SHOPPING is one of the much-loved pastimes of Malaysians. During weekends, it is not uncommon to see malls packed to the brim with people out and about, frequenting the many shops and brands on offer and spending time with their friends and families. It should therefore come as no surprise that Kuala Lumpur is ranked fourth on CNN Travel’s top 10 best shopping cities in the world, even above the French fashion capital Paris and bustling Hong Kong.
Adding to its appeal, Kuala Lumpur has also been named one of the top-10 must-see cities globally, according to MasterCard’s Global Destination Cities Index 2012, explaining the throngs of tourists who come to visit.
The shopping scene in Kuala Lumpur lends truth to the statement that sometimes, bigger really is better. Here in the nation’s capital, three of the world’s top 10 largest malls can be found.
1 Utama Shopping Centre, Midvalley Megamall and Sunway Pyramid, ranked fourth, sixth and ninth respectively, all contribute to the city’s vibrant shopping landscape, offering locals and tourists alike a one-stop leisure destination.
1 Utama, for example, boasts Asia’s largest indoor rock-climbing facility, an impressive rooftop garden with 500 species of exotic plants, an indoor rainforest with Koi ponds and freshwater aquariums, and more than 650 shops including a vast range of retail outlets, cineplexes, and restaurants, all under one roof.
In addition to the sheer size of our malls, shopping in Kuala Lumpur promises variety, value and convenience.
Shopping establishments cater for every taste and budget, with something to offer both the young and the old, fashionistas and sports addicts, and even gamers. Everyone will be able to find what they want and even some items they did not even know they wanted. Technology junkies looking to get their hands on latest gadgets know to head to the famous Low Yat Plaza, deemed by the Malaysia Book of Records “Malaysia’s Largest IT Lifestyle Mall”, while those looking for quality fabrics at reasonable prices often head over to Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman, a popular desination for those looking to buy silk and other quality materials.
Many Malay fashion houses can also be found there. Meanwhile, shoppers hunting for the latest in affordable Asian style should definitely visit Berjaya Times Square and Sungei Wang Plaza.
Shopping in Kuala Lumpur not only caters to different interests and styles, but also offers a mix of experiences.
A full spectrum of retailers comprising haute-couture designer brands, fashion-forward local designers and more affordable prêt-a-porter items can be found in Kuala Lumpur, and in a variety of different settings. From modern air-conditioned shopping malls and departmental stores such as those found in Suria KLCC and Pavilion, to specialty stores and handicraft centres, such as those found in the iconic Central Market, bazaars and night markets, shopping in Kuala Lumpur provides a vibrant and invigorating experience at every turn.
The ever popular “pasar malam” or night market is an open-air market featuring hawker stalls that sell a variety of local produce including food stuff and clothing.
A novel experience for visitors, particularly those not accustomed to the bargaining that often accompanies a purchase, these night markets usually begin their trading activities in the late afternoon and often feature street artists who entertain the evening crowd while they browse the wares on offer.
Anyone visiting Kuala Lumpur should definitely not miss what is, perhaps, the city’s most famous “pasar malam”, Petaling Street in Chinatown. One of Kuala Lumpur’s most popular shopping boulevards, it offers affordable merchandise ranging from timepieces to the latest in trend-setting apparel, shoes and handbags.
The area also has dozens of restaurants and food stalls where shoppers can seek a short reprieve from shopping, grabbing a bite of local favourites such as Hokkien noodles, ikan bakar (barbecued fish), assam laksa and curry noodles.
A shopping trip to Kuala Lumpur would not be complete without a trip to Central Market, an award-winning tourist attraction and shopping destination as well as a landmark for Malaysian culture and tradition.
Offering tourists an insight into Malaysia’s unique heritage, it offers a must-visit destination for exclusively-made handicrafts, antiques and art.
Recognising its rich history which dates back to 1888 when it was originally used as a wet market, Central Market was recently awarded the prestigious FIABCI Malaysia Property Award in the “Heritage” Category this year.
Kuala Lumpur’s attractive offering comes from its winning combination of high quality shopping, affordable prices and highly anticipated sale periods held three times a year in March, May and December, respectively, stretching over several months.
This year’s Year-End Sale, for example, started on November 10 and will run through till January 1 next year.
The modern metropolis of Kuala Lumpur also offers unrivalled convenience. With shopping locations centrally situated, people are spoilt for choice as most of the shopping areas are within walking distance or just a taxi ride away. Moreover, the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur offers more than just a shopping paradise, with a rich history and unique character, many cultural and heritage sites can be found and are just waiting to be explored.
After the sun goes down, shoppers tired out from a day out can head to one of the many bars and clubs that dot the city for an unforgettable night on the town.
Visitors to Kuala Lumpur will certainly be well taken care of by friendly Malaysians eager to lend a helping hand, and need not worry about a language barrier either, as most, if not all, locals are able to converse in English, making getting around town relatively easy and straight forward.
Kuala Lumpur offers a one-of-a-kind destination for shopaholics of every kind, a paradise for locals as well as foreigners whose feedback and support have helped put the city and Malaysia on the global map.
The government continues to work with the Tourism Ministry to scale up Malaysia’s efforts to upgrade Kuala Lumpur’s infrastructure making it even easier for tourists and locals to get around, enhancing an already pleasant experience.
So for Malaysians looking for a short weekend of retail indulgence and thinking of paying for a plane ticket to Hong Kong or Bangkok, take a moment to look at what is offered at your doorstep. You may not need to travel so far to satisfy your shopping desires.
