Must see shopping in George Town

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    Top Choice
    Unique Penang

    Be charmed by the colourful artworks, prints and postcards of friendly young owners Clovis and Joey, as well as the many images created by the art…

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    Top Choice
    Bon Ton

    Head here for fabrics – both new and antique – as well as boxes, stationery, coffee-table books, art pieces, bags and other classy Asian bric-a-brac.

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    Top Choice
    Batek-Lah

    Malaysian-produced batik printed cloth is made into a variety of men's and women's fashions and gift items here. Some of the more expensive designs are…

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    Gurney Plaza

    In addition to more than 300 shops, including the department store Parkson, Penang’s most glamorous mall serves up a whole floor of food and beverage…

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    Gerak Budaya

    If you're looking for books about Malaysia, or books written by local authors, this is the place to come. This branch covers fiction and poetry; another…

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    Gerak Budaya

    The nonfiction branch of this excellent bookshop, specialising in books about Malaysia or by Malaysian writers.

  • Chowrasta Bazaar

    Come here for the sensory-assaulting wet market, food stalls selling Penang's famous pickles and vendors selling headscarves, batik shirts, fabrics and…

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    Moon Shop

    Tan Wei Min creates lush and beautiful terrariums in everything from small glass jars to giant globes. Buying one is like taking home a piece of the…

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    Shop Howard

    Pick up one of Howard Tan's distinctive photographic prints at this compact gift boutique that also sells unique postcards, art, handicrafts and books on…

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    Mano Plus

    The subtle, minimalist, design-focused homewares here, some of which are made locally, include earthy ceramics, handsome stationery, wooden toys and fancy…

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    Barbara Moore Gallery

    Canadian colour-pencil artist Barbara Moore has a small gallery in her home on one of the heritage zone's more charming residential streets – worth…

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    Chop Kongsi

    The charming artist Fu Mei Lin will likely list plenty of things in her cosy shop that she doesn't want to sell. Nevertheless stick with it and you're…

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    Rozanas Batik

    This shophouse workshop features the owner’s beautiful handmade batik items. If you want to learn more about this craft, take a walk-in class (from noon…

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    Sixth Sense

    Earthy, simple, linen-heavy clothing for both men and women is the emphasis at this local-label store. Supplementing this is a selection of handsome,…

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    Monica Quen

    Very pretty, classic Chinese-influenced clothing with a contemporary edge is sold in this boutique stocking the designs of the KL-based designer.

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    Prangin Mall

    A big, modern mall near KOMTAR that has taken over as the hub for shopping downtown.

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    Straits Quay

    As well as shops, this swanky seaside mall built on reclaimed land is home to the Performing Arts Centre of Penang and a couple of decent restaurants and…

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    Royal Selangor

    Royal Selangor is the top name in Malaysian pewter; this outlet stocks its current range and holds pewter-making workshops (RM63.60), starting at 11am, 2…

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    Fuan Wong

    This gallery showcases the exquisite fused-glass creations of Penang artist Wong Keng Fuan. Colourful bowls and quirky sculptures are for sale.

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    Tan Kok Oo

    One of central George Town's many disappearing trades is that of beaded shoe-making, but you can still find Tan Kok Oo practising the craft at the rear of…