Joanna James
If you're enthused by artistic enclaves, heritage streets, eclectic cuisine, and exotic mementos, Penang will thrill you to your toes! Here are some unmissable hotspots for the best retail therapy of your life.
From the dashingly eccentric and exquisitely artistic local brands to top-gear international stores featuring their latest releases, Penang's cool, spacious, and sophisticated malls are mini-towns full of dazzling novelty, known to stimulate more than a few impulse purchases! If you're dipping into the bougie and indulgent shopaholic spectrum, waste no time in heading to Gurney Plaza, a retro-chic waterfront nine-storey monolith hosting over 380 designer brands, from Versace and Calvin Klein to Fossil and Dorothy Perkins. If you're enamoured by ritzy old-world glamour and futuristic intrigue, stop by the Gurney Paragon for seriously Instagrammable shopping time, from high fashion boutiques that steal your breath away to al fresco sea views and the epically expansive BooksXcess store made for custom-made ardent literary lovers.
Whether it's quirky heritage trails and flavourful hawker stands selling everything from oriental spices and chai tea to pungent tropical fruit and kaleidoscopic souvenirs, Jungle-clad theme parks with record-breaking rides, slides, and mazes, or tranquil rainforest hideaways and secret sugar-spun beaches, Penang is a treasure trove of exhilarating gems. If you're looking for more accessible price points to better split your budget between the equally irresistible shopping and sightseeing adventures in Penang, you can still enjoy a fulfilling shopping expedition without spending exorbitant amounts. Prangin Mall is set well within reach of Penang's tourist-savvy urban allurements and features an eclectic smorgasbord of fashion, electronics, food, and family-friendly entertainment.
For a deliciously artsy one-stop shopping destination full of quaint creativity and contemporary convenience, the Queensbay Mall is located a stone's throw away from Penang Bridge and is geared towards your most fanciful shopaholic yearnings. From five storeys highlighting an outstanding assortment of stores like Bath & Body Works, Daiso, Timberland, and Uniqlo, to plentiful recreational and dining options, such as Laser Battle, Mission-Q, Pho Vietz, and Sushi King, this vast complex is the ideal escape for every brand of thrill-seeker.
Dubbing George Town, with its traditional grandeur in the shape of 19h-Century Chinese villas like the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, vintage squares showcasing unusual galleries and museums, and colonial hill stations featuring panoramic old-world tram rides, as the heart of Penang is an understatement. This classic heritage district is full of therapeutic retail quarters, whether it's stocking up on white coffee infused with condensed milk, stunningly detailed Penang Batik garments, artisan durian chocolate, or traditionally crafted souvenirs, there's no better stop than this old-world hangout. For a rush of urbane exhilaration in George Town, scale its iconic Komtar tower, which hosts a staggering potpourri of retail outlets, decadent eateries, and edutainment complexes for all levels of adventure-loving nerds!
If you fancy visiting the oldest shopping mall the island has to offer, full of rustic stores, each with a charming story behind it, Penang Plaza is ideal for a nostalgic ramble and some surprisingly unique value-added purchases. From delicious bookstores with great bargains to a giant supermarket and various sundry stores of jewellery, home décor, and gifts, its simpler layout makes it all the more endearing.
For some trendy tropical vibes, a plush fashion-forward assortment of local and international boutiques, and holistic lifestyle amenities, Island Plaza is a chilled-out place to sip some coffee and relax with your favourite people. If you're on the lookout for sophisticated Bukit Mertajam apartments proffering prime access to the diverse shopping opportunities all across Penang Island, venture no further than Sky Residence Prai.
A luxe 2-storey complex nearly tumbling into the picturesque harbour in suburban George Town, Straits Quay Marina mall is the place to find hip bespoke local brands for some authentic vogue additions to your collection of must-haves. Exuding subtle elegance and glossy finesse, its postcard-worthy setting is worth the visit even if you're not planning on splurging.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
