Kuala Lumpur is a fascinating city, a metropolis that combines modernity and the longstanding traditions of the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures.Its home to the world-famous Petronas Twin Towers, and also to old but well-preserved buildings like the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, which was built in 1910. Kuala Lumpur also has a lot of local cultural festivals and plays host to international events. Moreover, the capital of Malaysia is also a great foodie destination. The cuisine is an interesting blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences, creating a truly unique flavor profile.
Another reason why millions of tourists visit Kuala Lumpur? It’s a veritable shopping haven! You can find everything and anything you want in Kuala Lumpur’s many malls and markets, including rare books and traditional clothing. Are you a shopaholic yourself? Book a tour package to Kuala Lumpur to secure affordable tickets and accommodations. This way, you’ll have even more money to shop at these great destinations.
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur shopping isn’t complete if you don’t mention Bukit Bintang (Bintang Walk), the city’s shopping and entertainment district. This busy thoroughfare is home to hundreds of establishments, including restaurants, music clubs, and, of course, plenty of shopping malls and boutiques. For those looking for haute couture, the best place to get them in the city is at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. This mall is a lavish shopping Mecca, with over 400 stores to choose from. It’s divided into six shopping zones: Couture Pavilion, where you can find designer and international brands; Centre Court, which is the events venue; Connection, were you can find bistros and cafes; Gourmet Emporium for groceries and cuisine; Home for furniture, appliances, and decor; and Seventh Heaven for relaxation, health, and wellness.
Berjaya Times Square
Another popular destination in Bukit Bintang is Berjaya Times Square, a twin-tower complex with 48 floors. It’s a major city landmark is one of the tallest twin buildings in Kuala Lumpur. Berjaya Times Square is home to the largest Borders Bookstore in the world, along with a sprawling food court called Taste of Asia that serves excellent local and international fare. What’s unique about Berjaya Times Square is that you won’t find the usual designer fashion names like Calvin Klein or Marc Jacobs. Instead, you’ll find plenty of small but popular apparel brands like 29 Fashion, Gimme More Boutique, and Giordano. Finally, and more importantly, Berjaya Times Square is linked to the Kuala Lumpur Imbi Monorail Station for shoppers’ convenience.
Sunway Pyramid
Sunway Pyramid is well-known not only in Kuala Lumpur but in all of Malaysia as an iconic Egyptian-inspired structure. Aside from its pyramid shape, it also features a huge sphinx standing at the entrance and even faux hieroglyphics on its outside walls. It’s layout is kind of confusing at first, but getting lost is actually part of the fun in this mall. Just remember that there is only one main entrance and that the old wing is the one with the Egyptian-themed design. Some of the most popular brands you’ll find at Sunway Pyramid include Elle, Dorothy Perkins, Calvin Klein, Mango, Timberland, M.A.C, Charles & Keith, Crabtree & Evelyn, Crocs, and Marks & Spencer. There are also plenty of independent retail brands. If you want to take a break from shopping, Sunway Pyramid has Malaysia’s first ice skating rink, along with an archery range, a bowling alley, and a bevy of dining options.
Petaling Street
If you want to veer away from malls, Malaysia also has a thriving street market scene. The most popular is Petaling Street, located in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown. Everything here can be bought for cheap, and haggling is also a common practice to get further discounts. As it’s located in Chinatown, you can also expect hawker stalls and restaurants with a wide array of Chinese food, seafood, and delicious local cuisine. Being a street market, you won’t be shopping in air-conditioned comfort at Petaling Street. However, the entire length of the street market is covered by a huge and recognizable green awning to help protect against the sun and rai
Kampung Baru
Kampung Baru Sunday Market is the perfect place to get everything authentically Malay, like sarongs, jewelry, and handicrafts. It’s also one of the best places in Kuala Lumpur to sample authentic Malay cuisine like nasi lemak, rojak (a spicy salad with a mix of fruit and vegetables), satay, and kuih. Do note that while Kampung Baru Sunday Market has “Sunday” in its name, it’s actually open from Saturday night to Sunday morning. Schedule your visit accordingly to make the most of your shopping experience.
Kuala Lumpur has many, many more places where you can save and splurge. Even if you don’t have a big shopping budget, you can always windowshop and simply spend your time experiencing a different country’s culture.
