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Delve into an oasis of fascinating shopping to your heart’s content!
Malaysians adore shop ping, and the capital city, Kuala Lumpur (KL) has taken the city’s shopping experience to greater heights with an extensive range of choices for shoppers with glitzy shopping malls, designer stores, street markets etc. Embrace this vibrant shopping experience to uncover the best picks for you.
Introduction
Kuala Lumpur is the largest city in Malaysia and gained city status in 1972. It was an ancient mining town which also had rubber plantation industries in the mid-19th century. Due to the success of these industries, communities settled here and expanded trade. After gaining city status KL became more successful, becoming a force not only in Malaysia but also in Southeast Asia at present.
KL is one of the best destinations for shopping in the world. In 2012, KL was ranked 4th best shopping city in the world in a survey conducted by CNN Travel after New York, Tokyo, and London endorsing the stature of the shopping experience the city offers to its shoppers.
Malaysia’s shopping segment alone contributes a healthy percentage of foreign exchange through tourist sales. So, it is not only Malaysians who love to go shopping here but also scores of visitors using hotels in Kuala Lumpur as they love the extravagant array of shopping and entertainment available to them in this city.
Take your pick of the places from the following ones to uncover fashion, accessories, food, and entertainment for your quirky tastes.
Luxury Shopping
These names are synonymous with luxury shopping in KL, it is not only the experience of shopping, but these shopping destinations also offer a well-spaced setting, attractive layout and a great ambience that appeals to visitors to linger and enjoy.
Pavillion KL – Pavillion is an award-winning Mall, the recipient of the Malaysia Tourism Award in 2009 for the most Innovative Shopping Centre and other international awards. Spread over 7 levels with over 450 retail shops spread throughout. The 7th floor is dedicated to shops catering to ladies including clothing, fashion, spa facilities and beauty salons. Many reputable brand names around the world are sold here. Apart from shopping a large food court, coffee shops, a large Cinema, karaoke facilities etc are available for shoppers.
Suria KLCC – The crescent-shaped Suria KLCC is situated directly beneath the popular twin towers of KL, Petronas Towers, KLCC is held in high esteem in Malaysia. Probably due to its proximity to Petronas this luxury shopping mall is one of the busiest ones in KL attracting over 40 million visitors for a year.
With over 320 retail shops this mall offers shopping, dining, and entertainment including KL’s largest bookstore Kinokuniya. An orchestra hall, a cinema, and an aquarium which are often visited by guests from hotels like PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur, an Art Gallery and the Convention Centre are also a part of KLCC. Using the Sky Bridge at KLCC that connects to Pavillion Mall, locals and visitors can easily walk through from one to the other.
Starhill Gallery KL – Another luxury mall with 7 levels of renowned brand names from around the world. This sprawling mall was tagged as Starhill Gallery recently due to it having the largest luxury watch gallery in the world. Many collectors of fine watches from far and near visit this glittering Gallery with fine interiors and piano music to entertain visitors. Situated across from Pavillion Mall, Starhill Gallery has good dining facilities on two levels, the ground floor and the lower ground floor.
Berjaya Times Square (BTS) – A huge shopping mall, one of the largest in the world and a popular shopping destination with over 1000 retail outlets including fashion, accessories, speciality products, homeware and more. It also offers over 60 dining facilities including a large food court on the 10th floor.
Mid-range Shopping
As shopaholics can have different budgets, for those seeking mid-range shopping these venues would be ideal.
Factory Outlet Store (FOS) – An excellent option for catching good bargains in KL, the clothes and other items sold at these outlets are sourced directly from the factory itself hence the products are genuine and top brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren at amazing prices.
Sungei Wang Plaza – Also called the River of Gold, this plaza has been in operation since 1977. Offering a myriad of items for sale from clothing to jewellery and many more things, shoppers can pick up items at ease and come away with good bargains, so work on your haggling skills, however, be fair to the vendors.
Reject Shop – A popular chain of shops, they sell off-season clothing and styles which have been discontinued in the customers’ country. These are good brand names and are fully worth the price you pay. You must look through items patiently to pick a style, colour and size that is to your satisfaction. There are many Reject Shop outlets in different areas of KL.
Embrace the Markets and Street Shopping in KL
KL is blessed with a tropical climate enabling markets to thrive with shoppers having a wide array of choices. These stalls offer many goods at unbelievably cheap prices and visiting these is a great way to get a feel for the local culture and discover historical places of KL. Here are a few of the markets.
KL Central Market – Having been in existence since 1888 as a wet market, this market was expanded many times and still retains the stall concept though with a modern look. It is a Heritage Site of Malaysia and a popular attraction for tourists. You can pick up handicrafts, Malaysian Batik, and embroidery work among other things from here.
Kasturi Walk – An enchanting flea market next to the Central Market this covered walkway has vendors selling clothing, souvenirs, local snacks, shoes etc. at attractive prices.
Jalan Bukit Bintang (Bintang Walk) – Comprising the Jalan Bukit Bintang area and the side streets, the stretch is noted for trendy restaurants, bars, shops, and even a few shopping malls. You will also find shops like Zara, H&M, and others, not only shops and eating places Bintang Walk has massage salons to treat your walk-weary feet at the end of a hard day’s shopping.