Shopping
Malaysia is home to a plethora of interesting shopping spots. The country has modern shopping centers, street markets, and night markets making it a perfect shopping destination. From designer goods to the latest electronic gadgets, designer labels, Malay garments, hand-crafted wooden baskets, pewter products, jewelry, and beauty products among many things available for shoppers at a reasonable price.
The exemption of duty on a range of items has made shopping in Malaysia even more attractive. Duty-free items like cameras, watches, pens, cosmetics, perfumes, mobile phones, computers, cigarettes, and liquor are among the cheapest in the world and popular shopping items on the visitor’s list.
There are roadside stalls, bazaars, and night markets in towns throughout the country. And don’t forget to visit one of the colorful, bustling night markets also known as pasar malam found in most neighborhoods on certain days of the week which sell a variety of products along with numerous food stalls.
Malaysia caters to all types of shopping needs from cheap wallet-friendly shops to high-end luxury shops, making it a one-stop for all shopping needs.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is a major shopping destination offering a truly impressive shopping experience filled with shopping spots of all shapes and sizes. The city provides spectacular shopping spots from large megamalls, shopping complexes, and vibrant street markets this city offers numerous shopping opportunities. Whether you are looking for a local bargain, designer labels, or chain stores you will find it in Kuala Lumpur offering a true Malaysian shopping experience.
The prominent shopping malls of Kuala Lumpur are KLCC, Mid Valley Megamall, Pavilion KL, Bukit Bintang, The Garden, Berjaya Times Square, Suria KLCC, Low Yat Plaza, Starhill Gallery, Sunway Pyramid, One Utama and Sungei Wang Plaza among many others. The shopping malls offer a diverse range of shopping for products such as branded clothing, footwear, beauty, jewelry, personal care, electronics, leisure and entertainment facilities along with fast food chains and restaurants.
Petaling Street is a lively and vibrant popular street market located in Chinatown. The street is lined with numerous stalls of vendors selling a variety of jewelry, T-shirts, electronics, and other souvenir items at affordable prices. Petaling Street is also famous for its food stalls with a delicious array of local cuisine from Chinese, and Malaysian to seafood.
The Central Market is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most famous markets for handicraft shopping. Visit the numerous shops and kiosks selling handicrafts, batik prints, local arts, and souvenirs. There is a variety of must-dine restaurants and eateries at the market where you can enjoy savory delicacies while shopping. The market hosts annual festivals such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, and Diwali and is especially crowded during these festivals.
Taman Connaught night market also known as Cheras Pasar Malam is a night market held weekly on Wednesday. At this market, you can clothes, electronic gadgets, accessories, books, bags, handicrafts, household items, and more. The market has various stalls selling a variety of local delicacies and desserts.
Kasturi Walk is an open-air market outside Central Market. It houses numerous stalls selling affordable products such as local handicrafts, clothes, kebaya, watches, accessories, songket, bags, flip flops, batik, and souvenirs.
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman also known as Jalan TAR with its narrow alleyof shops offers a fantastic range of clothing, textiles, bags, leather products, sportswear, winter clothing, and luggage at irresistible bargain prices.
Plaza Mont Kiara is an open-air weekly night market that takes place every Thursday evening between 3 PM and 10 PM. The market is known for its high-quality goods such as clothes, handmade soaps, accessories, and food trucks offering international cuisines.
Penang
Penang is a great place for shopping with street markets, independent stores, and shopping centers selling everything from luxury brands, high-street fashion, retail chains, sportswear, electronics, home furnishing, ceramics, handicrafts, batik, pewter ornaments, and antiques along with stylish restaurants and cafes.
Most of the shopping malls can be found within the capital city of Georgetown and around Bayan Lepas. The most prominent shopping malls are Penang Plaza, Gurney Paragon, Queensbay Mall, 1st Avenue Mall, Straits Quay, KOMTAR, Gurney Plaza, Prangin Mall, and Mall O2O.
The Lorong Kulit Flea Market also known as The Thieves Market is the perfect place to shop vintage items like hunting knives, watches, vinyl records, binoculars, compasses, flasks, and kitchen trays among others.
Hin Pop-Up Market is a weekly pop-up market held every Sunday. It is full of local crafters and culinary traders. This little pop-up market has trinkets, souvenirs, handmade jewelry, beautiful clothes, and homemade cakes this market sells just about anything to tickle your fancy.
Occupy Beach Street Market is an open-air market on Beach Streetheld every Sunday from 7 AM to 1 PM. It is a weekly cultural, art, and crafts market selling local accessories, souvenirs, handmade crafts, homemade products, and more. You can also enjoy awesome live music and street entertainment on this street while watching historic buildings in the area.
Little Penang Street Market on Penang Street is a monthly market on the last Sunday of every month between 10 AM and 5 PM. It offers a fantastic selection of local handicrafts, jewelry, books, spices, woodcarvings, and clothes created by Penang’s finest new designers.
