Shopping in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, the commercial hub of the country, has its fair share of famous landmarks, historical relics and heritage buildings plus a pulsating night life to keep the visitor occupied day and night. None of these, however, would be complete without the sheer fun and excitement of bargain hunting within the cool comforts of ultra-modem, one-stop shopping complexes or the thrill of browsing among antiques and curio items in the older establishments in the older parts of the city. Mingle with the jostling crowd at the numerous roadside stalls or share in the heady excitement of the carnival like 'pasar malam' or night markets. Either way enjoy some of the cheapest shopping in Asia.

Handicrafts of local origin range from intricate silver, brass and pewter items to pottery, rattan and wickerwork. Pewter is an alloy of metals which is shaped into a vast variety of shapes. You can find pewter figurines, mugs, ashtrays, bottle-openers and much, much more. Batiks of silk and cotton come in tantalisingly vivid hues. The bold designs and dazzling colours of Malaysian Batik set it apart from others within the region. Batik is a fabric printed with intricate designs using molten wax and dyes. The more expensive pieces are painstakingly designed by hand. Kain Songket is a distinctly Malay fabric. It is often made of silk with gold or silver threads woven into the fabric. Art objects and curio items from the orient vie for attention with carpets and rugs of lustrous silk and fine wool in traditional designs of intricate geometric motifs or patterned in beautiful flowery designs of pastel hues. There's ready-to-wear apparel of every design and colour and trendy shoes and handbags. From the fashion centres of the world come designer collections, elegant footwear, exclusive watches, optical items and quality fabrics. Electrical appliances, electronic equipment, computers and cameras are available too. The list goes on.....

There are many places to spend your Ringgit in Kuala Lumpur, from little markets to mega malls. Head towards Chinatown at Jalan Bandar, Lot 10 and Sungei Wang, KLCC Suria, home of the tallest buildings in the world, the PETRONAS Twin Towers, to some of the most popular shopping areas in the capital. Another area is Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

The main shopping area along Jalan Tuanku Abd. Rahman, stretches from the Jalan Dang Wangi junction to Jalan Tun Perak and is lined on both sides by a quaint mix of ultra modern buildings, sandwiched between pre-war buildings whose gracious facades have been lovingly preserved. China Arts and Peiping Lace are a must for lovers of Oriental Art, antiques and curios. Both shops stock an irresistible collection of fine embroidered bed and table lined, carved rosewood furniture, chests and cabinets, Chinese ceramics and jade and ivory carvings. Shops dealing in oriental carpets may also be found here. Jalan Masjid India which runs almost parallel to this area is the place to go to for ethnic goods of Indian origin, sarees, sarongs and textiles.

Jalan Bukit Bintang, the 'Golden Mile' of Kuala Lumpur contains ultra-modern shopping and commercial complexes, interspersed with towering international standard hotels. Shoppers would lose all sense of time, browsing through the shops of Lot 10, Sungei Wang Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Kuala Lumpur Plaza and Starhill.

The latest shopping centre in town, Suria KLCC is certainly a hit amongst shoppers and tourists alike. Adjoining the Petronas Twin Towers, Suria KLCC, is a six-level crescent shaped shopping mall which has everything to offer the avid shopper. There are over 270 speciality stores, open air cafes, two food courts, cinemas and exotic restaurants.

Petaling Street and Jalan Bandar are at the hub of Kuala Lumpur's bustling Chinatown. Shops here offer a variety of textiles, clothes, shoes and handbags at bargain prices. The area is also known for its jewellery shops with their fascinating variety of fine jewellery items beautifully crafted in gold and set with priceless gemstones. Nepalese traders offer exotic ethnic jewellery, wall hangings, ornaments, curios and teapots from India and Burma. Make-shift and mobile stalls jam the streets with their offerings of dried foodstuff, herbs, fruits, flowers and herbal remedies.

This is the place to hone your bargaining skills and the unusually busy street becomes more lively at night with the sprouting up of stalls offering a diverse range of products from ethnic goods, clothing and cosmetics to 'designer watches'! The bright lights from the shop fronts and stalls combine with the blaring music to lend the area a festive carnival air.

The emergence of famous names on the Kuala Lumpur shopping scene is a clear indication that prestige shopping is here to stay! The Lot 10 shopping centre designated its entire 4th floor as the 'Prestige floor' housing exclusive names such as Jaegar, Donna Karan, Nina Ricci and Hanae Mori, to name a few.

At City Square, along Jalan Tun Razak, an aura of exclusivity and understated elegance pervades the entire ground floor. Designer boutiques may also be found at Kuala Lumpur Plaza and the Hilton Hotel shopping arcade. Many other shopping complexes have also alloted several lots to accommodate 'Designer Comers' offering a select but impressive range of items.

Fashion wear ranges from classic suits in pure wool and linen, elegant dresses for evenings, chic dresses and smart casuals for day time wear to cheerful, fancy leggings, cycling shorts and sweaters in vivid rainbow colours for the young and 'young at heart'. There is also an equally impressive range of menswear and accessories, leather goods and timepieces and writing instruments, not to mention the mind boggling display of fashion eye wear of every imaginable shape and design.