this second Mart Best?

The place is best because

• The prices are very affordable and there is a huge variety of items. You can bargain and with good bargaining skills, you can find gems here. 
• Unlike other markets, where you can find affordable goods, this place is very family-friendly. In souk markets or in other bargaining markets usually,  they do not have a very kid friendly atmosphere. However, in this mart, a lot of entertainment areas will keep your kids busy while you go wild on your shopping spree 
• This place is attractive for shoppers and tourists because it has a more modern layout. The spacious area, neat interior and comfortable shopping experience is what makes this place the best. 
• As it is the biggest hub for Chinese items, you will see a lot of variety here. These items are not available in other shops in Dubai.

Some Best Restaurants to Keep Your Belly Content

• Henchgen is a very famous and authentic Chinese restaurant here. If you truly want to experience Chinese flavours, give it a go.
• Gazebo is famous for Indian cuisines, especially biryani and curries.
• Le Pain Quotidien is a French bakery in this mart. It is famous for its French desserts and coffee. 

Tips for Shopping

If you plan to visit this mart, here are some wise tips that can help you get a maximum deal. 

• Never hesitate to bargain. This place is heaven for those who know how to make a good deal. 
• It is a very large mall so be very focused about what you want to purchase. Trust us, anyone would deviate from actual purchase in this vast variety.  
• Usually, weekends are very crowded so visit on weekdays and come early to avoid hassle. 
• Keep change and cash with you too because not all shops are card-friendly. 
• Park wisely so you can reduce walking distance to the entrance. 

How Does Dragon Mart 2 Compare to Dragon Mart 1?

Both Marts are part of the same project. However, the first one is more like a traditional market. It gives you that souk market feel. In comparison, the second one is more modern, organized and family-friendly.  

In terms of Product quality, the second one has better variety as compared to the first one. The collection is more upgraded and for a sophisticated audience. 

In the second mart, you get more entertainment areas like a cinema and a play area. Dragon Mart Project 2 is more than just a shopping hub. It is like a full experience under one roof. You can buy Chinese products, eat Chinese food, and enjoy the entertainment areas. This mart promises to continue the offerings to visitors. 

What Not to Expect? 

While this is a modern mall with a lot of shopping options, don’t expect these things. 

• It is not a place for luxury or high-end shopping for which Dubai is famous for. The products here are unique and mid-range. 
• The place doesn’t offer limited edition or exclusive products. Instead, it’s a mass market where you will find a lot of similar products. The place offers unique but not rare products. 
• Though there are quite a number of food outlets, the place is not for an upscale Dining experience. Most of them are casual and delicious eateries. 
• The mart is not a quiet place to shop. It’s a busy hub and on events, it is even more congested. The atmosphere is lively and vibrant. 
• Don’t expect premium Customer service. You are not going to find valet parking or a personal shopping assistant here. The focus is affordability, not luxury.  
• Though these products are imported, don’t expect recognizable brand names. 
• The mart does offer good entertainment but not like in other luxury malls in Dubai.
• This place doesn’t feature recognized landmarks or art displays. You will only want to come here to shop for affordable good products. It is more of a commercial centre than a tourist place.  

Conclusion 

Dragon Mart 2 is a very good retail market for Chinese products at reasonable rates. It is better than the first mart and gives a more sophisticated experience. It doesn’t matter if you are a resident or a tourist, this mall is a good family-friendly place to spend your day. Here you will find a lot of functional products at affordable prices.