Shopping in Peninsular Malaysia – East Coast
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Shopping Centres
Major shopping centres in central JB are Plaza Kota Raya (Jln Ungku Puan), the flashier Johor Bahru City Square (Jln Wong Ah Fook) and Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (Komtar; Jln Wong Ah Fook). Other large malls to the north of the city centre include Plaza Pelangi (Jln Tebrau), Holiday Plaza (Jln Dato Sulaiman) and Best World (Jln Tun Abdul Razak).
reviewed
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Kompleks Bebas Cukai Duty-Free Shopping Complex
Kompleks Bebas Cukai duty-free shopping complex, about 2km east of the Causeway, proudly proclaims itself one of the largest duty-free complexes in the world, with more than 160 shops. In general, you won’t get much in JB that you can’t get in Singapore, though prices tend to be lower.
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Central Market
One of the most colourful and active markets in Malaysia, the central market is at its busiest first thing in the morning, and has usually packed up by early afternoon. Downstairs is the produce section, while upstairs stalls selling spices, brassware, batik and other goods stay open longer.
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B
Central Market
For fish so fresh it’s still in its death flop, look for the boats docking at the central market. Besides indulging your piscatorial fix, there’s a good collection of batik and kain songket (cloth brocaded with gold and silver).
reviewed
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Kompleks Bebas Cukai
Designed specifically to cater to Singaporeans, the Kompleks Bebas Cukai duty-free shopping centre is about 2km east of the Causeway (locals refer to it by its English name, Free Zone Complex). The complex also incorporates a ferry terminal.
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Wanisma Craft & Trading
Closer to town, this is a batik-dyeing and brass workshop (the largest brass workshop in the country, supposedly) where you can watch the skilled craftsmen at work. The shop here sells their products.
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Noor Arfa Craft Complex
This is a handicraft centre selling a large stock of batik shirts and dresses, kain songket, basketware and glass. Printed cotton batik pieces start at RM15 for 2 sq m.
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Kraftangan Malaysia
This outlet sells high-quality kain songket costing as much as RM12,000 for 2.5 sq m. There’s also a tiny ‘Songket Heritage Exhibition’ showing varying designs.
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C
Kelantan Malay Silverware
This is the best place in town to buy handmade silver jewellery and ornaments. Customers are also invited to watch the craftsmen beavering away in the onsite workshop.
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D
Old Central Market
Kota Bharu's old central market consists of a block of food stalls on the ground floor, and a selection of batik, songket and clothing upstairs.
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Shopping Centres
Modern chain stores can be found in the huge shopping centres on the city fringes such as KB Mall (Jln Hamzah) and Kota Seri Mutiara (Jln Pasir Puteh).
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Zon
A five-level duty-free centre catering to Singaporeans. Sells booze, cigarettes, leather and more. The complex also incorporates a ferry terminal.
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Suterasemai Silk Gallery
Offers a collection of handwoven silk, with both hand-drawn and printed designs. Hand-painted silk shirts go for around RM250.
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Kota Seri Mutiara
Modern chain stores can be found on the city fringes in huge shopping centres such as Kota Seri Mutiara.
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E
Street Market
A street market selling clothes, copy watches and DVDs takes over Jln Parit Dalam in the evenings.
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KB Mall
Modern chain stores can be found on the city fringes in huge shopping centres such as KB Mall.
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F
Bazaar Buluh Kubu
Near the central market, Bazaar Buluh Kubu is a good place to buy handicrafts.
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G
Johor Bahru City Square
A flashy mall with affordable designer shops and a great food court.
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Hamid Bros Books
A licensed moneychanger; also sells some English-language books.
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Central Market
For fish so fresh it’s still in its death flop, look for the boats docking at the central market. Besides indulging your piscatorial fix, there’s a good collection of batik and kain songket (cloth brocaded with gold and silver).
reviewed
