Georgetown Shopping

George Town provides an array of shopping opportunities, from mainstream offerings to unique bargains. Sprawling shopping malls interweave with roadside stalls and independent shops, creating an interesting and eclectic contrast that gives you plenty of choices and good value for money. Jalan Penang, leading up all the way to KOMTAR, is the best place to go for shopping with many specialty shops and bazaars lined along it.

Little Penang Street Market

Taking place every last Sunday of the month, the Little Penang Street Market is a unique and exciting arts and crafts bazaar. Showcasing the best of Penang’s culture and crafts, each vendor is carefully screened and products have to meet a set of criteria before trading takes place. Conceptualised since June 2006, the bazaar features more than 70 stalls selling all sorts of items such as jewellery, curios, spices, wood carvings and hand-embroidered kebaya.

The bazaar also features an art gallery, live performances, entertainment, children’s activities, hands-on demonstrations, book readings and exhibitions. It’s quite a treat just browsing the stalls and taking in the bazaar’s carnival-like atmosphere.

Location: Upper Penang Road, George Town.
Tel: (604) 016-488 3632
Opening Hours: Every last Sunday of the month, 10:00 – 17:00
Website: www.littlepenang.com.my

Little India

Centred around Lebuh Pasar, Little India is a colourful district filled with rows of shops selling Indian delicacies, spices, saree, gold jewellery, prayer items and Indian entertainment. As you walk along its streets, Indian songs can be heard blasting through the speakers from the shops, contributing to the district’s din and lively atmosphere.

Home to many traditional Indian traders back in the 18th century when Penang was declared as a trading post, Little India is the centre of George Town’s Indian culture and legacy, perfect for those seeking a different kind of shopping experience.

Location: Along Lebuh Queen, Lebuh King, Lebuh Penang, Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Pasar and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.
Tel: (604) 262 0202
Opening Hours: Restaurants are often open earlier in the morning ‘til late, while shops generally open around 10:00 – 11:00.

Chinatown

Centred around Lebuh Campbell and Lebuh Chulia, George Town’s Chinatown offers a glimpse into the history of the original Chinese settlers, with its well-preserved clan houses and pre-war shophouses which have been around for more than a century. Filled with Chinese coffee shops called ‘kopitiam’, early-morning markets, stalls selling all kinds of culinary delights, traditional temples and antique shops, it is a delight to just wander around Chinatown soaking up the atmosphere.

Chinatown is also a unique shopping zone, with goods such as jade, traditional costumes, crystals, herbs, traditional Chinese medicines and antiques can be found in abundance here. You can also find a few surviving ancient trades that have stood the test of time here such as traditional lantern makers, shoemakers, joss-stick makers and signage engravers, employing skills that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Location: Along Lebuh Campbell, Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh King, Lebuh Stewart and Lebuh Muntri.
Tel: (604) 262 0202/ 261 6663
Opening Hours: Kopitiams (Chinese coffee shops) are often open earlier in the morning ‘til late, while shops generally open around 09:00 – 10:00.

Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (KOMTAR)

A renowned landmark of Penang, KOMTAR dominates the city’s skyline as the tallest building in George Town. Standing at 232m tall, Penang’s first-ever shopping mall features 65 storeys of office, retail and recreational spaces.  A skybridge connects KOMTAR with Prangin Mall next door.

Note: The KOMTAR building is currently undergoing renovations, making floors 57 and 58 inaccessible until further notice.
Highlights: Viewing Gallery on the 58th floor, Tower Palace Restaurant.
Address: 1 Jalan Penang, George Town
Tel: (604) 263 7570
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 – 22:00

Prangin Mall

The largest shopping mall in George Town, Prangin Mall is considered a bargain-hunter’s paradise despite its mainstream appeal. Featuring five floors of retail, dining and entertainment outlets, the mall also has a cinema as well as a games arcade on the top floor. This mall is a popular haunt of Penang’s youngsters.  

Highlights: Parkson Grand, Cathay Cineplex, Body Glove, Baleno, Takashima, Popular Bookstore.
Address: Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong (Prangin Road), George Town (right next to KOMTAR).
Tel: (604) 262 2233
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 – 22:00

Penang Plaza

A quiet shopping mall right next to New World Plaza, Penang Plaza features two floors of retail space with a huge Giant Supermarket as its anchor tenant. Located upstairs is a bargain bookstore and a furniture showroom. Good for getting a few essentials.
Highlights: Giant, Guardian Pharmacy.

Address: Jalan Burmah, George Town (next to New World Plaza).
Tel: (604) 226 8080
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 – 22:00

One-Stop Midlands Park Centre

Consisting of 200 retail outlets, One-Stop Midlands Park Centre is considered a bargains galore amongst some. Aside from the mainstream brands, its two concourse floors are occupied with traders selling arts and crafts items as well as religious paraphernalia such as ceramics, paintings, pottery and feng shui charms. The mall’s sixth floor is dedicated to computers and IT-related products. A bowling alley and a rooftop water theme park add to the excitement, while Funzone and Great World Park on the seventh floor offer simulated fun.

Highlights: Reject Shop, Dave’s Deli, Lea Fashion, and MOG Address: Jalan Burmah, George Town
Tel: (604) 226 3768
Opening Hours: Daily

Penang Bazaar

Located just opposite Mydin Emporium on Penang Road, Penang Bazaar is where one would go to for a good range of quality fabrics and clothes at affordable prices. Housing a number of smaller stalls operated by independent traders, the offerings differ from one stall to another, and prices can be brought down lower still by bargaining. An upmarket shopping place during its heydays, Penang Bazaar celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2006.

Address: Jalan Penang, George Town (between Lebuh Campbell & Jalan Chowrasta, opposite Mydin Emporium).
Tel: (604) 262 0202
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00 – 18:00

Chowrasta Market

Chowrasta Market is perhaps Penang’s most well-known market. More than a century old, the dry market area downstairs (there’s also a wet market at the back selling fresh seafood) sells all sorts of popular local delicacies such as fresh nutmegs, preserved fruits and the classic Ghee Hiang biscuits. The foodstuff sold here are said to be cheaper than anywhere else in Penang. Located one level up on the first floor is a much-loved second-hand bookseller where you can purchase used copies of favourite reads at a fraction of the original price.

Address: Jalan Penang, George Town (next to Penang Bazaar, just opposite George Town Police Headquarters).
Tel: (604) 262 0202
Opening Hours: Daily, 08:30 – 20:00

The Chocolate Boutique

If you’re a chocolate lover, you’re bound to find something that strikes your fancy at The Chocolate Boutique. Selling premium Malaysian-made chocolates from the local chocolatier, Beryl’s, you can find more than 60 types of chocolates here, from tiramisu chocolates to chilli chocolates. You can sample them first before deciding which ones to buy.

Address: 22 Leith Street (next to Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion)
Tel: (604) 250 2488
Opening Hours: Daily, 09:00 – 18:00

New World Park

What was once an amusement park has been converted into a one-stop destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. Introducing an al fresco mall concept where stalls and shops are clustered around an open area, it also includes a centre performing stage where live performances, various activities and other exciting events are being held.

Highlights: Starbucks Coffee, Guardian, Starview Restaurant, Happy Feet Fish Spa, Passions of Kerala.
Address: 102 Jalan Burma, George Town.
Tel: (604) 226 1199/228 8877
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00 – 23:00

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