Shopping in Kuching

It is not without reason that Malaysia is known as a shoppers paradise. Located at the crossroads of Asia, Malaysia presents tourists with the best the region has to offer. It has everything from designer goods to unique treasures of the Orient and local handicrafts. Tourists with dollars will find shopping in Kuching reasonable. What's more, the exemption of duty on certain goods has resulted in competitive pricing, which has made shopping in Kuching a fun thing to do.

There are some very interesting things to buy in Kuching. For tribal handicrafts and souvenirs, tourists should head to Main Bazaar Street at the Kuching Waterfront.

Take a look at our Kuching Shopping Guide below for some great souvenir ideas to take home from your holiday in Kuching. Shopping in Kuching is fun, with a variety of shopping options available, and many of them located amongst the best restaurants in Kuching too! Check out our Malaysia Shopping Guide for some great tips for your Malaysia shopping experience.

Kuching Shopping Guide

The shops in Kuching do not always display everything they have, so it would be worthwhile going inside and asking for what one wants. The authentic collections are usually hidden away in a room upstairs or behind the main shop. The Main Bazaar in Kuching has a shop that dates back to 1864, so this is where tourists should come if they are looking for curios, handicrafts and antiques.

Kuching is also a good place for tourists to test their bargaining skills. There are antiques, curios, Iban and Bidayuh carvings and handicraft, masks, ethnic and antique jewellery made of copper, brass and silver and other great souvenir items.

Also available are things of everyday use, such as wooden clogs, plastic pails, iron woks, face towels, woven mats and brooms, all at non-tourist prices.

Markets in Kuching

Sunday Market (Pasar Minggu) is just off Jln. Satok between the Esso gas station and Wisma Satok. A Kuching institution of sorts, the Sunday Market commences every Saturday afternoon and winds down by noontime on Sunday. Very much a local market, where few tourists can be spotted, the emphasis here is on fresh food of every kind. Those who end up here should not miss the apam balik, which is a pancake with nuts and margarine - it's very filling and absolutely delicious. There are two other local markets that are more conveniently located and open everyday. These are at the west end of Jln. India.

Shopping Centres in Kuching

The Spring

The Spring is Kuching's largest and first real lifestyle shopping mall. Shiny and new (it opened in January 2008) it sells international brands such as Mango, Esprit, Charles & Keith, Padini, Starbucks and Collection and Quiksilver. Spread over two floors and a basement, the mall has a factory outlet store (FOS) that sells rejected yet good quality clothes. There is also a Parkson department store and supermarket and Ta Kiong, which sells imported goods. For book lovers, there's MPH, the bookstore.

Sarawak Plaza

This is one of Kuching's older malls. Lea Centre is the anchor store selling a wide variety of shoes. The mall has recently been renovated and promises a more fulfilling shopping experience for both foreigners and locals.

Wisma Saberkas

This is a round tower on the outskirts of Kuching (about 15 minutes from the waterfront). It has shops that sell a huge variety of hi-tech products for mobile phones and computers.

Crowne Plaza - Parkson Grand

This shopping centre has the Times Bookstore, jewellery stores, shoe shops and also Giant Supermarket. For food, it has outlets of KFC and SugarBun.