Malaysia is a shopper's paradise. Shopping in Malaysia is an adventure of discovery. Since it is situated at the crossroads of Asia, it presents visitors with some of the best that the region has to offer. It has rare treasures of the Orient, branded designer goods and local handicrafts. The Malaysia Ringgit exchange is comparatively lower to other currencies enabling tourist dollars to be stretched further. The exemption of duty on certain items has also resulted in more competitive pricing and made shopping in Malaysia an attractive option.

Sidewalk StallShoppers can shop within the cool comforts of one-stop multi-story shopping complexes or at sidewalk stalls, bazaars, and night markets (pasar malam). There is certainly no shortage of places to shop. Malaysia's tax havens are Pulau Langkawi and Labuan. Duty free areas are also found at Rantau Panjang and Pengkalan Kubur in Kelantan, and Padang Besar and Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah.

SilkAn interesting mix of duty free shops can also be found at city centers and airports in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Penang. The things that are uniquely Malaysia are handicrafts of local origin. They range from intricate silver, brass, and pewter items to pottery and rattan. The bold designs and dazzling colors of Malaysian Batik set it apart from others within the region.

SongketOne can also shop for items that come from fashion centers of the world. They are items like designer collections, elegant footwear, exclusive watches, optical items, and quality fabrics. Electrical appliances, electronic equipment, computers, and cameras are available too.top of page

Sarawak, Penang and other island areas also have a good supply of shops selling everything from antiques to bric-brac and fashion items that make for some exciting shopping expeditions within Malaysia.

Popular shopping destinations in Kuala Lumpur

Bukit Bintang is a prime shopping district in the city and a haven for avid shoppers in search of branded and local goods.

Jalan Ampang Among the popular shopping complexes along this busy thoroughfare are the Ampang Park and shopping centres at the Jalan Ampang/Jalan Tun Razak junction. There are many boutiques for the fashionable as well as shops selling jewellery, footwear, electrical appliances and electronic goods.

Goods at Duty Free ShopBangsar This affluent suburb of Bangsar has modern shopping complexes, boutiques and attractively decorated shops selling a wide range of products such as antiques, furniture, textiles, cosmetics, household items and sports wear. Bangsar’s appeal also lies in its extensive range of dining outlets and entertainment spots, making it a magnet for evening social gatherings.

AntiquesJalan Tunku Abdul Rahman This shopping area is well-known for its antiques from China and carpets from the Middle-East. It is also renowned for imported fabrics, batik, sarongs, leather goods and men’s clothing.

Petaling Street This is Kuala Lumpur's very own Chinatown. It is inundated with shoppers in search of bargains ranging from dresses and shoes to fabrics, costume jewellery, dried and pickled foodstuff, fruits and herbal remedies. Traders spread out their mats, offering brightly coloured trinkets, wall hangings, teapots, curios and ornaments from India and Myanmar.

Central Market Housed in a refurbished pre-war building, this cultural bazaar offers visitors traditional handicraft-making demonstrations and a wide range of handicraft items such as portraits, T-shirts, personalised cards and plaques.

WARNING: Non Smoking rules in shopping centres. This may come as a pleasant surprise to some and a downer to others but the tongue-in-cheek saying that smokers are a 'dying breed' is certainly true in Malaysian shopping malls. It's a fineable offence to smoke within a shopping mall - and in many restaurants of a limited size or which do not have an open-air area.