Travel the world just by shopping — Bangkok’s TERMINAL21

Text & Photography / Liu Jiawen

For those planning a trip to Bangkok, there’s a new must-visit attraction: TERMINAL 21, a department store that opened in October 2011 and is designed around the concept of an “airport terminal.” Each floor is decorated with a different global city theme — such as Rome, Tokyo, London, Istanbul, and San Francisco — making your shopping spree feel like a whirlwind tour around the world. The restrooms here are full of surprises too, with two uniquely themed bathrooms on every level. One moment you’re in a brick-red bakery, the next in a bright London Underground station, or even strolling down the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s become a fun phenomenon where visitors end up taking more photos in the restrooms than while shopping. Next time you're in Bangkok, don’t miss this uniquely themed TERMINAL 21.

Getting to TERMINAL 21 is very convenient — you can take the BTS Skytrain to Asok Station or the MRT to Sukhumvit Station. Once inside the department store, you’ll be greeted by staff dressed like air traffic controllers who help direct visitors. Right at the entrance, you’ll see a 36-meter-long escalator that takes you directly from the first to the third floor. Each upward-moving escalator entrance is labeled with a departure term in English, while the downward ones are labeled with an arrival term. The service desk staff are dressed as elegant flight attendants, and above them is a flight schedule-style display board that shows when live performances will take place on each floor. These creative details make you feel like you’ve arrived at an airport, ready to jet off to another country.

Each city-themed floor showcases famous landmarks or culturally representative items. For instance, the Tokyo-themed first floor displays Japanese lanterns, carp streamers, large sculptures of maneki-neko (lucky cats), sumo wrestlers, and torii gates — delivering an authentic Japanese atmosphere. The third-floor London section focuses on men’s fashion and features sculptures of British guards, red telephone booths, and even seats painted in the colors of the Union Jack. The restroom here is styled like a London Underground station, with route maps on the doors — an incredibly lifelike touch.