Shopping

Kuala Lumpur, the commercial hub of Malaysia, abounds with a vibrant blend of shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities for visitors. Shopping establishments display a wide range of goods rivalling that of major cities elsewhere while the local passion for food is evident in its numerous dining spots. At duck a whole spectrum of entertainment beckons fun lovers to a world of pulsating rhythms and flashing colours.

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 malls, 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, sportwear and handicrafts.

A novel experience for overseas visitors is the night markets or 'pasar malam' which begins 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 Mega Sale Shopping Carnival held three times a year in Kuala Lumpur and other major cities in Malaysia is an opportune time to pick up great bargins.

There are several principal shopping precincts in the city. There are:

• Jalan Bukit Bintang
• Jalan Raja Chulan/Jalan Conlay
• Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman
• Jalan Ampang/Jalan Tun Razak
• Jalan Sultan/Jalan Tun H.S. Lee
• Jalan Cheng Lock/Jalan Pudu
• Jalan Putra
• Bangsar - Jalan Maarof/Jalan Telawi

• On the Fringes