Shopping in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a true shopping paradise in Malaysia. Avid shoppers will be delighted to discover a range of stores to suit all tastes and budgets. These include comprehensive malls, fashionable department stores, well-stocked duty-cleared stores, state-of-the-art boutiques and craft centers offering the finest products.

The city's 30 shopping malls offer endless shopping opportunities for Malaysians and foreigners alike. Most major shopping malls are conveniently located near hotels, convention centers, and public transportation. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily with extended hours during sales and festive seasons.

For the adventurous, don't miss the excitement of haggling at the open-air markets and mobile street stalls.

Malaysia's Mega Sale Carnival and Malaysia's Year-End Sale offer a host of irresistible bargains and exciting opportunities.

Bring home a pewter object carved with Malaysia's unique craftsmanship, beautiful hand-painted batik and exquisitely crafted goldsmithery.

The main commercial locations in the city are Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Ampang/ Jalan Tun Razak, Bangsar and Jalan Tun HS Lee.

Bukit Bintang

Bukit Bintang is indisputably the largest commercial area in the city, strategically located near the most prestigious hotels and chic shops. Some of the major malls that have a storefront include Starhill Gallery, Sungei Wang Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Lot 10, and KL Plaza.

Starhill Gallery Next to the JW Marriott Hotel, Starhill Gallery is an elegant building with marble floors and gold railings. Covering an area of ​​280,000 square feet, this high-end shopping mall was designed by architects and designers from Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, USA, France, Italy, England and India. 'Germany. Starhill Gallery has seven themed floors, each evoking a different experience. The 'Indulge' (indulge yourself) floor showcases designer fashions and designer brands while the 'Adorn' (adorn yourself) floor features designer watches and designer fashion accessories. To rejuvenate a weary mind and body, the 'Pamper' floor offers health and beauty services, and is said to be twice the size of Harrod's urban spa retreat in London. After a pleasant shopping experience, stop at the Feast Village for an interesting culinary experience. - Phone: 03-2782 3800 - Website: www.starhillgallery.com

Pavillion Kuala Lumpur This is one of the newest additions to Kuala Lumpur's list of high-end shopping malls. Spread over more than 1.3 million square meters, this mall has six zones that offer a wide range of experiences and indulgence. Browse through an impressive collection of designer clothes or find tasteful furniture and art objects to furnish your home. Savor delicious cuisine from around the world or rejuvenate your mind and body in exclusive spas and beauty centers. A string of karaokes, bistros and cinemas will entertain visitors. - Phone: 03-2143 8088 - Website: www.povillion-kl.com

Sungei Wang Plaza This perennially popular mall is home to over 500 retail outlets offering an incredible assortment of merchandise for all budgets. Don't miss their deals on photographic, electrical and electronic equipment, clothing and fashion accessories, bags and luggage, shoes, mobile phones, bric-a-brac, beauty salons and boutiques. Its "Fiesta Street" offers delicious Italian, American and South African cuisine. - Tel: 03-2148 6109 - Website: www.sungeiwang.com

Neighboring shopping malls Low Yat Plaza and Imbi Plaza offer the latest in IT.

Bukit Bintang Plaza One of Kuala Lumpur's oldest shopping malls, Bukit Bintang Plaza still draws crowds with its local and international merchandise offerings featuring clothing, fashion accessories, footwear, sporting goods, appliances electricity, pharmaceuticals, computers and furniture. It is integrated with Sungei Wang Plaza adjacent to it. - Phone: 03-2148 7411

Lot 10 This enormous shopping center with its characteristic green and blue striped façade caters to the high end clientele. Visitors will have no problem finding their favorite brand. Isetan is the reference store here - Phone: 03-2141 0500 - Website: www.ytlcommunity.com/lot 10/index.asp

Set back between Starhill Gallery and Lot 10, KL Plaza is a good place to shop for luxury watches, travel bags, designer shoes and jewelry.

Getting there: To get to Starhill Gallery, Sungei Wang Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Lot 10, KL Plaza and other malls located in Bukit Bintang, take the Kuala Lumpur Monorail to Bukit Bintang Station. Most shopping malls are within walking distance.

