Jamuna Future Park: The Ultimate Insider’s Guide

One Light Journal Bangladesh

Editor Insight

March 13, 2020

Dhaka’s largest shopping mall isn’t just about shopping—it’s a city within a city. With 4.1 million square feet of space, 22 floors, and hidden spots even regulars miss, this guide will help you navigate like a pro.

I’ve been visiting since its opening in 2013—from teenage hangouts to adult errands—and here’s everything Google won’t tell you.

Why Jamuna Future Park?

✔ Largest mall in Bangladesh (Guinness World Record contender)
✔ 500+ shops – from luxury brands to underground bargains
✔ Hidden food spots, secret gaming zones, and VIP lounges
✔ Not just shopping – weddings, concerts, and even car test drives happen here

How to Get There Without the Hassle

Best Routes:

  • From Gulshan/Mirpur: Take the 300 Taka Uber ride (avoid 5-8 PM traffic)
  • From Uttara: Bus 27 (20 Taka) drops you at the gate
  • Parking Hacks:
    • Early birds (before 11 AM): Get basement parking
    • Peak hours: Use Park Plus (next to the mall) for 50 Taka/hour

Avoid:

  • Friday evenings – turns into a human ocean
  • CNG scams – drivers claim “mall is closed” to take you elsewhere

Mall Layout – Decoded

Ground Floor (Luxury & Chaos)

  • Brand Alley: Zara, LC Waikiki (but check tags – some are “inspired by”)
  • Hidden Gem: Bombay Sweets (best samosas in Dhaka, behind the escalator)

First Floor (Teenage Wasteland)

  • Tech Bazaar: “Original” Apple chargers (spoiler: 80% fake)
  • Gaming Zone: Find the secret VR booth near the washrooms

Second Floor (Ladies’ Kingdom)

  • Saree shops: Nabarupa has the best wedding collections
  • Pro Tip: Avoid escalators during rush hour – take the service lifts

Third Floor (Food Court Secrets)

  • Best Deal: Kacchi Bhai – 290 Taka biryani (ask for extra borhani)
  • Avoid: Sushi stalls (just… don’t)

Underground (Black Market Zone)

  • “Genuine” perfumes (50% alcohol, 50% hope)
  • Stolen AirPods – sold as “refurbished”

Bargaining Hacks (Yes, Even in a Mall)

  1. Electronics: Offer 70% of the sticker price – most shops accept
  2. Clothing: Wait for month-end sales (real discounts happen then)
  3. Perfumes: If it’s not in a sealed box, assume it’s refilled

Food Spots Only Regulars Know

Safe & Tasty:

  • Mr. Burger’s chicken wings (spiciest in Dhaka)
  • Coffee World’s hidden buy-one-get-one after 8 PM

Avoid:

  • Pizza stalls (frozen crusts, 30-minute wait)
  • “Fresh juice” (syrup + ice)

Hidden Attractions

  • Rooftop Car Test Drives (Yes, really)
  • Wedding Expo (Every January – free food samples)
  • Underground Bowling Alley (Ask security for directions)

Questions from Readers Only Locals Can Answer

1. “Is everything really overpriced?”

  • Branded stores: Fixed prices
  • Local shops: Can bargain 10-20%

2. “Where’s the best photo spot?”

  • Glass bridge on 5th floor (free if you act like you belong)

3. “Can I spend a whole day here?”

  • Morning: Shopping
  • Afternoon: Movie at Cineplex
  • Evening: Food court + rooftop views

4. “Are the gadgets original?”

  • Big stores: Yes
  • Small stalls: “Original copies” (good enough)

5. “Best time to visit?”

  • Weekday mornings (empty & peaceful)

Worth It?

If you want shopping, food, and chaos in one place – yes. If you hate crowds – run.

Jamuna Future Park
Jamuna Future Park

Pro Tip: Find me at Coffee World on weekends—I’ll show you the secret shortcuts. ☕

Jamuna Future Park: Uncensored FAQs (From a Mall Rat Who Knows Too Much)

1. “Is this really the biggest mall in Bangladesh?”

