Shopping in Kuala Lumpur promises variety, value and convenience. There is a bewildering range of shopping establishments catering for every taste and budget, which includes modern air-conditioned shopping mails, department stores, hypermarkets, shopping arcades, specially stores, handicraft centres, duty-free shops, bazaars and nightmarkets. Among the items high on the shopping list of tourists are pewter, batik, duty-free items, electrical products, pret-a-porter attire, sportswear and handicrafts.

A novel experience for overseas visitors is the night markets or 'pasar malam' which begin their trading activities in the late afternoon. These open-air markets feature hawker stalls that sell a variety of local produce, foodstuff, clothing and cakes. Haggling is a common practice. Street artists and traditional medicine vendors are an entertaining sight here.

The Shopping Carnival, an annual sale held in October/ November in Kuala Lumpur and other major cities in Malaysia is an opportune time to pick up great bargains..There are several principal shopping precincts in the city. The most popular is the area bounded by Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Sultan lsmail and Jaian lmbi in the vicinity of the hotel belt. Other popular areas are Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Cheng Lock, Petaling Street, Jalan H.S. Lee and Bangsar.

Jalan Bukit Bintang

Bukit Bintang is indisputably one of the city's foremost shopping districts offering a multitude of merchandise to suit every taste and budget. The cities major shopping outlets are located in this area namely Sungei Wang Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza, lmbi Plaza, Lot 10, Starhill Plaza and Kuala Lumpur Plaza.

Bukit Bintang Plaza

One of KL's oldest shopping centres, Bukit Bintang Plaza still attracts the crowds with its offerings of local and international goods comprising clothes, fashion accessories, footwear, sports goods, electrical equipment, pharmaceutical products, computers and furniture.

Sungei Wang Plaza

Integrated with the adjacent Bukit Bintang Plaza, Sungei Wang Plaza is a magnet for all shoppers in the city. This perennially popular shopping centre houses many retail outlets offering an incredible assortment of goods catering for all tastes and budgets.
 
 

lmbi Plaza

Located beside Sungei Wang Plaza along Jalan lmbi, this is the place for those who are interested in computer hardware and software. Take your time to check out the latest computer products at the numerous shops here.

Lot 10

This huge shopping mall with its distinctive green and blue striped facade caters to upmarket shoppers. Shoppers will have no problem finding their favourite branded designer items. lsetan is the anchor tenant.
 
 

Star Hill Plaza

Adjacent to JW Marriot Hotel, Starriill Plaza is a stylish building with marble flooring and gilded banisters. It has six floors of retail outlets, mostly exclusive boutiques with the Tangs Department Store as the anchor tenant.
 
 
 

Kuala Lumpur Plaza

Sandwiched between Lot 10 and Starhill Plaza, KL Plaza is a good place to shop for exclusive watches, travelling bags, designer shoes and jewellery. Tower Records the huge music retail outlet located here is a treasure trove of audio-visual items for music buffs.

Close to KL Tower, the Weld is known for its fashionable boutiques, optical shops, textile retail outlets and perfumeries.

Komplex Budaya Kraf * A handicraft complex at Jalan Conlay, it houses top names in local handicrafts. Here, you can look out for that chic batik outfit, ponder over the variety of home decor items, or delight in finding the perfect gift to bring back home!

On the ground floor of the complex, you can dabble in some paints and wax to create your own batik piece. At the far end of the landscaped grounds is the artists' colony where you can see artists at work or buy their paintings.

The complex is equipped with visitor facilities, including telephone booths and a restaurant.

This stretch of road is flanked on both sides by pre-war buildings whose interesting facades have been preserved and re-adapted for modern businesses, mostly retailing. Walk through the archways of these shops for an immersion into a shopping and cultural experience that goes back several decades. Major shopping centres within this area are:

Sogo

A major landmark along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the Sogo Department Store is modern and well patronised for its quality goods. The selective tenant mix includes fashion boutiques, house-hold furnishing, shoes stores, travel agencies, gift shops, cosmetic counters, jewellers and restaurants.

Pertama Complex

One of the earlier shopping complexes in the city, it has mid to budget priced items such as sportswear, shoes, handbags, watches, photographic equipment and electronic goods. One of the older shopping centres in town, this complex caters to those looking for budget priced items.