Berjaya Times Square Malaysia's largest shopping mall, spanning over 3,450,000 square feet, accommodates over 1,000 retail locations as well as restaurants and attractions. Customers will be spoiled by the vastness of choice with merchandise ranging from stylish and chic clothing, accessories, optics, footwear, home furnishings, computer devices and much more. Known stores include Debenhams, Swatch, Hush Puppies, Levi's, Body Shop and Sub & Idx. Also check out Cosmo's World theme park, Malaysia's largest indoor theme park. The Imax 2D and 3D cinemas are the largest in Southeast Asia and provide a cinematic experience. - Phone: 03-2117 3081/2 - Website: www.timessquarekl.com - Getting there: For direct access to Berjaya Times Square, take the Kuala Lumpur Monorail to Imbi Station. Alternatively, take the STAR subway line to Hang Tuah station. The shopping center is a five minute walk away.

Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman

This sector has the reputation of being the grande dame of shopping in Kuala Lumpur. The road here is flanked by pre-war buildings. The facades have been preserved and readapted for modern businesses, mainly retail. The stores offer a wide variety of fabrics and textiles, bags and luggage, carpets, and sporting goods and winter clothing. The nearby streets of Jalan Masjid India and Lebuh Ampang are also popular among shoppers. Browse the narrow aisles in search of unique bargains. The main mall in this area is the Sogo department store. Other popular malls such as Pertama Complex, Globe Silk Store, Kamdar and Tang Ling offer inexpensive items for visitors on a budget.

Sogo Departmental Store (Sogo Departmental Store) This popular Japanese department store is a big attraction for city dwellers due to its variety of merchandise, ranging from fashion clothes, household appliances, appliances, electronics and sports. The store also offers a large selection of Japanese food products. - Phone: 03-2698 2111 - Website: www.sogokl.com.my - Getting there: take the STAR metro line to Bandaraya station. Sogo is located directly opposite.

Nearby, Maju Junction Mall on Jalan Sultan Ismail is another popular mall. It is a five-minute walk from Sultan Ismail Station (STAR) and Medan Tuanku Station (Kuala Lumpur Monorail).

Jalan Masjid India

Kuala Lumpur's 'Little India' district is teeming with a colorful mix of people and goods. Pre-war Shophouses sell a wealth of authentic Indian items such as vibrantly colored traditional costumes, Indian delicacies, and beautifully crafted trinkets and accessories. Not far from there, street vendors sell oils, aromatic herbs and therapeutic roots for massages. Locals come here to buy their traditional Malay clothes and headwear.

Lebuh Ampang, located in the neighborhood, is a street with peddlers offering jasmine garlands, aromatic incense and exotic perfumes.

Getting there: Take the STAR metro line or the Putra line to Masjid Jamek station. Walk a little along Jalan Melayu before reaching the "Little India" district of Kuala Lumpur.

Jalan Ampang / Jalan Tun Razak

Located in the diplomatic enclave of Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak are home to prestigious shopping malls that not only sell internationally renowned brand name products, but also quality local products. Shoppers looking for high-end merchandise will find it among the malls described below.

Suria KLCC Located in the prestigious Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC), this very popular shopping center houses six floors of retail outlets. Its impressive mix of businesses includes Isetan, Parkson Grand and Marks & Spencer. Aseana and Pucuk Rebung are upscale boutiques offering a remarkable range of unique ethnic-inspired items. Taste the wide variety of cuisine at the “Asian Flavors” cafeteria. Take a break to enjoy the soothing ambience of KLCC Park with its pristine landscape and spectacular musical fountains. - Phone: 03-2382 3359 - Website: www.suriaklcc.com.my - Getting there: Take the Putra metro line to KLCC station and follow the signs to Suria KLCC.

Avenue K Located in the vicinity of Suria KLCC, Avenue K is an upscale shopping mall. Designed by French designer Christian Liaigre, it features the Avenue K Shopping and Lifestyle Center, a luxury hotel, short-stay apartments and a condominium tower. Avenue K offers designer labels and branded items with attractions such as a rooftop garden, exclusive spa, international bookstore, foodie deli, and state-of-the-art cafes and restaurants. - Phone: 03-2168 7888 - Getting there: Take the Putra metro line to KLCC station and follow the signs to Avenue K.

