Shopping

Like other Asian travel destinations, shopping in Malaysia is a grand experience. It is nearly impossible to leave the country without doubling the luggage you came in with. There are a variety of products of local and international make available in the stores and the best fact is that they are all very cheap.

Clothes, cosmetics, shoes and accessories from brands of repute to local makes are available at minimal prices, so much so that people might actually flip out at the price tag. Watches and eyewear are practically dirt-cheap in Malaysia and you could stock up on them.

Special buys in Malaysia include batik silk and cotton materials and garments. These are specially dyed with water-resistant wax colors and come in a number of colors and designs.

Local handicrafts are in plenty and people might consider redesigning their homes to accommodate them. Handicraft items like intricately painted pots and vases, ceramic and porcelain vases, woodwork furniture, rugs and carpets are also great buy.

The best place to head for a shopping adventure is, without a doubt, Kuala Lumpur. Shops are usually open from ten in the morning to ten at night. Most shops accept only the Malaysian Ringet, although some may accept traveler checks and credit cards.

Art and Crafts Shops

Batik Guild Sdn Bhd

The Batik Guild was started at the initiative of the Malaysian prime minister's wife and is all about promoting the batik industry. It regularly hosts exhibitions and trade fairs to show case the achievements of art and the industry.

Location: 2nd Floor, WISMA LEJADI

50, Jalan 27/70A

Desa Sri Hartamas

50480 Kuala Lumpur

Phone: +603-2300 3300

Email: info@batikguild.com

The Archipelago

Located within a super mall, The Archipelago offers a great variety of local handicrafts such as pots, baskets and decorative ornaments. However, being located in a plush mall, it is slightly more expensive than roadside stores.

Location: Alamanda Mall,

Putrajaya

Karwani Creations

This is another place for really unique batik garments and bed linen.

Location: Ampang Park Shopping Centre,

Jalan Ampang,

Kuala Lumpur

Royal Selangor Pewter

A name of international repute, Royal Selangor is one of the best places in the world to look for pewter articles, jewelry and curries maybe even the odd pewter cauldron. It has shops all over Malaysia and a couple of them are listed below. For details please visit the WebPages of Royal Selangor.

Location: Lot 10 G9, Ground Floor

Lot 10 Shopping Centre

50, Jalan Sultan Ismail

50250,

Kuala Lumpur

Phone: +60-3-2142 5755

Mahkota Parade

F05, First Floor

Jalan Taman Melaka

Melaka

Phone: +60-6-282 2386

Email: info@ royalselangor.com

Web: www.pewter.royalselangor.com

Central Market

This place is one of the historic markets in KL that has been restored. It attracts more people than anywhere else in the country. Central market is the place to haggle for curios and handicrafts.

Location: Central Market,

Kuala Lumpur.

Malls

The malls in Malaysia are versatile and inexpensive. They offer several international brands such as Calvin Kline, Gucci, Versace, and Channel etc. the malls are beautifully designed with lavish interiors, restaurants, cinemas and arcades.

Tebrau City

Location: Desa Tebrau,

Johor Bahru,

Malaysia

StarHill Gallery

A very posh shopping destination in KL

Location: Next to the JW Marriott,

Bukit Bintang,

Kuala Lumpur.

Mid Valley Megamall

This mall contains five floors with over four hundred shops, offices and hotels.

Location: Seputeh,

Kuala Lumpur.

The Mall

A twenty year old economic place to shop and eat.

Location: Near Putra World Trade Centre

Kuala Lumpur

The Weld

Location: Bukit Raja Shopping Centre

Location: North Klang,

Kuala Lumpur

Island Plaza

Location: Penang

Shopping Districts in Kuala Lumpur

Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman

This is a shopping area in KL and has some of the most exquisite Chinese antiques and handicrafts. Also available are silk sarongs and carpets from the Middle East.

Jalan Bukit Bintang

This is one of the prime shopping areas of KL and offers the shopper a variety of malls, shops, and curio stores. Street vendors also sell great handicrafts.

Bangsar

This is a relatively high-class shopping destination with many brand stores, plush malls, luxury goods stores and jewelry stores.

Jalan Ampang

This is a great place to buy electronic articles at competitive prices.

Petaling Street

Petaling Street is a landmark in Kuala Lumpur. It resembles Chinatown with all the trappings of noodles and sake. It is also one of the night markets in Kuala Lumpur. This is the place to let the haggling bull loose.

Jalan Tuanku Abd. Rahman

This street has a number of stores that offer the most superb antiques and curios right from Oriental Art to fine embroidered linen, carved rosewood furniture, chests and cabinets and jade statuettes.