Design Village is an outlet mall in Penang offering a broad variety of exciting international and local brands from premium to high street brands. You can get a discount ranging from 20% and 70% off the actual retail prices.
Malacca
Malacca is a small city with exquisite and diverse shopping. The city has diverse markets, shops, and shopping malls with vendors selling handmade traditional handicrafts and antiques offering a variety of shopping options to the shoppers.
The major shopping malls of Malacca are Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall, Hatten Square Shopping Mall, Mahkota Parade, The Shore, and Plaza Hang Tuah. Shopping malls offer a variety of stores such as fashion outlets, retail stores, entertainment centers, eateries, etc. The city is a treasure trove for antique lovers and you can buy artwork, vintage coins, bank notes, porcelain, and unique finds.
Jonket Street also known as Jonker Hang Jebat in Chinatown is the most famous street of Malacca. On this street, you can eat tasty food, and shop at boutique stores, souvenir shops, and handicraft stores.
Freeport A’Famosa Outlet is an outlet shopping mall designed in Dutch architecture. At the mall, you can get discounts ranging from 30% and 70%off the actual retail prices. You can buy fashion, cosmetics, footwear, luggage, watches, and accessories from popular brands such as Aprilla, Clarks, Crocs, Esprit, Hush Puppies, Levis, Nike, Parkson, Pierre Cardin, and Puma among many others.
Ipoh
Ipohsurrises visitors with its vast range of attractive shopping destinations.It offers a wide range of places for shopping including stalls, shop houses, shopping complexes, departmental stores, hypermarkets, and night markets to cater to every taste and budget.
The prominent shopping malls of Ipoh are Parkson Ipoh Parade Mall, AEON Mall Kinta City, AEON Mall Ipoh Klebang, AEON Mall Ipoh Falim, AEON Mall Station 18, Angsana Mall Ipoh, IT Mall Ipoh, Mara Digital Ipoh, Kinta City Shopping Centre, Rapid Mall Teluk Intan and Mydin Mall Meru Raya. The shopping malls offer a diverse range of shopping for products such as branded clothing, footwear, beauty, jewelry, personal care, electronics, leisure and entertainment zones, and restaurants.
Ipoh’s night markets also known as pasar malam are set up in different areas of the city each night of the week and provide everything from clothes, toys, souvenirs, household goods, groceries, and food items.
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu is a small town but surprisingly offers a good shopping experience. All the major shopping centres are located beside Tun Razak Road and within walking distance. The shopping centres present a diverse range of retail outlets with their distinctiveness and the widespread choices on offer will leave you spellbound. Some of the popular shopping malls are Kompleks Karamunsing, Wisma Merdeka, Plaza Wawasan, City Mall, Centre Point, Warisan Square, KK Plaza, Suria Sabah Shopping Mall, Oceanus Waterfront Mall and Imago Times Square among others. The shopping malls offer everything ranging from antiques, mementoes, books, designer clothes, fresh food, camping equipment, electronic goods and computers at attractive and reasonable yet fixed prices. Sales usually take at shopping centres in the months of March, August and December every year making it a good time to pick up your favourites at discounted rates.
The Gaya Street Fair is a weekly Sunday market and the biggest open-air market great for souvenir and handicraft shopping. The Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market is good for local handicrafts, pearls, crystal, and the like, and can be found next to the waterfront.
Kuching
Kuching offers a wide selection of shops, markets, and bazaars with a mixture of old and modern-chic shopping malls offering a variety of products of major brands of clothing, household, footwear, cosmetics, electronics, handicrafts, jewelry, boutique stores, and souvenir shops. There are a variety of shopping malls spread throughout the city offering you an opportunity to shop at every turn.
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru provides an awesome shopping experience with a number of cutting-edge malls. Singaporeans frequently visit the city during weekends or public holidays
for shopping as goods are generally cheaper here in Johor Bahru.
The city has many quality shopping malls that offer electronics, clothing, footwear, accessories, handicrafts, and souvenir shops along with a fine selection of fast-food outlets, coffee shops, and food courts. There are numerous street markets and traditional shops in houses along with duty-free stores. Shopping malls and markets typically open till late at night.
Luxury Galeries is an outlet for shopping bags, wallets, and wristlets. They are sold at a discount ranging from 10% to 70% off the actual retail prices. All items sold here are 100% authentic and assessed for authenticity and examined for defects before being put up for sale.
Johor Premium Outlets is a luxury brand outlet with internationally renowned names spanning apparel, footwear, and home furnishings. These include a mixture of high-street fashion labels such as Guess, Coach, Michael Kors, Versace, Timberland, and top designer brands such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Kate Spade, and Hugo Boss. The brand’s outlets offer impressive discounts from 25% to 65% off every day. Johor Premium Outlets is also known for its Saving Passport which can be obtained from their information center to get their latest discounts on all the outlets available here.
