Shopping, Leisure & Sports ...
Shopping
Malls
Shopping in KL is an experience in every aspect from designer shopping malls to traditional “Wet Markets”. You will find an abundance of modern malls selling everything from designer wears to local products. Malls are located all over KL and there will be at least one in whichever area you decide to settle in.
Most are extremely large and modern and sell familiar brands from Europe, the UK and USA , although purchasing larger Western sizes in shoes and clothes can sometimes be a challenge. Prices of local brands are usually cheaper, whereas imported brands tend to be on a par with the country from which they originate.
Sales are held several times a year and if you miss one, hold on for a few weeks for the next one. There are many large department stores in the KL area, some familiar and others not so familiar, but all offering great value. For a full list of shopping malls, supermarkets, wet markets and night markets please refer to the Inside Guide.
Supermarkets
There are many large supermarkets and hypermarkets in KL, with the largest being Carrefour, Giant and Tesco. Supermarkets are located throughout all areas of KL, including the City Centre and most will offer a delivery service, usually dependent upon the amount of money spent.
Most carry international brands, gourmet items and non-halal foods, as well as fruits, vegetables and wines and spirits, although you may have to search two or three outlets to find certain items.
There are also several grocery stores that cater for expatriates and the number of imported goods seems to be steadily increasing. For hard to find items, it's always an idea to ask friends and neighbours.
Wet Markets
There are Wet Markets located in several areas of KL, which have a good supply of fresh produce, spices, assorted meats, poultry, fish and flowers. These are great fun to visit and the best advice is to go very early when food is at its freshest. Prices are usually negotiable, especially if you purchase a large amount from one stall. It is best to walk through first and check all the stalls before choosing one with the best produce or prices.
Pasar Malam or Night Markets
These markets are very popular with locals and expatriates and available throughout KL. They are much the same as Wet Markets, but tend to set up on temporary stalls by the roadside at night or Sunday afternoons. They sell the same produce as the Wet Markets, but also clothing, shoes, handbags, sunglasses, watches, bric-a-brac, household goods, etc.
They also usually have “hawker” stalls, so it is possible to snack while you are shopping. Night markets can be very crowded, so beware of pickpockets. Bargain before you pay and be aware that vendors tend to charge higher prices to foreigners.
Roving Vans
In addition to grocery stores, roving vans are a great alternative and costs are competitive with local supermarkets. They tend to visit once or twice a week on a regular basis. When you have settled in, ask your neighbors if one visits your area or condo.
These vans come stocked with a variety of goods: fresh, canned and frozen and most also carry liquor, beer and wine. You can request special items such as specific brands of goods or particular types of meat, vegetables or fruit. They can usually save you time and effort in locating hard-to-find items.
Leisure
Kuala Lumpur offers a huge variety of leisure opportunities for the whole family. When you first arrive there are all the major tourist attractions to explore, such as the Petronas Twin Towers , KL Tower, Merdeka Square, China Town and Little India. In addition, there are many themed attractions that are perfect for children. These include Aquaria KLCC, Petrosains, The National Planetarium and National Science Centre.
There are many theme parks and water parks around KL which will keep children amused for hours. On the cultural side, KL is home to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre and the Istana Budaya, each of which attracts world-class performers and also offers opportunities to volunteer and get involved. There are many museums and art galleries including the newly refurbished National Museum , the Museum of Asian Arts and the National Art Gallery .
Malaysia has some great movie theatres with comfortable seating and big screens. These are usually located in shopping malls where parking is relatively easy. Further afield you will find such gems as the Forestry Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) with its canopy walkway high up in the trees and the Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary near Lanchang.
Living in KL offers wonderful opportunities for travel, both within Malaysia and to neighbouring countries. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) provides a gateway to explore all that Asia has to offer. Budget airlines provide cheap travel to numerous destinations in Asia and Australia , leaving from the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) and also Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Subang Airport (SAAS).
Food in KL is very much a leisure activity and eating is a round the clock pastime. There are hundreds of restaurants in the City Centre and suburbs of every type imaginable, from local Malay, Indian and Chinese cuisines to Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, Argentinean, Japanese and Italian. Restaurants vary from 5 star establishments to street “hawker” stalls and all are worth experiencing.
There are many social clubs and organisations to join in KL, with almost every nationality represented. They offer various activities such as trips, arts and crafts, learning new languages and cooking. They are a great way to help you get out and about and make new friends. For a full list of associations please refer to the Inside Guide.
Sports
KL is a sports lovers' paradise and spectators can enjoy everything from the Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix to cycling's Le Tour de Langkawi to the KL International Marathon. You can choose from many sports including golf, tennis, soccer, rugby, football, horse riding, swimming, rock climbing, abseiling, yoga, pilates, aerobics, cycling, hashing and archery.
Golf courses are excellent and numerous, spread all over the city and surrounding areas. Night golf is an additional feature. Anyone wishing to learn to play golf will find that lessons are very cheap. Yachting is also available at the Royal Selangor Yacht Club at Port Klang, 45 minutes from central KL. In addition to a full service marina, they also offer a range of RYA accredited courses.
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