Shopping in Malaysia

The shopping paradise is Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia: the most current brands, fashion trends, glamour are everywhere in this city so distinctly oriented towards shopping, so much so that it has been elected as a city hobby, a pastime much loved by locals and tourists on holiday in Malaysia.
If the shopping experience in the boutiques of Kuala Lumpur has not tired out the most seasoned shopaholics, there is always the possibility of getting lost among the stalls of the local markets: local handicrafts offer magnificent original products such as batik, simple fabrics or printed clothes made of cotton, silk, satin, or rayon, decorated and colorful; sarongs, a type of pareo to wear around the waist. They can be found everywhere, but especially on the east coast they are very common. More refined and expensive is the songket, the traditional Malaysian brocade, woven with gold or silver threads and sold in cuts for making ceremonial clothes. For those who have no space problems in the suitcase, they can succumb to the temptation of the magnificent kites found in the Kota Bharu region. The Malaysian kris, a kind of large knife with a wavy blade, is sold – new or antique – by antique dealers or shops. In the state of Perak it is possible to find many pewter objects – statuettes or vases – thanks to the presence of the most important deposits in the country. Other typical products are cotton or leather puppets from Sarawak and the carved masks from Borneo.
In Kuala Lumpur the Central Market is the ideal place to look for souvenirs, handicrafts, and antiques and to watch the crafting of handmade objects. A completely different atmosphere is felt in the large and modern shopping centers, similar to large American malls. The most recent and most luxurious is the Pavilion, inaugurated in 2007 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia’s independence. Located in the heart of the Bukit Bintang district – which also hosts trendy cafes and nightclubs – this shopping center will allow you to let yourself go to the most unrestrained shopping thanks to over 430 fashion, furniture, entertainment, and food shops. At the entrance to the shopping center is the very famous Pavilion Crystal Fountain, now a national icon, which with its 3.6 meters makes it the tallest Liuli Crystal Fountain in the country. Three times a year in Malaysia you can experience the frenzy of shopping thanks to the Great Sales Carnival in Malaysia held in March (Malaysia GP Sale), between July and August (Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival), and in December (Malaysia Year-end Sale Carnival). During this period of frenzied sales, a great variety of items are offered throughout the country and it is possible to make excellent deals. Duty-free destinations such as airports, Langkawi, and Labuan then offer excellent products at good prices all year round.