When you’re shopping in Malaysia you’ll get your mind boggled with the myriad of varieties you’ll come across – in everything from fashion to electronics. So whether you like shopping for high-street brands or designer goods or you like browsing in flea markets, Malaysia has it for you, in spades. The best shopping is to be had in Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Cameron Highlands.
Street Shopping in Malaysia
Malaysia is well known for its incredible range of street retail outlets, which sell everything from clothing to electronics. You’re assured cheap buys here, and the best part is that you can haggle for the right place.
- Petaling Street – Kuala Lumpur
Petaling Street in Chinatown is your best street haggling and flea shopping bet in Malaysia. Go bats over colorful cheap bags, electronics, artificial flowers, clothes, wigs and a whole lot more. You’ll find food vendors set up everywhere, so there’ll be no need to starve as you shop!
- Central Market – Kuala Lumpur
The Central Market is located near Pasar Seni MRT Station; here you’ll find Chinese and Indian artworks, statues and cheap fashion accessories, bags and souvenirs.
- Kasturi Walk – Kuala Lumpur
Kasturi Walk is another fabulous street shopping arena that’s close to the Central Market. You can check them both out on the same day. Some people check out the goods in Kasturi Walk and then go over to Central Market for a price comparison on the things they want.
- Central Market – Cameron Highlands
Cameron Highlands’ Central Market is a wonderful shopping paradise of the Jewel of Kedah. This is where you can pick up some authentic Highland products such as highland tea, local handicrafts, fresh flowers, strawberries and much, much more. The market also contains a small park complete with nursery, fountains and a blissful garden with benches for sitting. There’s a local café that’ll take care of your hunger pangs.
Lavish Malls and Retail Outlets
Malaysia doesn’t disappoint lovers of shopping malls – there are plenty to satisfy all high-street and designer retail junkies out there.
- Suria KLCC – Kuala Lumpur
Suria KLCC is an iconic shopping mall, located in the Petronas Towers. If you’re into luxury brands, you’re at the right place. Pick up some cool items from Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Salvatore Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton and other designer brands. This mall also houses some relatively cheaper brands such as Bata for shoes. Visit this mall to pick up bags, fashion, footwear and accessories.
- Pavilion KL – Kuala Lumpur
Bukit Bintang District’s Pavilion KL is Kuala Lumpur’s glamor and entertainment destination. Considered to be KL’s best mall, you have seven floors of sheer decadence to explore, filling up your bags with items from famous local brands, big international brands and designer brands. If you like big names, then go ahead and splurge on Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Esprit, Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry and other designer brands. The Pavilion also offers fabulous salons and spas for some pampering, as well as plenty of restaurants to titillate your tastebuds.
- Berjaya Times Square – Kuala Lumpur
The Berjaya Times Square Mall is a famous landmark in Malaysia; it has 48 levels, which house restaurants, offices, a theme park, a hotel, and several entertainment avenues. You can so much more than shopping once you get here. What’s more, the Berjaya Times Square Mall is also the world’s ninth largest building, and needless to say, one of the world’s biggest shopping malls. Enjoy browsing amongst more than 100 stores, shopping for items from Giordano, Esprit, Hush Puppies and a host of other designer brands.
- Langkawi Parade –Langkawi
The whole of Langkawi is a shopper’s paradise, and the Langkawi Parade in particular is a sore temptation to shoppers with over 40 avenues for entertainment, shopping and food. It is one of the largest malls in Langkawi, and at the same time, one of the top tourist haunts in Malaysia. You will enjoy shopping for electronics, fashion items, souvenirs, liquor and much more here.
- Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall – Langkawi
If you’re looking for bargain shopping, then a visit to Langkawi is a must. Langkawi allows for duty-free shopping, which makes this region’s retail outlets the best places to pick up things you’d pay heavy duty on, such as liquor. Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall has two levels where more than 100 retail outlets selling fashion apparel, fashion accessories, souvenirs and handicrafts from several top brands. What’s more, the mall has several eateries and plenty of entertainment options to keep your kids happy.
- The Zon Shopping Paradise – Langkawi
Zon Shopping Paradise in Langkawi offers an incredible shopping experience. You can shop for kitchenware, jewelry, fancy watches, fashion apparel, leather goods, bags and perfume apart from a horde of other goods. Given the duty-free aspect to Langkawi shopping, you’ll notice that most branded goods go for ten to forty percent less than elsewhere. So if you’re into designer brands like Versace, Calvin Klein, Gucci and Hershey, head straight to Zon Shopping Paradise, Langkawi.
- Cameron Square – Cameron Highlands
Cameron Square is Cameron Highland’s top shopping haunt. The mall’s three levels house items such as souvenirs, mobile gadgets, fashion apparel and accessories and more. Once you’re done shopping, do check out the nearby Butterfly and Strawberry Farms for some great fun. Cameron Square also sells fresh produce and grocery items, so it’s a good place to stock up. The Highlands are so beautiful, it’s a pleasure to just stroll and check out the shopping, even if you’re not buying anything.
Conclusion
Malaysia is a shopper’s paradise, especially Langkawi, which is as duty-free as they come! Langkawi is one place where the cautious feel free to splurge on designer brands, which still cost an arm and a leg, but much less than they cost elsewhere in the world. This is one of the main reasons why hordes of tourists visit Malaysia every year. Shopping is one of the main draws, apart from the incredible scenery, water sports, spas and island hopping activities on offer. So make sure you pack plenty of easy-pack shopping bags to pull out when you shop in Malaysia. You never know what fabulous item lies in wait for you to come by and grab it. Haggling is allowed at street stalls, but keep it friendly. Have a blast shopping in Malaysia and tell us all about what you bought and where!