Window shopper? Power shopper? Luxe shopper? Bargain shopper? That’s just the thing about Kuala Lumpur (KL) – it doesn’t matter what kind of shopper you are; it’s all accessible with just a quick hop on a train, bus, or cab, and there is something for everyone.
And when it comes to Downtown KL, the best place to start is by hopping onto the Rapid KL train line, stopping at the famed Central Market, and then making your way through all the hotspots from there.
Central Market
At a glance, Central Market (also known as Pasar Seni) has all the makings of a tourist trap with kitschy souvenirs the likes of Petronas Twin Tower keychains and ‘I HEART KL’ mugs. But if you look past the bulk-produced tourist items, you’ll find Central Market is home to one-of-a-kind antiques, vintage collectables, and traditional handicrafts.
The over-a-century-old historic building houses over 300 bazaar-like shops and kiosks for the ultimate Malaysian experience. Beyond shopping, there’s also much to see and do with artisans creating their crafts in real-time, scheduled performers (and the occasional busker) captivating the audience, and plenty of Insta-worthy corners.
You can also expect exhibitions, performances, and ongoing promotions that also happen monthly, so be sure to keep up through their website or social media channels.
Kasturi Walk
An open-air flea street market less than a minute’s walk from Central Market, Kasturi Walk has well-marked shops and a covered pedestrian walkway to offer a comfortable shopping experience. Started in 2011, Kasturi Walk has been less populated than the often bustling Petaling Street and Central Market but offers great deals nonetheless.
The food stalls here also sell local snacks to refresh you as you shop and keep an eye out for buskers and performances as the market aims to enthral shoppers with local culture while shopping in KL.
Petaling Street
The hustle and bustle of KL’s own little Chinatown is a mainstay of the city. To get to Petaling Street, all you need to do is walk straight on from Central Market. It’s a barely 10-minute walk away and houses a different character entirely.
An authentic blue-collar, working-class type of Chinatown, the main street is pedestrian-only, complete with a roof to protect it from the sun and thunderous monsoon rain, but little else.
It’s far from glamorous nor classy, but with a healthy amount of reproduction (see: fake designer) items on display, a combination of stalls and shop-lots with the unexpected gem of cafes and street food side-by-side, it sits atop the must-experience list for locals and tourists alike. Colourful, vibrant, noisy, and exotic simultaneously, expect a mish-mash of an outing made for the budget traveller.
RexKL
While you’re wandering along Petaling Street, take a quick turn off down Jalan Sultan and you might just see a building that is not particularly tall or imposing but oozing cool factor. That would probably be RexKL. A community and cultural hub that occupies the historic site of the old Rex Cinema, this 60,000 sq ft building was repurposed in 2019 and rejuvenated with new businesses and a host of cultural and creative programmes.
Featuring the city’s emerging craftsmen, restaurateurs, and retailers, you can stop by for a cup of coffee at Stellar, grab a bite at Lauk Pauk, browse the shelves at BookXcess, and more. A lively, thriving community that features the original brick and exposed structure, RexKL is a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike.
Jalan Masjid India
Once you tire of the Petaling Street and Central Market strip, head back to the train station and take a ride to Masjid Jamek LRT to explore Jalan Masjid India. A rather busy neighbourhood, thanks to its wholesale offerings, you might find it wise to take a breather on the white stone benches now and then.
And while you’re at it, you might even want to take a snap or two of the flower-inspired awning that has been erected just in front of the mosque. The stretch of road is named after the local mosque, and the area is marked with a distinct Indian Muslim accent and a colourful combination of people and products.
From traditional costumes in vibrant hues, Indian delicacies, beautifully crafted ornaments, and accessories, the pre-war shophouses host all the Indian imports that your heart desires.
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman
Sometimes referred to as Jalan TAR, it is the ‘grande dame’ of KL shopping in its heyday. Before modern shopping complexes took over the KL metropolitan city, the row of shops here is where it’s at. As a matter of fact, it still houses a handful of little boutiques, textile stores, and jewellers for your shopping pleasure.
If the heat is getting to you, there are old-school coffee shops along the road to quench your thirst. During the month of Ramadan, the street also comes alive with a bazaar featuring stalls upon stalls of food and drink.
And while you’re at it, you might even want to catch an afternoon showing over at The Coliseum Theatre, one of the oldest cinemas in the country. Built in 1920, the century-old gal is still operational with daily showings of Bollywood films.
Sogo
Looking for a one-stop done-and-dusted kind of shopping experience instead? Head further downtown to Sogo mall. Strategically located at a landmark site on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Sogo has an approximate retail space of 60,000 square metres!
That’s hundreds of stores housing value-for-money offerings ranging from beauty, fashion, and accessories to homeware and more. And if you’re shopping for something specific, you can call or text them via Sogo Personal Shopper to snatch up precisely what you need.
Oh, and did we mention Harisons is just across the street? Specialising in fabrics, Harisons Kuala Lumpur provides a range of quality textiles from made-to-measure and ready-to-wear traditional Malay garb to curtains and upholstery.
Jalan Raja Bot Flea Market
With the view of the Twin Towers in the backdrop and easy public transport access via the KL monorail, the street connected to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Chow Kit transforms into a flea market district when the sun goes down.
A maze of crisscrossing alleys and bursting stalls, Jalan Raja Bot is the go-to vintage market for all you bundle shoppers. Besides a diverse range of clothing stalls selling pre-loved fashion, there are also countless stalls housing cooking ingredients and fresh food, bags, books, shoes, and other essential goods.
Partly in the main building and the rest on street level, the Pasar Jalan Raja Bot is vast, bursting with surprises and one not to be missed for the bargain hunter.
Jakel Mall
The refurbished 20-year-old four-storey shopping centre saw the addition of two 10-storey blocks at both its north and south ends, but where you want to be is at the south tower as it houses KL’s largest textile mall.
The sixth floor and up is a corporate space with offices, but five whole floors for textiles is more than plenty, even for the most ardent seamstress. Offering fabrics ranging from bridal wear, baju Melayu, kurta, baju kurung, curtain, and home furnishing, you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice at Jakel Mall.
Safety tips: Downtown KL has its challenges for women travellers. Snatch thieves and pickpockets have enough of a presence that you must keep an eye on your handbag at all times.
Foreigners are often targeted, so make sure you keep spare copies of your passport and other important documents in your lodgings.
While trains and buses are the most convenient form of transportation in the city, try and schedule your travelling out of the regular peak hours of 7am to 9am and 5pm to 7pm to avoid the commuter rush.
Do also read this guide to exploring the Downtown KL area safely.