Globe Silk Store, Kamdar and Tang Ling

These stores, located along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, offer affordable shopping for those on a budget. Popular items are adults apparel, children's clothes, textiles, furnishing and bric-a-brac.
 
 
 
 

Nightmarkets * Lorong Tuanku Abdui Rahman is closed to traffic between 5pm - 10pm every Saturday and transforms into a night market where petty traders and hawkers sell an assortment of goods In-the open air. The night market offers visitors an interesting place to walk through and perhaps pick up some casual attire, local products, clothing as well as sample some local delicacies.
 
 

Jalan Masjid India * Running parallel to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, this street is lined by shops selling Indian items such as sarees, sandlewood oil, bangles, silver anklets, gold jewellery, brassware and Indian silver tableware. Other items include religious materials, handicrafts, herbs and perfumed oils.

Located within KL's diplomatic enclave the Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak area is served  by prestigious shopping complexes that boast international names as well as quality local products.  Shoppers looking for upmarket merchandise will find numerous  outlets here.

Suria KLCC * Located in the ultra-modern Kuaia Lumpur city center (KLCC) the Suria Shopping Complex tops the list as the city's newest and classiest shopping complex. Bright and cheery with a stylized logo of the sun from which it gets its name, Suria's neighbour is the majestic Petronas Twin Towers, currently the tallest in the world.

Within the Suria's gleaming multi-level floors are specially shops, department stores, fashion boutiques, designer fashion houses, jewellers and duty-free shops bursting with an enormous range of products.

Ampang Park Shopping Complex

Situated across the road from City Square and Ampang Plaza, the Ampang Park Shopping Complex is one of KL's earliest shopping centres. This is reflected in the fine and extensive assortment of goods and services offered, of which photographic items, costume accessories and apparel appeal to its shoppers.

City Square

Comprising a hotel, office building and shopping complex. City Square caters for the varied needs of the modern shopper. The shopping complex is situated at the bustling junction of Jalan Arnpang and Jalan Tun Razak. Within its 2 million sq ft of commercial area is a wide range of shops which include beauty salons, art galleries, exclusive boutiques and travel agencies.

Ampang Plaza

Housed within this Plaza is a wide selection of specially stores offering goods ranging from designer items to products for daily needs. This shopping centre is part of an integrated complex together with the adjoining City Square and Crown Princess inter-Continental Hotel.

UDA-Ocean

Located near the Klang Bus Station, it offers a wide range of apparel, shoes, handbags and textiles at reasonable prices.
 
 
 
 

S&M Plaza

Located along the intersection of Jalan Tun H.S. Lee and Jalan Cheng Lock, this complex is another attraction of KL’s Chinatown with its many little shops offering a variety of goods from hair ornaments to clothings, textiles, shoes and handbags. There are also gift shops, music shops, bookshops and toy stores.

Sinarkota

Easily accessible from the Pudu Raya bus station, Sinarkota showcases a full range of quality goods from luggage to household products, children's paraphernalia, shoes, pharmaceutical products, watches, textiles and accessories.

Petaling Street

Located at the heart of KL’s bustling Chinatown, Petaling Street is a place to head for those who are interested in experiencing the excitement of bargaining for their purchases. Its popular night market is a daily feature. This is a good place to purchase Chinese artifacts like figurines, incense-holders, paintings, joss-sticks and bric-a-brac. Other interesting items include herbs for traditional remedies and sweetmeats. Aged craftsmen at work in their shophouses can be seen producing goods such as lanterns tinware and calligraphy items along the streets.

Shops here stock a variety of textiles, clothes, shoes and handbags. Petaling Street is also known for its jewellery shops with their fascinating variety of beautifully crafted gold items set with priceless gemstones.

Within walking distance of the Pudu Raya bus station, the lively Jalan Cheng Lock area has become the focus of shoppers who like to enjoy a mixed range of retail establishments – from shopping complexes to pre-war shophouses. Go there for an absorbing atmosphere as well as for some wonderful shopping

Kota Raya * In the vicinity of Chinatown, Kota Raya has a wide range of shoes, handbags, clothing and textiles.