Technically yes, but:

  • 30% of the space is empty shops pretending to open soon
  • The “Guinness World Record” claim? Still pending since 2015
  • Pro tip: The basement is bigger than your entire neighborhood

2. “Why do security guards follow me in electronics shops?”

Because:

  • 50% of “customers” are just testing phones before buying online
  • 30% are pickpockets
  • 20% are actually buying (they smell different)

3. “Are the luxury brands real or fake in Jamuna Future Park?”

  • Ground floor shops: Real but last season’s stock
  • 3rd floor “discount” section: “Inspired by” (wink)
  • Basement stalls: Stolen/Fake (look for misspelled tags like “Adidos”)

4. “Where do the escalators REALLY lead?”

  • Up escalators: Shops you’ll never visit
  • Down escalators: Black market perfume dealers
  • Broken ones: Exist solely to trap children

5. “Can I bargain in a mall?”

Depends where:

  • Chain stores: No (but employees give “friends & family discounts” for tips)
  • Local shops: Yes, if you:
    • Speak Bangla fluently
    • Threaten to go to Bashundhara instead
    • Buy 3+ items

6. “Why does the food court smell like regret?”

  • Kacchi Bhai’s 20-year-old oil
  • Mr. Burger’s “secret” chili sauce (banned in 5 countries)
  • The sushi place (just… avoid)

7. “Is there really a secret gaming lounge in Jamuna Future Park?”

Yes, but:

  • Hidden behind “VIP Furniture Gallery” on 4th floor
  • Requires buying BDT 500 worth of tokens from a shady guy named Raju
  • Games include:
    • Counter-Strike 1.6 (still running on Windows XP)
    • “Realistic” racing sims (steering wheel missing 2 buttons)

8. “Where do Dhaka’s rich kids hang out?”

  • Coffee World (5 PM onwards): Instagram photoshoot central
  • Zara fitting rooms: Group selfie sessions
  • Underground parking: Late-night “car meets” (don’t ask)

9. “What’s the deal with the rooftop test drives?”

  • Officially: Toyota/Mitsubishi promotions
  • Unofficially: Where car dealers settle bets
  • Pro tip: If you see a white Corolla drifting, film it fast

10. “Why do prices change every month in JFP?”

  • January: “New Year Sale” (prices increase)
  • June: “Mid-Year Clearance” (prices same as January)
  • December: “Mega Discount Fest” (prices higher than original)

11. “Can I return defective items?”

  • With receipt: 7-day return (after 5 hours of arguing)
  • Without receipt: “Come back tomorrow” (they’ll hide when you do)
  • Electronics: “That’s normal for Bangladesh” (final answer)

12. “Where’s the best place to hide from relatives?”

  • 4th floor bookstore: Nobody goes there
  • Furniture section: Sleep on display beds (security allows it)
  • Prayer room: Unlimited peace (and AC)

13. “Do the VIP lounges exist?”

Yes, but:

  • Need to spend BDT 50,000+ in one day for access
  • Real VIPs use the secret 21st floor (elevator code changes weekly)

14. “Why is there always a crowd near the fountain?”

  • 50% taking TikTok videos
  • 30% waiting for dates who never come
  • 20% just confused why there’s a fountain indoors

15. “What’s the creepiest thing in the mall?”

  • The never-opening “Haunted House” (stuck in “coming soon” since 2017)
  • Mannequins with missing limbs in the basement
  • That one elevator that stops randomly at floor 13 (which doesn’t exist)

Final Survival Tip

The real Jamuna Future Park experience isn’t in the shops—it’s in:

  • Eavesdropping on rich aunties fighting over discounts
  • Finding the last working charging port (near 3rd floor bathrooms)
  • Watching couples break up at the food court (free drama)

Got more questions? Find me at Coffee World—I’m the one with 3 phones charging at once. Thanks for staying with One Light Journal.

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