Everything You Need To Know About Shopping In Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia. The city first began as a settlement in 1857 that was used for mining tin. Thanks to the number of goods that were available in the area, it quickly grew into a big community and eventually became one of Southeast Asia's most important cities. The town that you see today is modern and vibrant with soaring skyscrapers and plenty of tourist attractions. Kuala Lumpur is still a growing city and is expected to develop even further with new establishments, businesses, and projects that make it a desirable place to work, live and travel.

One thing that Kuala Lumpur is known for is shopping, and it is heaven for fashion lovers looking to do some retail therapy. Although you should make a point to visit the museums and landmarks of the city, we strongly encourage you to take the time to go shopping in Kuala Lumpur as well.

If you don't know where to start we've got you covered with some of the best shopping malls, designer stores, and street markets to be found in the city centre and beyond. By the end of the day, you will have your hands full with shopping bags. Stow them safely at a Kuala Lumpur luggage storage facility and keep shopping!

Shopping Malls and Outlets in Kuala Lumpur

Central Market

The Central Market of Kuala Lumpur first began as a wet market back in 1888, and now it is one of the most popular malls in the city. This art-deco retail centre is stylish and inviting, and is a well known place thanks to its high quality products that are being sold at affordable prices. It is also a great place to go if you want to gain a deeper understanding of the heritage and culture of the city and its people!

At the market, you will find different areas each representing a unique culture, like Chinese, Indian and Malaysian. There is also a zone called the Art Lane where you can find paintings and other artworks for cheap. Some of the things that you might see include woodcrafts, metal crafts, beadworks, clay jars, fabrics, beaded jewelry, and handicrafts that will inspire any traveler with a creative mind. Other fashion items being sold include clothes, bags, and sarongs.

Berjaya Times Square Shopping Mall

Make your way to Berjaya Times Square! The Berjaya Times Square mall caters to a wide range of visitors, from bargain hunters to thrill seekers, and on average the doors of the shopping centre welcome nearly 2.5 million guests each month! There is no surprise as to why so many people like to shop here since there are over 1,000 stores to explore. It is known to have cheaper prices than some other places so you can shop till you drop, and you will have a large selection of international brands and local brands to browse.

The international stores will sell the same kinds of things that you can buy in other malls around the world, but the Malaysian stores are where you can really find unique items. Some of the stores that we suggest you visit include Soda, Seed, Padini, and Vincci. Once you have had enough of shopping you can check out everything else that the mall has to offer, including an indoor theme park and an IMAX theater showing 2D and 3D films. There is also an arcade and some food courts where you can grab a bite to eat.

Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

The Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Pavilion KL, is a huge shopping mall found in the Bukit Bintang district. Inside the Pavilion KL, you will find an office block and fitness centre as well as two separate shopping malls and two residential towers. The space is huge, sprawling at 150,000 square meters, and has 7 floors!

Keep an eye out for international names like Louis Vuitton, Adidas, Coach, or Topshop. There are also plenty of places to find designer clothing and fine jewelry. If you get hungry at any point you can dine at a wide selection of restaurants or pick up something at the on-site supermarket. Maybe catch a movie at the mall's cinema after you've finished shopping.

Gardens Mall

Another one of the best malls in Kuala Lumpur is called Gardens Mall. This retail centre houses many luxury brands suitable for all of the trendiest shoppers, and it is fun to go window shopping here as well. If you don't find something that you like, walk through the underground corridor and pedestrian bridge that connects this mall to the Mid Valley Megamall.

Most of the brands found in this mall can be seen in other Kuala Lumpur shopping centres as well, like Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, and Versace. Other stores that you will find include Calvin Klein, Gucci, AX Armani Exchange, Hermes, and Burberry.

Suria KLCC Mall

One of the best shopping malls in the city is the Suria KLCC Mall because it offers such a wide range of items. The crescent-shaped building first opened its doors in 1999 and will be easy to find since it is housed in the Petronas Twin Towers on the ground floor.

Whether you are looking for fashion, healthcare essentials, homeware, sports equipment, basic t-shirts, or lifestyle items, this mall will have it. There is also way more to do here than just shop, and plenty of entertainment outlets are located nearby. Take some time away from shopping to check out the KLCC Park, the Petrosains Discovery Centre, or the Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS concert hall. The mall has its own cinema, too!

Plaza Low Yat

Plaza Low Yat should make your list of shopping centres to visit in the Kuala Lumpur city centre, especially if you are in the market for new mobile phones or electronics. As one of the oldest shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur, it has gathered an impressive number of customers who consider it their go-to place for all things tech-related.

Aside from cell phones, you can also find cameras and every kind of accessory imaginable. Some stores do sell fakes and duplicates so make sure that what you are buying is legitimate, especially if it is being offered at a very low price. If you want to get some really great discounts you should check out the smaller stores found in the higher levels of the mall.

