Mall Street

Bangkok has Ratchaprosong, Singapore has Orchard, Hong Kong has Nathan Street. Well, KL has Jalan Bukit Bintang, and at its epicenter is Bintang Walk,home to KL’s top shopping centers and department stores.

The Pavilion Kuala Lumpur (168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 603-2118-8833, www.pavilion-kl.com) is a giant eight-story development that encompasses a shopping center, department store, serviced apartments, movie theatres, bars, restaurants and a fitness center. Most brands will be familiar to you but there are a few you won’t find in Bangkok. Visit Tangs (2-3/F), a Singaporean multi-brand store, for cool fashion items, while the Malaysian-born Padini Concept Store (4/F) offers locals the latest looks for men and women. Young fashionistas may also want to drop by Threepointsix (5/F) for the newest sneakers and sportswear as well as Philosophy (4/F) for chic men’s fashion. Don’t forget to register your passport at the information desk to receive a Pavilion Tourist Reward and discounts on your purchases.

Bintang Neighborhood

Low Yat Plaza (7 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 603-2148-3651, www.plazalowyat.com) is similar to Pantip Plaza, with loads of IT options from digital cameras to the newest laptops. A lot of new releases hit shelves here before Pantip, and are often cheaper, though warantees often won’t work back home.

Just a short walk south of Low Yat gets you to the 10-story Berjaya Times Square (1 Jalan Imbi, 603-2117-3111, www.timessquarek.com), which houses 700 retail shops ranging from kids’ apparel to IMAX Cinema. As you wait for Krispy Kreme (G/F) to open back at Paragon (or Chidlom), get your fix here on the mall’s ground floor.

City Center

The Petronas Twin Towers are not only KL’s number one landmark, but their first six floors are yet another shopping mall you can’t really miss. So after you visit the skywalk, head down to Suria KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 603-2382-8448, www.suriaklcc.com.my), which is like CentralWorld-meets-Siam Paragon, thanks to the mix of high-end brands and high street chains. What you won’t find in Siam is Brit favorite Harrods (1/F), and with the ongoing sales, prices are as cheap as in the UK. Those looking for a luxe souvenir might also want to drop by the fine pewter purveyors at the 125-year-old Royal Selangor (1/F, www.royalselongor.com).

Bangsar

Not widely known as a shopping destination, Bangsar has become popular for youngsters and savvy first jobbers. Though the central focus is Bangsar Village I & II (2 Jalan Telawi Satu, 603-2288-1200, www.bangarvillage.com), two connecting shopping malls that house hundreds of food and fashion tenants, the real highlights are rows of Siam Square-style shophouses where hipsters browse fashion boutiques before dropping by a host of cool bars and restaurants.

Market Mania

A trip to KL wouldn’t be complete without a few market visits, from Central Market, Chinatown to Indian Street. If you only have time for one then go for the Central Market (www.centralmarket.com.my). Originally founded in 1888 this former grimy wet market got a revamp in the late 70s and is now a clean, air-conditioned bazaar where you can browse Malay textiles, cultural products, souvenirs and local food without breaking a sweat. Take a look at Ferrelle (G73, Central market, 603-2272-3660, ferrelle.blogspot.com) for handmade bags and shoes made from Malaysian batik textiles.

Out of Town

While we wait for IKEA to open its largest Asian outlet (40,000 sq meters) in Bang Na, KL’s 25,100 sq meter version will just have to do. IKEA Malaysia (2 Jalan PJU 7/2, Mutiara Damansara, 603-7726-7777. Open Mon-Thu 9:30am-10pm, Fri-Sun & holiday 9:30am-11pm. www.ikea.com.my) is part of the larger Mutiara Damasara development project comprised of residential and business properties, the Ikano Power Center (IKEA) and The Curve shopping mall. Its remote location makes it tricky to get to for tourists but you can get the free shuttle service to and from Kelana Jaya LRT Station (10 times a day, from 9am till 9:30pm) if you really must get hold of some Swedish home décor.

Where To Stay

Big-budget shoppers should enjoy the Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur (603-2117-4888, www.millenniumhotels.com) at the center of Bintang Walking Street, a few steps from Pavilion, Starhill Gallery and Lot 10. Rates are from USD$114. A cheaper alternative is Bintang Fairlane Residences (www.fairlane.com.my) where you can check-in to a service apartment-like room with rates starting from USD$88 (through www.agoda.co.th).