Kuala Lumpur’s Shopping Sensation

Like most cosmopolitan hubs around the world, the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur is studded with extravagant shopping malls, colorful local markets and atmospheric side streets filled with quaint boutiques and great buys. This is the go-to place in the Malaya Peninsula for designer names and high-end fashion brands, with swanky new malls lined with international boutiques as well as up and coming local brands. Kuala Lumpur is where you can find the latest fashion and trends, a staggering variety of shops as well as some of the best bargains in the region.

Starhill Gallery. Photo Credits - ronnieliew

Bukit Bintang

Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the Bukit Bintang area is the Malaysian equivalent to New York’s Fifth Avenue and Tokyo’s Ginza district. Pavilion is a popular mall in the area, offering a boulevard-style shopping experience with street-front duplex stores facing Jalan Bukit Bintang. It boasts 7 floors of up-market boutiques selling everything from fashion to beauty to luxury goods. Located just opposite that is Starhill Gallery, a luxury powerhouse that is home to the world’s top luxury brands – from Van Cleef and Arpels to Lanvin and Louis Vuitton.

KLCC. Photo Credits - miusam-ck

KLCC

Another key shopping area in Kuala Lumpur is the KLCC area, which is just five minutes’ drive away from Bukit Bintang. Suria KLCC Mall, located at the foot of the world-famous Petronas Twin Towers, is one of the capital’s swankiest shopping hotspots, housing major international designer fashion labels as well as mid market brands. There is something here for everybody!

Sungei Wang

Sungei Wang. Photo Credits - kibitanFor a more down-to-earth retail therapy, head over to Sungei Wang Plaza, located just a five-minute walk away. It is one of the older malls in the area, but it remains tremendously popular, with a labyrinth of shops and alleyways where you can hunt for surprising gems at an affordable price. Plenty of boutiques here strut products created by famous Malaysian designers, such as Jonathan Cheng, Melinda Looi and Williem Liew.

Other than shopping, the capital of Malaysia also provides plenty of attractions be it art, culture, history or even adventure. Check out Kuala Lumpur’s new buzz for our latest tips on what to do in this lively metropolis!

Central Market

Just a few minutes away from Chinatown is the Central Market, built in 1888 as a wet market. The art-deco inspired architecture is now classified as a Heritage Site, a one-stop shopping destination for uniquely Malaysian products such as handicrafts, traditional and contemporary artworks, kebayas, songkets, batik and wood-carvings, among others.

Bangsar Village. Photo Credits - MyLifeStory

Bangsar Telawi

Formerly known for its happening nightlife, Bangsar Telawi is better known these days for its trendy shops catering to budget-conscious fashionistas. Many independent boutiques lining in the rows of shop-houses carry various local designs, from dresses, shoes, accessories and more. The very unique Thirtyfour, open to the public only by appointment, is an interdisciplinary design studio that also doubles up as a boutique with its range of hand-made leather bags and accessories. Near by, Baci store is filled with unique styles sourced from all around Asia, all at an affordable price. Alternatively, you can also head over to Bangsar Village Shopping Centre, which hosts upmarket labels in air-conditioned comfort.

While you enjoy the various shopping destinations in Kuala Lumpur, don’t forget to also try out the various must-try Malaysian food – the various cultural influences make for an array of treats for your enjoyment! And on top of that, Malaysia is also home to some of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Be sure to check them out through this list of 8 Great Malaysian Adventures.

Batik & Songket. Photo Credits - wizan

Buy Malaysian – Songket & Pewter

The Malay Songket and Pewter Ware are both unique local handicraft items that serves as great gifts. The Songket is an exquisite fabric created with an intricate supplementary weft technique where gold threads are woven in between silk threads of the background cloth. The resulting fabric is an ethereal textile that can take months to hand-make. Pewter Ware is another product unique to the country, and you can take up various tours into the factory to witness first-hand the making of these exquisite items.