Sandakan
Sandakan has a good mix of local street markets and small stores with a few shopping malls such as Sejati Mall, Centre Point Mall and Harbour Mall found at Harbour Square by the waterfront where you will find a nice range of restaurants to sample diverse cuisines.
Putrajaya
Shopping in Putrajaya revolves mainly around shopping malls. You can shop at various brand stores along with entertainment, activities, and restaurants available for visitors to enjoy.
Suria Mall caters to all retail needs and modern lifestyle offerings. There are a number of fashion boutiques and a supermarket selling products at affordable prices. The mall features a vibrant mix of gourmet restaurants, alfresco cafes, and special theme eateries.
IOI City Mall is a sprawling shopping mall with trendy fashion brands, supermarkets, cineplexes, dining outlets, an indoor ice skating rink, and a theme park. The shopping center has a colorful water fountain and offers a beautiful sunset view.
Alamanda Putrajaya provides a pleasant shopping experience. The shopping center has a variety of shops, restaurants, bowling alleys, movie theatres, and a food court.
The Mines Mall offers a unique shopping experience with a man-made beach and lagoon, a shopping mall, and a theme park.
Langkawi
Langkawi is a beautiful tropical island and a shopping paradise. It is a duty-free shopping destination attracting many tourists. With a large concentration of duty-free stores that stock items ranging from chocolates, strong liquor, wine, cigarettes, perfumes, cosmetics, luggage bags, suitcases, cooking and kitchenware, and sports shoes are cheap compared to the rest of Malaysia. It should be noted that all stores are not duty-free only the designated malls, shopping centres, and stores duty duty-free.
Handmade souvenirs and apparel are aplenty on this island as well, where visitors can get authentic batik and songket prints at attractive prices.
Best Areas For Shopping in Langkawi
Langkawi, a tropical paradise known for its stunning beaches and lush landscapes, offers more than just natural beauty. For avid shoppers, this Malaysian archipelago is a haven waiting to be explored. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll navigate through the best areas for shopping in Langkawi, uncovering hidden gems and popular spots that cater to diverse tastes.
1. Jerry Point Complex: The Jerry Point Complex is a two-story shopping Duty-Free mall situated at Langkawi’s main ferry terminal. There is an attractive range of items available here for shoppers such as clothing, accessories, shoes, sportswear, leather goods, jewelry, watches, cosmetics, lingerie, liquor, perfume, tobacco, chocolate, pewter, handicraft, batik, crystal, glassware, confectionary, silk fabrics and electronics. It also has a bowling alley, amusement center, Starbucks, and a couple of places to eat.
2. Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall: Langkawi Fair is located on the south side of the island at the edge of the capital Kuah. It is the biggest shopping mall on the island and can satisfy all your shopping craves. Visitors can get a variety of items here including electronic items, apparel, cosmetics, perfume, paintings, leather products, sportswear, accessories, confectioneries, liquor, and cigarettes. There are factory outlet shops for discounted denim and shoes do check out the Levi’s and Clark stores.
3. Teow Soon Huat Duty-Free: Teow Soon Huat Duty-Free is a large duty-free shopping center. You can shop for chocolate, perfume, liquor, apparel, tobacco, bags, luggage, and groceries. It is a large shopping center with shops, supermarkets, spas, cafes, and restaurants. It offers discounts on a daily basis and it can go up to 70% of the original price.
4. Zon Duty-Free: Zon Duty-Free is one of the most prominent shopping malls located next to the underwater world. It features some of the best bargains and deals around the island. Here, you can shop for a variety of items such as chocolates, liquor, jewelry, perfumes, watches, leather goods and selected designer brands. After shopping, make your way to the adjacent food court to sample some local delicacies.
5. Coco Valley: Coco Valley is a heaven for chocolate lovers in Langkawi. You will find a wide variety of chocolates such as milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, and chocolate that contains liquor. This place offers a duty-free policy, meaning that all of the chocolate products sold here are generally cheaper than in other places. You can also find tax-free champagne, whiskey, wine, perfume, cigarettes and watches.
6. Tioman Island: Tioman Island is one of Malaysia’s most popular small islands. It is a duty-free island and exemption mainly pertains to tobacco, wine, beer, liquor, and cigarettes lower than most airports. There are a number of duty-free shops found almost everywhere on the island. Along the main road of Tekek Village is the island’s largest duty-free shop Vision Commerce store. This convenience store offers a whole range of products where you can find souvenirs like t-shirts, key chains, kitchen utensils, liquors, batik prints, hand-crafted items, and local food products. On Salang Beach, you can also find a few duty-free shops. The shops here are generally smaller and offer a smaller variety of products.