Cathay Members’ Choice Awards 2024: Asia’s most innovative shopping experience

Welcome to the Cathay Members’ Choice Awards: our flagship awards which celebrate everything that makes the world so amazing – as voted for by you, our global community of members. Discover the winner that captured your hearts – and your votes – as well as the contenders that made it to the shortlist. 

Not a member yet? It’s free to sign up and unlock a world of benefits, rewards and experiences – not to mention the chance to vote in next year’s awards. 

Winner: IconSiam, Bangkok 

Towering over Bangkok’s buildings, IconSiam is a riverside retail complex with over 7,000 shops and breathtaking Thai-inspired interiors. In addition to eclectic premium boutiques and great restaurants, it’s also the perfect refuge for when the city’s famously unpredictable rain scuppers plans. You’ll want to visit the indoor floating night market, SookSiam, to experience the charm of a traditional Thai market without the heat or inclement weather. It also showcases each of Thailand’s four major regions through live performances, cuisine and unique handicrafts. 

Hema supermarkets, the Chinese Mainland 

For a taste of the Chinese Mainland’s cutting-edge retail, Hema – or Freshippo in English – offers an experience unlike anything else. This Alibaba-backed supermarket chain blends online and offline shopping seamlessly; shoppers can browse and learn about on-shelf products via an app, pay with facial recognition and enjoy lightning-fast delivery in 30 minutes within 5km of the store. Overhead, Hema’s famous conveyor belt system transports online orders filled by an army of in-store personal shoppers.

Daikanyama district, Tokyo

Just south of Shibuya, the trendy Daikanyama neighbourhood is an education in Japanese fashion. Uniquely designed boutiques and concept stores reflect the area’s reputation as a sartorial mecca, while high-end cafes provide excellent cuisine and people-watching spots. In addition to exclusive labels like The North Face Purple Label – a collaboration with local brand Nanamica that’s only available in Japan – you’ll also discover bespoke denim boutiques, art galleries and the massive Daikanyama T-Site bookstore complex. 

Taikoo Li, Chengdu 

Fans of Beijing’s Sanlitun will swoon over Chengdu’s Taikoo Li, a trendy shopping and dining destination that attracts the city’s fashion mavens. This outdoor mall blends traditional Chinese architecture with post-industrial design, punctuated by open-air courtyards and lush greenery for a more laid-back atmosphere. In addition to chic boutiques and restaurants, it’s also home to The Temple House, a stunning luxury hotel with a Michelin-starred vegetarian restaurant.

Funan Mall, Singapore

With nearly 200 shops, an urban farm and an indoor bike path that connects to the city’s cycling network, Singapore’s Funan Mall is not your average shopping centre. The retail and lifestyle hub is best known for its specialty digital shops full of the latest gadgets and gizmos. But you’ll also find plenty of fashion boutiques, including local brands like Love, Bonito, alongside high-end sports and athletic shops. Check out the rooftop garden or catch a show at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre to get a sense of why this mall stands out.