One’s visit in Malaysia’s capital city will not be complete without stopping at Bukit Bintang, which houses several renowned malls in Kuala Lumpur where fashion, food and entertainment thrives. Malaysia is home to over 500 shopping venues thus, the ongoing 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival, happening from June 15 to August 31, 2016 is a countrywide sale event which extends all over Malaysia.

Shopping events in Malaysia

Apart from 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival, there are two other annual shopping sales in Malaysia – 1Malaysia Super Sale and 1Malaysia Year-End Sale (1MYES).

Where to shop in Malaysia?

For high-end brands and shoppers, visit Pavilion KL, located along Bukit Bintang, one of the city’s best shopping haunts with 450 shops over 7 retail levels. Some of the international labels that you can find here are Hermès, Chopard, Coach, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, TOD’s and Montblanc. It also houses brands popular with youth such as Cotton On, Forever 21, Zara, Topshop, Topman, and Pull and Bear. Another popular mall for high-end brands is Starhill Gallery, which is situated across from Pavilion KL, adjacent to JW Marriott, this deluxe gallery features the crème de la crème of high fashion and labels. It is also the global fine watch retail center showcasing the single largest concentration of the world’s leading horology legends. Moreover, travelers may also opt for The Gardens, about 15-min drive from KL City Centre and connected to the Mid Valley Megamall, the Gardens emit a high-end whiff with its local and foreign luxury brands, as well as international department store Robinsons.

For families with kids, visit Suria KLCC. The 6-level mall is right smack in the heart of the city, under the shadows of the awe-inspiring Petronas Twin Towers. It houses the famous Kinokuniya bookstore, PETROSAINS Discovery Centre, Petronas Art Gallery, and various F&B outlets overlooking one of the most scenic parks in the city. Another shopping mall for the family to enjoy is Berjaya Times Square. This mall, located within the Bukit Bintang area, houses Berjaya Times Square Theme Park (formerly Cosmo’s World). It is the country’s largest indoor theme park, offering 14 attractive rides and other attractions. The mall also features the IMAX cinemas.

Also, Sunway Pyramid is an Egyptian styled mall with its trademark Sphinx and pyramid architecture offers a selection of mid to upper mid-range merchandise. The mall houses an ice skating rink and is located next to the exciting Sunway Lagoon Theme Park.

For the bargain hunters, visit Sungei Wang Plaza. This colorful complex is located along Bukit Bintang and features stores selling everything from clothes and accessories (including the latest Korean and Japanese fashion) to footwear and electronic items. It is adjoined by BB Plaza, another popular mall for teenage fashion outfits. BB Plaza also houses Basheer Graphic books, which features endless hardbacks on architecture and all things design-related.

For the fashion urbanity enthusiast, there is Fahrenheit 88. This mall is located along Bukit Bintang, with over 200 retail stores inspired by the fusion culture of Tokyo. It also houses UNIQLO’s first store in Malaysia. Lot 10, on the other hand caters for upmarket shoppers and is linked to Sungei Wang Plaza by a covered pedestrian bridge. It houses Isetan and various retail outlets for branded apparel, accessories, sports gear and cosmetics. The top floor of the mall is devoted to exclusive designer clothes. Mid Valley Megamall is one of the longest malls in Southeast Asia, it is about 15- minute drive from KL city centre and is well-stocked with mid to upper mid-range labels.

For IT products, Kuala Lumpur has Low Yat Plaza. The largest IT centre in the city is located along Bukit Bintang, with 4 floors of stores selling an endless range of tech merchandise.

For Malaysian handicrafts and products for pasalubong, visit Central Market which is located near KL’s Chinatown, the former wet market’s distinctive art deco building now houses more than 100 quaint shops selling the finest local arts and crafts, souvenirs, batik fabric, silk, antique, Chinese paintings, shadow puppets and ceramics. There is also the KL Craft Complex or Karyaneka which is situated along JalanConlay at the National Craft Complex. This is where you can find an extensive range of beautiful handmade textile and fabrics such as batik, traditional BajuKurung, sarongs, kaftans, and many more. One may also find Little India along JalanTunku Abdul Rahman, fabric shops abound in this area with shimmery blues and turquoises competing with brilliant yellows and fiery reds. Get yourself some glass bangles, and sample traditional Indian sweets. Other must visit places include Royal Selangor Centre for pewter ware and Beryl’s Chocolate Factory for chocolates.

Shopping outlets in Malaysia 

The recently opened Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA SEPANG (MOP) is a factory outlet shopping mall located 60km from KL and 6km from KLIA and klia2. Advocating a factory outlet concept, MOP offers a myriad of upper-middle to high-end off-season brands and products at attractive discounts, as well as Japan Avenue (a Japanese specialty store) that introduces Japanese art, culture, music and culinary delights. Catering to a diverse group of customers, MOP also offers an array of scrumptious fare ranging from local and Japanese cuisines to western delights. Another newly opened outlet shop in Malaysia is Freeport A’Famosa Outlet which opened in last November 2015 in the historical city of Melaka, this premier outlet offers over 100 retail units. Freeport is the 7th largest outlet developer in the world and Freeport A’Famosa Outlet is Freeport’s first outlet in South East Asia.

Malaysia Tourist Refund Scheme 

With a minimum spending of RM300. Get tax refund from approved refund agents in KLIA, KLIA2, Subang Airport, Penang International Airport, Kuantan Airport (Pahang), Senai International Airport (Johor), Kuching International Airport (Sarawak), Kota Kinabalu International Airport (Sabah).For more information visit www.iris-globalblue.com

Make it happen

Tourism Malaysia Manila in partnership with Malaysia Airlines and eight local travel agencies offers 4D/3N Mega Sale Shopping Package.

The shopping package aims to promote Malaysia as a shopping haven for Filipino travelers and will be available at the upcoming Travel Madness Expo (TME) 2016 at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City from 8 to 10 July.

The package is priced at USD368 All-in. Besides shopping at Sunway Pyramid, Mid Valley Megamall, and Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang, the package also covers roundtrip economy airfare on Malaysia Airlines with 30 kilos check-in baggage, 3 nights hotel accommodation in Kuala Lumpur & daily breakfast, return transfers, Philippine Travel Tax, NAIA Terminal Fee, Malaysia Airport taxes, travel insurance (up to 69 years old only), complimentary Kuala Lumpur city tour, and transfers to and from the respective malls.

Travelers who will buy the package at TME 2016 will get a discount of USD20, as well as shopping vouchers and premium gifts from Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines. Don’t forget to share your fun-filled memories of Malaysia using #MYBFFXOXO.

Participating local travel agencies are Ark Travel, Goldlink Travel, Horizon Travel & Tours, Pan Pacific Travel, Skynet Travel, Thousand Miles Travel, and Wintrex Travel.

This campaign is supported by Asian Overland Services, the sole ground handler of the consortium, and hotels in Kuala Lumpur namely; PuduSentral Hotel, Metro Hotel, Furama Hotel and Berjaya Times Square Hotel. ADVT. 

For more info, visit www.malaysia.travel or like Tara Na Sa Malaysia on Facebook.