Central Market * Formerly Kuala Lumpur's principal 'wet-market', this bazaar-style arts and crafts centre offers a wide variety of works on sale by local artists and craftsmen. You can have your portrait sketched, or browse through souvenirs on display or visit a traditional medicine shop.

Shaw Parade * Located at Jalan Changkat Thamby Dollah in Pudu, Shaw Parade attracts a steady stream of shoppers with its range of photographic equipment, videos, home decor and specially items.

The Mall * Strategically located across the street from The Putra World Trade Centre and the Pan Pacific Hotel, its wide concourse and high atrium with a cascading glass roof makes the mall a magnet for shoppers. Its department store and supermarket, Aktif Lifestyle Stores, stocks a wide range of products.

The affluent suburb of Bangsar has emerged in recent years as a popular shopping centre for its large expatriate community and the local residents. Bangsar is centrally located between the city and the municipality of Petaling jaya, a mere 15-minute drive from the city centre. There are two modern shopping complexes, boutiques and attractively decorated shops selling a wide range of products such as antiques, furniture, textiles, cosmetics, household items, electrical goods and sports wear.

Apart from shopping complexes, Bangsar's appeal also lies in the wide choice of dining outlets and entertainment spots available, making it a magnet for social gatherings especially in the evenings.

On the Fringes * Located on the outer limits of the city are several other equally attractive shopping complexes. Among them are:

 Alpha Angle a selection of fashion apparel, shoes, travelling bags and household items.
 Pearl Point sports gear, optical goods, fashion apparel, shoes and travelling bags.
 Plaza Phoenix family shopping for value-for-money goods.
 Leisure Mall for photographic items, cosmetics, clothings, fabrics, paintings and household equipment.

Duty Free Shopping * Duty-free shops are found at most shopping complexes, at the KL International Airport, Sepang and near the National Museum. Best buys are Malaysian batik and handicrafts, chocolates, perfumes, cosmetics, jewellery, pocket calculators, hi-fi items, audio equipment, watches, cameras, cigarettes and liquors.

Hotel Shopping Arcades * A number of international standard hotels house shopping arcades catering to the needs of the discerning business and leisure travellers. These arcades offer a comprehensive selection of the latest designer goods from abroad as well as local designers. Apart from designer wear, custom made clothing and antiques are available. Gift shops, hair salons and travel agencies can also be found within these arcades.

Pewterware * Exquisitely crafted pewter items include mugs, goblets, coffee sets, ash trays, vases, figurines, clocks, letter opener and plaques. Leading names are Royal Selangor and Tumasek. They can be found at hotel shopping arcades and shopping complexes.

Batik * Batik combines wax brushing, dyeing, drying and boiling the material which may be silk, cotton, rayon or satin. Batik items include hats, scarves, ties, handkerchiefs, purses, kaftan, shirts, wrap-around skirts, sun dresses, tablecloths, handbags, purses and paintings. The quality of batik varies greatly. Good quality batik are sold at large handicraft centres.

Songket * Songket is Malaysian brocade that is intricately handwoven with silver or gold threads. Rich and heavily embroidered, the cloth makes superb evening gowns. Buy the material untailored and have it made to measure, or buy songket items such as handbags.

Pottery * Sarawak pottery is ochre-coloured with bold geometric designs. Sayong pottery, from Perak, has the characteristic glossy black colour. There is even pottery, from Johor, which uses batik and gold thread for a distinctive look. Handicraft centres offer the best variety.

Gold * Gold is of high quality here, often 22K. Items of traditional designs or avant garde are available. Jewellers are located at shopping complexes, hotels, duty free shops within the city centre.

Silk * Silk from Cendering, Terengganu is of international quality and makes a good buy. Best bought at a handicraft centre or a specially shop.

Brassware *  Brassware items generally come from the cottage industries in Terengganu. Items include candle stands, vases, ash trays and plaques. Best bought at handicraft centres.

Silverwork * Silverwork, especially those from Kelantan, is exquisite. Items to buy are rose bowls, napkin holders, plaques and filigree jewellery. Handicraft centres are again the best choices to buy silverwork.

