Malaysians love to shop. I believe the favourite national pastime in the weekends is strolling through one of the many shopping malls. For the locals, it’s a family-outing or a way of spending time with friends. It’s also a great opportunity to people-watch or escape the scorching tropical heat outside! For tourists, Kuala Lumpur is a true shoppers’ haven. The number of malls and the variety of products are simply mind-boggling. In addition, the favourable exchange rate of the Malaysian Ringgit against major currencies makes shopping one of the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur. Here’s where to shop in Kuala Lumpur:
Shopping in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur (KL) has loads of malls. In the city centre, Suria KLCC (at the base of the Petronas twin towers) and the Bukit Bintang/Jalan Imbi areas dominate the shopping scene. Suria KLCC is one of my favourites as there’s a wide choice of labels and probably KL’s largest bookstore, Kinokuniya.
In the Bukit Bintang area, you have a variety of malls such as the high-end Starhill, the mid-end Lot 10 and the wonderfully chaotic Sungei Wang Plaza (great bargains here for electronics, jewellery, watches and clothes). Not far from Sungei Wang, there’s another massive mall: Berjaya Time Square.
Also located in the vicinity are two of KL’s most popular IT malls: Imbi Plaza and Low Yat Plaza. IT geeks will be awe-struck by the huge range of IT hardware and software at these two malls.
Starhill Gallery, with its upmarket boutiques (Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, etc..) is certainly worth visiting. In addition to being a quiet retreat from the hustle-and-bustle outside, it features a stylish interior, an amazing atrium and a variety of some of the best restaurants in KL (in the Feast Village). Opposite Starhill is the Pavilion, a ginormous mall with more designer boutiques and a breathtaking atrium. The designer boutiques (Gucci, Zegna, Chanel, etc..) are on the ground floor. There’s a huge food court in the basement whilst the top floor has several excellent fine dining options.
Alfresco shopping
For those who are more into alfresco shopping, head for Petaling Street in Chinatown for souvenirs, clothing, food, electronics and fashion accessories. Don’t forget to bargain furiously!
Across the road from Petaling Street, you’ll find Central Market, another great spot for souvenir-hunters. The Central Market used to be KL’s wet-market but was converted into an artisan’s centre in the eighties. It’s a great place to find beautiful wood carvings, batik prints, songket weaves, paintings, pewter and locally-made fashion accessories. Read more about Chinatown Kuala Lumpur.
Suburban malls
If you’re still not done with shopping, then head to the Mid Valley City Megamall, about a 15 minute drive outside the city centre. This mall is one of Southeast Asia’s largest – I believe it’s almost a mile long. The serious shopper can definitely spend a day or two there. Next door, shoppers can continue to splurge at The Gardens, an up-market mall with a whole range of designer boutiques and ditto restaurants (check out the beautiful Alexis bar/restaurant for some great food and drinks).
The major suburbs all have their own shopping malls. In the Damansara suburb, there are several major shopping malls such as One Utama (another massive mall around the same size as the Megamall) and The Curve. In the swanky Bangsar suburb, there’s the Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC) and the Bangsar Village (I & II). And Subang Jaya has its Subang Parade.
One last tip: wear a pair of comfortable walking shoes when you head out to the malls. Once you start exploring the malls, it’ll be hard to stop!
Read about my stay at The Ruma Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Read about my stay at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Read other Velvet Escape posts on Malaysia:
- Ten things to do in Kuala Lumpur
- The Kinabatangan river safari
- The orangutans of Sabah
- The magic of Kuching
- Getting over my ‘Jaws’ complex
thx for such.a detauled post. im a young female can you recommend what to do around shopping for 3 days here in september??? thanks 🙂
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[…] Shop Till You Drop in Kuala Lumpur […]
[…] Shop till you drop in Kuala Lumpur […]
more than 3x a year.. all year! when the economy is down , they love declaring SALES on ever corner! see.. that’s why I’m so broke 😛 (jimmy choo’s!!!)
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Thank you.
Best regards,
Keith
Great articles and it’s so helpful. I want to add your blog into my rrs reader but i can’t find the rrs address. Would you please send your address to my email? Thanks a lot!
Thank you for your comment. I guess, living in a tropical country, that this would very much be the case. 🙂
Cheers,
Keith
You are right that the favorite past time during weekends is to stroll around the malls. But this is mainly to escape the afternoon sun and heat, and enjoy the free air-conditioning at the malls 🙂
[…] Shop till you drop. From swanky high-end malls along Bukit Bintang Street to roadside stalls in Chinatown, KL is a […]
You spoke right into my heart. I love this post I love shopping!
Thanks for your comment Lilliy! And guess what? The Mega Sales are on right now in Malaysia! 🙂
Cheers,
Keith
WOW! i don’t like shopping at all but you made this seem exciting and something i’d like to do. hmm…maybe a trip to these malls in KL in our future! thanks!
[…] Shop Till You Drop in Kuala Lumpur […]
[…] Shop Till You Drop in Kuala Lumpur Don’t forget to pack easy walking shoes! […]
Thanks Jen! I think you & KL will get along magnificently! 🙂
Keith
I’m in Barca now. Lost wifi for a few days in Marrakech, but I’m back in business and snooping around everybody’s blog again! I think me and KL will get along just fine…..
Thanks for your comment. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the August sales! 🙂
Cheers,
Keith
I love shopping and I have always wanted to visit Malaysia… Now I want to go even more! I wish I could make it to that August mega sale.