Mid Valley Megamall

If you find yourself at the Gardens Mall and feel like doing more shopping, the Mid Valley Megamall in Mid Valley City should be your next stop. The two malls are connected and this one is quite impressive, as it is one of the biggest shopping malls in all of Southeast Asia! Try to reserve a couple of hours if you want to explore it all since there are 5 floors and a total of 430 shops to visit. The Village Grocer found in the mall is where you should go for all of your premium food needs.

Some of the mall's entertainment options to look out for include Golden Screen Cinemas, which is a movie theater that has 18 screens, as well as a bowling alley located on the 5th floor of the mall. Big stores like Harvey Norman and Metrojaya have locations here as well, so you can shop for everything from furniture and electronics to men's, women's, and children's clothing.

Starhill Gallery Kuala Lumpur

Ready for some upscale shopping? Starhill Gallery in the Bukit Bintang area has 7 floors filled with luxury brands and high-end shopping opportunities, making it the optimal destination for treating yourself to a shopping spree. The brands come from all over the world and cater to a wide range of styles.

Aside from fashion and accessories, Starhill Gallery is a great place to go to eat. In fact, it has entire floors dedicated to restaurants and eateries! The Feast and Relish food court will make sure that you never go hungry, and once your stomach is satisfied you can browse through some of the shops. Rolex, ZEITWINKEL, and Tom Ford are some of the high-end brands that you will see.

Sungei Wang Plaza

As one of the oldest shopping malls in Bukit Bintang, the Sungei Wang Plaza definitely paved the way for the shopping scene in Kuala Lumpur. This mall was first established in 1977 and is nicknamed the "River of Gold", which is accurate since it has an abundance of items offered for great prices.

Although it has been around for decades, this is still one of the main shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur and is a favorite destination for many locals who love shopping. On site, you will find over 500 different stores and outlets, and the upper floors are dedicated to children's and youth's clothing. In the lower levels, many of the rooms are used as art workshops, and bargain hunters should check out the middle floors.

Designer Stores in Kuala Lumpur

Vitra

If you've shopped enough for yourself or feel as though your home could use a makeover, then Vitra is where you will want to be. This store is located in a beautiful 2,500 squared feet location with natural lighting that really lets you admire the vibrant colors and designs of the unique home decor that they sell.

Vitra is a Swiss brand that has made its way to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and it will be your go-to spot for new furniture and accessories for your home. The pieces that they sell really make a statement and are sure to be topics of conversation for all of your visitors.

Tsutaya Books

This is one for all of you bookworms out there! Tsutaya Books will steal your heart with its 31,000 squared feet shop that is filled from floor to ceiling with all kinds of books and accessories. Aside from the 240,000 novels stocked on their shelves, you can also buy stationery and other items.

Whether you have an interest in science, movies, politics, fiction, history, business, cooking, or gardening, there is a book here for you. Additionally, this shop also has a big area dedicated to children as well as the Learning Room where they can go to learn and play. There is even a cafe on site selling coffee and tasty Japanese treats.

Lilin + Co

Lilin + Co is a modern candle brand that follows a minimalist style, and this is reflected in their shop with high ceilings and lots of open space. Stored on each wall is a collection of perfectly placed candles.

Not only do they smell amazing, but the candles made by Lilin + Co make fantastic gifts for loved ones, too. Come here to see what they have to offer, and to appreciate the locally handmade items that they sell!

The Best Shopping Areas in Kuala Lumpur

Petaling Street Market

If you find yourself in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown you should make some time to visit the market on Jalan Petaling Street. The lively atmosphere will draw you into the area where local culture and fashion coincide. The things sold here go for cheap prices with lots of dupes and counterfeits of name brands available.

The Petaling market has more than enough options for clothes, shoes, accessories, and all sorts of other items. There are also plenty of stalls selling great food and snacks as well! Keep this place in mind if you are looking for souvenirs, too.

Taman Connaught Night Market

If you ask around locally, you might hear people calling this market Cheras Pasar Malam. It is a weekly market that happens only once every seven days, so free your schedule for a Wednesday night if you want to check it out. It is a pretty special place to visit since it is Malaysia's longest running night market!

It is hard to say what you can buy here since almost everything that you can think of is available. The things being sold in the market stalls can vary greatly from one another, making it the perfect destination to find basically anything. It is fun to just wander around and browse, too! The vendors don't mind if you bargain with them, meaning that you can find some great deals.

Your Guide to Kuala Lumpur Shopping

Kuala Lumpur started out as a small town, and now it is a megacity filled with incredible entertainment (some of the activities are free), dining, and shopping options. Many of the shopping centres and markets combine all three of those categories with restaurants and cinemas located inside the malls as well. Retail therapy is a whole experience here in Kuala Lumpur, so make the most of it by treating yourself to something nice from the city's designer stores!