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A new study has revealed that Kapali Çarşı, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey, is the most Instagrammable shopping destination in the world.
Cross-border shopping platform Ubuy Hong Kong analyzed Instagram hashtags for selected shopping destinations worldwide to find which are the most Insta-worthy. Hashtags for the shopping destinations were included if they were considered to contain a sufficient proportion of posts related to the shopping areas of each destination.
1. Kapali Çarşı (Grand Bazaar), Turkey – 3,152,548 Instagram posts
Kapali Çarşı is the most Instagrammable shopping destination worldwide, with 3,152,548 Instagram posts that include its hashtags. Also known as the Grand Bazaar, Kapali Çarşı is located in Istanbul, within the city walls, and covers 61 covered streets with over 4,000 shops. Originally built by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in 1455 following his conquest of Constantinople, now Istanbul, Kapali Çarşı expanded in the following centuries to become one of the largest covered markets in the world.
2. Namdaemun Market, South Korea – 2,308,415 Instagram posts
Namdaemun Market is the second most Instagrammable shopping destination in the world, with 2,308,415 Instagram posts featuring its hashtag. Originally established in 1414, Namdaemun market in Seoul, South Korea, is one of the oldest markets in Korea, experiencing numerous waves of reconstruction and modernization throughout the centuries. The bustling market has around 5,200 stores and is the largest traditional market in Korea.
3. Starfield COEX Mall, South Korea – 2,182,063 Instagram posts
The third most Instagrammable shopping destination worldwide is Starfield COEX Mall, with 2,182,063 Instagram posts. Also located in Seoul, Starfield COEX Mall is the world’s largest underground mall, covering an area of roughly 154,000 square meters (1,660,000 square feet), 144,000 square meters (1,550,000 sq ft) of which is underground. The mall hosts various shops, restaurants, and entertainment, including the famous Byeolmadang Library. COEX comes from combining the CO from ‘convention centers’ with the EX from ‘exhibition halls.’
4. Covent Garden, United Kingdom – 1,719,602 Instagram posts
With 1,719,602 Instagram posts using its hashtag, Covent Garden is the fourth most Instagrammable shopping destination worldwide. Located in London, Covent Garden was originally a 17th-century fruit and vegetable market. The famous market building was constructed in 1830, with further construction around it added in later years. Today’s Covent Garden is a lively tourist destination with a variety of cafes, pubs, shops, entertainment, and the Apple Market craft market.
5. Gwangjang Market, South Korea – 1,498,492 Instagram posts
In fifth is Gwangjang Market with 1,498,492 Instagram posts that include its hashtags. Also in Seoul, Gwangjang Market was the first permanent market in Korea. It is one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in South Korea, hosting over 5,000 shops and providing a variety of goods and food for shoppers.
6. Macy’s Herald Square, United States – 1,420,519 Instagram posts
At sixth is Macy’s Herald Square, with 1,420,519 Instagram posts that include its hashtags. Located in New York, Macy’s Herald Square store is the flagship Macy’s department store and headquarters of Macy’s, Inc. Macy’s is renowned for its events, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and its annual Christmas displays in its windows on Broadway.
7. İstinye Park, Turkey – 1,223,065 Instagram posts
Sitting seventh for the most Instagrammable shopping destination worldwide is İstinye Park, with 1,223,065 posts that include its hashtags. Found in Istanbul, İstinye Park offers shoppers a wide selection of stores, entertainment, and food in both indoor and open-air sections. İstinye Park boasts a traditional Turkish food bazaar that provides both traditional and modern flavours.
8. Siam Paragon, Thailand – 1,065,588 Instagram posts
With 1,065,588 Instagram posts featuring its hashtags, Siam Paragon is the eighth most Instagrammable shopping destination worldwide. Situated in Bangkok, Siam Paragon is one of the largest malls in Thailand. It hosts a wide range of shops and restaurants, as well as a plethora of entertainment options, including the Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World aquarium.
9. Oxford Street, United Kingdom – 980,319 Instagram posts
In ninth for the most Instagrammable shopping destination worldwide is Oxford Street, with 980,319 Instagram posts that include its hashtags. World-renowned as a center of shopping, Oxford Street is located in London, and is the busiest shopping street in Europe. Running between Tottenham Court Road and Marble Arch in London’s West End, Oxford Street hosts many flagship stores and offers visitors a wide range of shops and services.
10. Taipei 101, Taiwan – 858,646 Instagram posts
Rounding out the top ten most Instagrammable shopping destinations worldwide is Taipei 101 with 858,646 Instagram posts. Located in Taipei, Taiwan, Taipei 101 was the tallest skyscraper in the world when constructed in 2004 and was the first to exceed 500 meters (1,640 feet). The building hosts numerous restaurants, cafes, and stores across numerous levels, plus observation decks to admire the view.
A spokesperson for Ubuy Hong Kong commented: “Istanbul is world-renowned for its culture and commerce, stemming from its deep roots in history as one of the great cities of antiquity. It has been the crossroads of trade between Europe and Asia for millennia, and this legendary past is reflected in the choice on offer for shoppers in the present.
“Everything from bustling street markets to modern shopping malls, there is something for every taste, especially for those who like to show what they get up to on Instagram.
“Kapali Çarşı, the Grand Bazaar, ranks as the top shopping destination for Instagram users, and it’s easy to see why. Found in the walled city of Istanbul, its ancient architecture and bustling streets provide visitors plenty to take in while browsing the wide variety of wares. With so much to see, there’s plenty of opportunities to get that perfect Instagram snap.”
| Rank | Shopping destination | Country | Number of posts featuring hashtag(s) |
| 1. | Kapali Çarşı (Grand Bazaar) | Turkey | 3,152,548 |
| 2. | Namdaemun Market | South Korea | 2,308,415 |
| 3. | Starfield COEX Mall | South Korea | 2,182,063 |
| 4. | Covent Garden | UK | 1,719,602 |
| 5. | Gwangjang Market | South Korea | 1,498,492 |
| 6. | Macy’s Herald Square | USA | 1,420,519 |
| 7. | İstinye Park | Turkey | 1,223,065 |
| 8. | Siam Paragon | Thailand | 1,065,588 |
| 9. | Oxford Street | UK | 980,319 |
| 10. | Taipei 101 | Taiwan | 858,646 |
ENDS
If using this story, please credit and link to: https://www.ubuy.hk
Source: Instagram
Methodology: 111 international and 50 Hong Kong shopping destinations (161 total) were included in the analysis. Shopping destinations were selected first by selecting cities known for shopping or cultural breaks. The most notable shopping destinations in these cities were then selected for the analysis.
Hashtags for each destination were included if enough posts using that hashtag were related to shopping at each destination and were sufficiently specific to the locations where applicable. Hashtags using English and any relevant local languages were included if they were relevant to a shopping destination.
