Overview
Quietly, Kuala Lumpur has quickly become one of Asia's premier shopping destinations. The government's tax free policy on purchases of computers and electronic goods together with burgeoning middle class and beautiful indigenous products have all contributed to a great selection of products from which to choose from and comfortable environments in which to shop. To get you started we have made a short list of Kuala Lumpur's major shopping neighborhoods, shopping centres and department stores. There is something for everyone and shopping is definitely enjoyable in Kuala Lumpur.

Shopping Areas

Bukit Bintang
Address: Jalan Bukit Bintang at Jalan Sultan Ismail
Description: With its great location in heart of the city surrounded by hotels and the monorail providing easy access (Raja Chulan Station) to a nice mix of retail shops and restaurants Bukit Bintang is one of the favorite shopping, dining and nightclub areas in Kuala Lumpur. Whether you want high fashion or t-shirts; haute cuisine or hawker stalls - it’s all in Bukit Bintang.

Central Market (Pasar Seni)
Address: Jalan Hang Kasturi
Description: Formerly the city's meat and vegetable market place, this Art Deco building has been preserved and renovated into a hub for shops selling ethnic handicrafts, antiques and works of local artists as well have a number of local restaurants. Be alert to cultural shows and art exhibitions that are held here from time to time.
Opening hours: daily 10.00am - 10.00pm.

Chinatown
Address: Jalan Petaling
Description: Chinatown like any other 'Chinatown' in the world possesses typical features of small shops brightly lit signs with Chinese characters, buzzing with people, activity and noise. The highlight of this place is the central section of Jalan Petaling and Jalan Bandar where the crowded night market is located (Chee Cheong Kai). Swamped with rows and rows (and rows) of stalls serving as make shift shops selling almost everything from watches, CDs, leather goods to clothing you name it. And of course food stalls are a big part of any Chinese market. The bright lights and loud music gives the place a festive carnival atmosphere. Your bargaining skills will definitely be tested here!
Opening hours: daily.

Chow Kit
Address: Jalan Sultan Ismail between Jalan Ampang and Jalan Imbi
Description: With the fragrance of burning incense, music blaring in a different beat from one shop to another, walking around the streets of Chow Kit is sensory overload. If Chinatown is where visitors come to shop and bargain, Chow Kit is where locals come to shop and bargain. Predominately Malay, this is where businesses and smart locals come to buy wholesale. And just like Chinatown there are any number of great restaurants and food stalls serving the favorite local cuisines - Nyonya, Malay and Indian.

Shopping Centres

Suria KLCC
Address: Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Description: The classiest and trendiest shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur. Located at the foot of one of the world's tallest building(s) and Kuala Lumpur's icon, the Petronas Towers, Suria KLCC is one of Kuala Lumpur's favorite shopping centres. As much a recreational facility as a shopping centre it's a great place to people watch. Access is easy using the Putra LRT (KLCC Station) and there 2 main department stores Isetan (up market) and Parkson Grand (budget) together with over 280 specialty stores, a Cineplex showing the latest movies, a food court serving an endless variety of Asian, Middle Eastern and Western fare not to mention plenty of small speciality food outlets. So put aside at least half a day to walk around and to enjoy this mall.

Mid Valley Mega Mall
Address: Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
Description: Mega Mall is apt description. Spanning 5km, with more than 430 shops and dining choices, this is definitely one of the largest shopping malls in South East Asia. This huge mall has just about everything including a large selection of local brands. As much a recreational facility as a shopping centre Mid Valley Mega Mall also houses a cineplex, bowling alley - even a gym (as if shopping were not enough exercise...) and much more.

Sungei Wang Plaza
Address: Next to Bukit Bintang Plaza
Description: This busy and crowded shopping centre in the Bukit Bintang area has seemingly hundreds of small shop spaces and is well known for selling budget electrical/electronic items and daily needs. However caveat emptor (shoppers beware), bargaining is a must here and test all items before buying.

Plaza Low Fat
Address: Next to Bukit Bintang Plaza
Description: Next to the venerable Federal Hotel, Plaza Low Fat is well known for higher end consumer electronic goods, cameras and the like. Prices are a bit higher (as is the quality of the merchandise) but still very competitive. There are also photo shops here that can write your digital camera memory card to CD Rom quickly and cheaply.

Lot 10
Address: Jalan Bukit Bintang
Description: You will have no problem finding this conveniently located mid range mall with its prominent green and blue striped façade and large script sign. Lot 10 used to be 'The Mall' to go to until KLCC came along, however it still a comfortable (maybe more so now that the crowd has thinned out a bit) with unique boutiques and branded designer shops.

Sogo
Address: Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman
Description: Sogo, one of Japan's leading retail giants is the anchor tenant in this modern, good quality shopping mall. For those staying in the PWTC area this mall offers a wide variety of fashion boutiques, house-hold furnishing, shoes stores, travel agencies, gift shops, cosmetic counters, jewelers and restaurants nearby.