Woodcarvings * Woodcarvings, again, those from Kelantan or Terengganu, are of excellent workmanship. Wood figurines of the orang asli (aborigines) also make good buys. As these are bulky items, you can make arrangement with the stores to have them sent home. Shopping complexes stock a good range of such products.

Basketry * Mengkuang leaves (screw pine) woven into table mats, hats, bags and bedroom slippers make attractive and functional items. They are also inexpensive. Mengkuang products can be found at handicraft centres.

Food Items * Check out the supermarket, grocery stores or pasar malam'ot locally-produced items such as tea, pepper, prawn crackers and instant food preparations.
 
 

Malaysian cuisine is exotic with an exciting range of flavours and culinary styles offering the uninitiated an endless gastronomic adventure. It comprises three many groups - Malay, Chinese and Indian with each having its own distinct style of cooking. There are also cuisines that have evolved from the meeting of cultures notably those of the Nyonya and Indian Muslim communities.

Western cuisine, especially Continental and Mediterranean fare, are also available in the major cities. Indeed, Malaysia as a meeting place of both eastern and western cultures, has produced a most diverse culinary melting pot.

For the visitor who is interested in dining out, Kuala Lumpur will prove to be a unique experience both in terms of the array of culinary delights as well as in the wide choice of settings. You can dine out at posh hotel restaurants, elegant chain restaurants, chic sidewalk cafes, delicatessens or eat out at the many hawker stalls till the wee hours of the morning.

Malay Cuisine

Malay cuisine is rich and spicy arising from the use of hard spices and a wet spice mixture of rempah and coconut milk. Malay cuisine varies from region. Kelantanese cuisine, akin to Thai for example, has a sweetish taste due to use of coconut milk and sugar in cooking. On the other hand, the cuisine of Kedah is spicier the influence of Indians who arrived here centuries ago during the spice trade .

For the adventurous, there is an array of popular lay dishes to tantalise their taste buds. A favourite with Malaysians is nasi lemak, rice cooked in coconut milk served with anchovies, squid, eggs, cucumber and sambal (chili paste). An East Coast favourite is nasi dagang, fragrant unpolished glutinous rice steamed with coconut milk and served with tuna fish curry. Nasi kerabu, another rice-based dish native to Kelantan, is served with local herbs and salted fish. A Malay banquet would not be complete without the ever popular satay, skewered chicken or beef marinated inspices,then grilled over charcoal fire. It is served with peanut gravy, rice cubes, cucumber and onions.

Chinese Cuisine

A wide variety of Chinese cuisine is available in Kuala Lumpur. Among the popular styles of cooking are those of the Cantonese, Hokkien, Hainanese, Hakka and Szechuan communities. Generally, Chinese cuisine is mild in flavour but local influence has given it a slightly spicier taste.In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, there are elevenses where sum (steamed snacks) is served. Apart from hotel outlets and large chain restaurants, Chinese food is also available in most coffee shops around KL.

Nyonya Cuisine

Nyonya or Peranakan cuisine evolved out of a unique blend of Malay and Chinese cooking styles. It is characterised by sweet, sour, spicy and pungent flavours. Typical dishes include otak-otak (fish meat marinated in spices, wrapped in banana leaves and grilled) and itik tim (duck with salted vegetables). The cuisine is best tried in Nyonya restaurants which have become popular in recent years.

Indian Cuisine

Contrary to- popular perception, ndian cuisine need not be soaringly hot. Various spice blends are used in Indian U sine to give a robust flavour to food but yoghurt almost always accompanies a meal at the end to cool down the tastebuds. Milder on the tastebuds are dishes such as kurma (mild meat curry) and tondoorichicken (chicken baked in clay oven).Generally, Southern Indian cuisine is hotter than its Northern Indian and Moghul counterparts and is characterized by the heavy use of cream, meat-based dishes and naan breads. lndianMuslim cuisine is another local favourite one ought to try while in KL. Popular dishes include fishhead curry, murtabok (pancake with spiced meat mixture) and mee goreng (fried noodles).

International Cuisine

Foreign visitors will be pleasantly surprised to discover the abundance of international cuisine available in KL. Restaurants serving international cuisine can usually be found in major hotels as well as in the vicinity of Jalan Sultan lsmail, Jalan Ampang and Bangsar where there is a sizeable expatriate community.