Kick Start Your Shopping Experience in Malaysia
Hi there, Edwin here to talk about shopping in Malaysia…
No matter if you are shopping for Malaysian souvenirs or Branded fashion wear and accessories, Malaysia has it all. If you seek for a truly historic shopping experience, you will have to head no where but the Street Markets.
From the hustle and bustle place for bargains at Street Markets and Pasar Malam at Petaling Street to a more relaxed and cooler street markets at Central market. Central market used to be the city’s main market but now a cultural and art market offering all sorts of cultural and heritage souvenirs.
Take a taxi ride to Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur if you seek to shop for traditional clothes. The stores here have a huge variety and colours of traditional Malay and Indian clothes and can be tailored at your request.
If fancy glittery colourful bangles, Indian inspired jewellery, brasswares, then the Shopping place to go for Indian shopping experience is Brickfields, a main stretch along Jalan Tun Sambathan. You will smell refreshing fresh flowers and fresh fruits along the shops while you search for the best Sari dress.
If you decide to splurge for some modern shopping experience, then visiting Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur will be a good idea. Plenty of high end shopping malls to choose from, such as Sungei Wang Plaza, Starhill Gallery and Pavilion. No guide to shopping would be complete without mentioning the iconic Petronas Twin Towers which draws crowds like a 'Hook' to shoppers seeking a unique modern shopping experience.
If City Shopping is not for you then head out of town to Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall at Bandar Sunway suburb which offers not only shopping but also other lifestyle choices such as restaurants, games and recreational sports to provide a complete shopping experience.
A Unique Shopping Experience Story of a Foreign Guest
In April 2011, my French business partner visited us and asked to bring him for a tour around Kuala Lumpur during his 2 day excursion in Malaysia. It was a last minute thing but… No fuss. We agreed immediately.
We knew so many shopping places we could recommend to a foreign important guest because Malaysia has countless world-class shopping centres.
His first impression of Kuala Lumpur before we started was a few rows of shop lots, lots of coconut trees in between and ladies with headscarves walking on the street. We proved him dead wrong!
We brought him to Pavilion KL Shopping Mall at first and he saw his homebrand Louis Vuitton, alongside Gucci, Prada and other famous International fashion Brands. His jaws dropped and that expression was priceless.
Next, we brought him to Malaysia Central Market or “Pasar Seni” which translates to Art Market for some memorable Malaysian Souvenirs. He bought a lot of souvenirs including printed t-shirts, key-chains and other exotic art collections. I have found some of these items selling online and if you are interested you may visit our Malaysia Souvenir Section.
We went to a few other places and finished off the day with a visit to Petaling Street, one of the best places for good hawker food and merchandises. His time did not permit a visit to the night market or Malaysians called it “Pasar Malam”, but we promised him next time.
This is just a scratch on what Malaysia shopping has to offer. With so many shopping malls, street markets, night market, no wonder it’s so tempting that even local Malaysians can sometimes be a bit awed by the shopper’s paradise.
Top 10 Must Know Tips When Shopping in Malaysia - Before we proceed to review the shopping destinations in Malaysia, here are the tips and facts you must know before shopping in Malaysia
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Popular Shopping Places in Malaysia No. 1#
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
Pavilion is one of Malaysia’s icon for high-end luxury shopping experience, although there are some affordable stores and departmental stores like Parkson and Tangs. But if you insist to splurge on shopping, then visit stores at the Coulture Pavilion section can be an excellent idea. This section houses many of the International Fashion Brands like Prada, Gucci, Hermes, just to name a few.
There are music and dance performances, festival celebrations and other grand launches activities like catwalk fashion show that happens quite often throughout the year at the Centre Court. Most events happen during the weekend, so get there on a weekend and most likely you will get to watch some live performances.
If you would like to take a quick bite before you continue indulge in shopping, then head to the Tokyo Street section where there is a street-food section. Otherwise, the Gourmet Emporium has for a variety of restaurants ranging from Asian to Western cuisines or go for the al-fresco dining experience at Connection.