Great Eastern Mall This mall offers a variety of retail outlets to suit all tastes. Don't miss: fashion clothes, children's clothes, computer peripherals and a supermarket well stocked with imported foodstuffs. - Phone: 03-4259 8090 - Getting there: Take the Putra metro line to Jelatek station. The shopping center is a ten minute walk away.

City Square Comprising a hotel, office building and shopping mall, City Square adapts to the needs of the modern shopper. Within its two million square feet of commercial area are a range of stores that include beauty salons, art galleries, luxury boutiques and travel agencies. Other shopping malls located nearby are Plaza Ampang and Ampang Park Shopping Complex. - Phone: 03-2162 1566 - Getting there: City Square and other shopping malls around Jalan Ampang are a few minutes walk from Ampang Park station, served by the Putra metro line.

The Mall, Jalan Putra Strategically located in the vicinity of the Putra World Trade Center building, the Pan Pacific Hotel and the Legend Hotel, the mall's expansive lobby and atrium covered by a cascading glass roof makes it a magnet for barges. Its Parkson Grand department store and Cold Storage supermarket offer a wide variety of products. - Contact: 03-4042 7122 - Getting there: Take the STAR subway line to PWTC station. The shopping center is located nearby.

Petaling Street / Central Market

Visitors to Kuala Lumpur should definitely not miss a visit to this bustling open-air bazaar. Petaling Street or Chinatown is the perfect place for those who want to try their hand at haggling over their purchases. Its popular night market takes place every day. It's a great place to buy knockoffs, artifacts, Chinese bric-a-brac. Other items of interest include aromatic herbs for traditional remedies and fresh flowers. Shops here offer a variety of fabrics, clothes, watches, shoes and handbags. Petaling Street is also known for its jewelery shops with their fascinating variety of beautifully crafted silverware embellished with priceless gemstones. Pasar Seni or Central Market is an arts and crafts center offering a wide variety of products created by local artists and artisans. You can have your portrait sketched, review the memorabilia on display or visit a traditional medicine store.

- Phone: 03-2274 6542

Other malls located in the vicinity include UDA Ocean, S&M Plaza, Mydin Emporium and Kota Raya.

- Getting there: Take the Putra metro line to Pasar Seni station. The central market is located directly opposite while Chinatown and other shopping malls are a short walk away.

bangsar

The suburb of Bangsar has its own shopping malls which cater to the large expatriate community and local residents. The many restaurants and entertainment venues there make it a popular venue for social gatherings, especially in the evening.

Mid Valley Megamall

Strategically located between Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya along the federal highway, Mid Valley Megamall is one of the city's main shopping malls. Its 430 retail outlets and reference stores such as Metrojaya, Jusco and Carrefour offer a wide range of merchandise. Of particular interest are the IT Centre, Pet Wonderland, Asia's largest cineplex and gymnasium and the MPH Mega Bookstore. New here is the Chinese feng shui or geomancy shop. Be on the alert and you can benefit from the promotions that take place regularly on the ground floor of the shopping center. The Mid Valley Gardens consists of an upscale gallery with prestigious brands, buildings and the Garden Hotel which is a 5 star hotel

- Phone: 03-2938 3333 - Website: www.midvalley.com.my - Getting there: Take the KTM commuter train to Mid Valley station. The mall is connected to the station via an overhead pedestrian bridge. Alternatively, take the Putra metro line to Bangsar station. From there, there are shuttles to Mid Valley Megamall.

Bangsar Village I and II as well as Bangsar Shopping Center are other shopping malls in the area, offering a diverse range of imported foodstuffs and other merchandise.

Located on the outer fringes of the city are other major shopping centers such as One Utama, Ikano Power Centre, Tropicana, City Mall, The Curve, Pearl Point, Alpha Angle and Mines Shopping Fair.

More info with the Malaysian Tourist Office: www.ontmalaisie.com