Shopping for handicrafts in Penang Malaysia
You can take most things home as souvenirs
There is ample opportunity for picking up some lovely hand-crafted souvenirs in Penang which won’t break the bank yet will delight family and friends back home. Penang is famous for the diverse mix of cultures that occupies its territory and there is a great choice of Chinese icons and Indian statues as well as Malay handicrafts such as traditional batik textiles.
Some of the best place to head for souvenirs in Penang are the markets. For those staying around the beach resorts, the night market in Batu Ferringhi is a easy stroll down the beach after dinner and features lots of high quality arts and crafts. Everything is very tourist orientated but that can work in shoppers’ favour, with lots of competition for your custom. For more on Batu Ferringhi.
Historic Georgetown, of course, has a wealth of fantastic markets where it is possible to grab all manner of curios and hand-made objects for a pittance.Lorong Kulit Flea Market and Pasar Malam are brilliant and authentic places to look for souvenirs, while Little Penang Market on the last Sunday of the month is a collectors dream with all retailers guaranteed to offer quality merchandise. For more on Penang markets.
Shoppers looking for antiques are should head to Light Street in Georgetown for a great selection. Elaborately carved wooden ornaments share shelf space with extremely old tiles and metalwork. Many of the shopkeepers will try and up their prices when dealing with Westerners so trust your instincts and refuse to budge if you think someone is asking over the odds. There are many different establishments to wander around so don’t feel pressured into paying too much.
Popular haunts for Asian handicrafts can be found in alleyways near Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam. Remember your bargains skills here, however, as vendors are used to dealing with tourists. For pewter, pottery and antiques, the best place to head is Light Street and the heart of Georgetown. For more on shopping for antiques in Penang.
Visitors wanting to kit themselves out in the latest fashions should head over to some of the shops in Little India where tailors are ready and waiting to stitch together all kinds of Punjabi suits or sarees. You can choose your material from countless rolls (great fun for girls!) and then ask the tailor to copy the latest styles from top European fashion houses. It’s a fun way to spend an afternoon, and can save you money compared to buying a similar garment back home.
Penang is loaded with markets
There are a many shopping malls in Penang such as Gurney Plaza and the towering KOMTAR building which are furnished with every possible brand, international chain and fashion house. Shopping centres in Penang are great places to head in the heat of the day to escape the sun and chill out with a iced cappuccino while picking up souvenirs. Clothes and electronics can be found at very reasonable prices and if you arrange to pick up goods at the airport when flying out of Malaysia you can even avoid paying tax.
Occasionally you may happen upon some truly wonderful artists plying their trade at special exhibitions in Penang shopping malls. Dying arts such as sculpting miniature dough figurines and oriental candy blowing are shared with new generations and visitors from abroad. Plus shopping centres in Penang boast a huge range of local and international restaurant options plus cinemas, ice rinks and even water parks for entertaining the kids. For more on Penang shopping malls.
Certain thoroughfares in Penang are well known to locals as being great places for street shopping and picking up gifts. An interesting mix of shops offering leather goods, household items, cosmetics, clothes, cameras and liquor can be found in the city centre. Chulia Street, Campbell Street and Penang Road are great areas to walk around to sample the sights and smells of central Penang and browse a vast variety of colourful shops and stores.
Malaysian Batik is rightly considered the best in the world, with dazzling colours and bold geometric designs. This highly versatile fabric can be sourced as cloth for manufacture into limitless possibilities, or ready-cut into tablecloths, clothing, furnishings and napkins. There are many impressive batik factories in Teluk Bahang and some of these have outlets by the beach of Batu Ferringhi. Galleries along Lebuh Leith and Penang Road have an enormous selection of batiks paintings. For more on buying batik in Penang.
Jewellery stores are found in abundance along Kapitan Keling and Campbell Street with many uniquely Malaysian handicrafts on offer. This range from chic pottery, hand-woven mengkuang fans, shadow puppets, tribal carrier bags and brilliantly-shined pewter. Pearls can are also good value in Penang and glorious necklaces can be bought for a faction of the cost in the West.
But one tip for finding items such as postcards, bookmarks and keyrings on the cheap is to avoid the touristy stalls and head to MPH bookstore. Things here are priced at their true value and you don’t have to waste your time haggling.