And do visit their Crystal Fountain, which is acclaimed as the tallest and the first in Malaysia. Take photos with this fountain for remembrance.
Popular Shopping Places in Malaysia No. 2#
Petaling Street
Petaling Street is located at the centre of Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur. Finding you way here is simple as there is a tall gateway with a huge signboard depicting the letters “Petaling Street”. Otherwise, ask any locals and they will be able to guide you immediately.
Why shop at Petaling Street? Everything you need and even things you didn’t know you need seems to be available here. Along with a wide repertoire of scrumptious food (mostly Chinese cuisine) and fresh fruits is anything like watches, sunglasses, clothes, souvenirs and even old collectible artifacts.
All things here will seem cheap but you will be amaze that the price could even be bargained lower. Take note to be wary that luxury branded merchandises sold at too-good-to-be–true prices here are dubious.
If you want to taste one of the best Wanton Noodles, then visit Koon Kee Restaurant located at Petaling Street. Crowded street stalls have blocked the façade of many restaurants and shops here, including Koon Kee Restaurant, so you may find it difficult to locate this restaurant.
There are many street food stalls here so getting a quick bit while shopping is a good idea. Not only tourists, even locals hover around Petaling Street, hunting for the best bargains.
Along the street, you may smell the strong aroma of Chinese traditional herbs and view shops of Chinese paintings.
The food and shopping spree continues from day till night.
Popular Shopping Places in Malaysia No. 3#
Central Market
Take a break from modern shopping and visit Central Market and get a taste of Malaysia’s best cultural arts and heritage shopping experience. It is located within walking distance from the Kuala Lumpur train station.
Once a main grocery and wet market for locals, this air conditioned building houses many shops selling traditional handicrafts, carvings, batik outfits, postcards, traditional outfits and even hand drawn portrait of yourself. These talented artists are seated at the ground floor and will produce a camera-like portrait of you within hours.
Antiques and other handcrafted souvenirs are sold at the first floor. If you desire a quick bite, buy packs of local snacks at the food court at the first floor and intricate tribal sculpture from Borneo Island.
Truly a souvenir hunter’s paradise!
Popular Shopping Places in Malaysia No. 4#
Sunway Pyramid
Located at the Bundar Sunway suburb of Kuala Lumpur, Sunway Pyramid has an Egyptian-inspired architecture with a huge iconic lion sculpture. Shopping will be boring if there are only shops and more shops. A Malaysian shopping experience will not be complete without lifestyle activities offered.
Like Pavilion leverage on its proximity to the Petronas KLCC Twin Tower as a ‘Hook’ to bring in the shoppers, Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall offers movies, restaurants and recreational activities such as a bowling centre and the famous Malaysia one and only man-made Ice Skating rink in the shopping mall itself to attract shoppers apart from its Sunway Lagoon theme park and Sunway Hotel which are located within the same area.
Its huge lion sculpture at the entrance as well as an Egyptian façade and interior makes it a huge tourist attraction.
The variety of items sold in this mall includes fashion apparel and accessories, entertainment, gifts, souvenirs, books, electrical products and furnitures.
Nightlife at Sunway Pyramid is no less vibrant, with countless rows of pubs and nighclubs which generally stay open till 3 am in the morning.
Popular Shopping Places in Malaysia No. 5#
Langkawi Island
This is not referring to only a shopping mall, it’s the entire Island! The entire Langkawi Island is duty-free. This is a paradise for you if you enjoy smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.
Other branded merchandises are not really attractive and after some price comparison is done, some products are sold cheaper in Kuala Lumpur. This is because; tax duty on apparels, handbags and shoes sold in Malaysia is abolished since 2010.
More prominent places to shop for your alcohol and cigarettes are Jetty Point Futy Free Complex, Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall, Saga Shopping Center and many other shoplots all located within the vicinity of Kuah Town.
Sip a glass of Vodka Martini (shaken not stirred) while holding a Dunhill International in between your fingers, as time passes by and cool sea breeze whispering softly at your ears, overlooking the beautiful azure ocean. What do you think?
I hope this information is useful for you. If you have anything to add or to comment, you may Contact Us.
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