SHOPPING PARADISO: HAS IT ALL!

When it comes to Penang, nothing beats its tasty street food, rich heritage attractions, pristine nature and great shopping escapades.

Located on the northwest coast of Peninsular , the state, which is also known as the Pearl of the Orient, is a famous destination among tourists and intrepid explorers as it has plenty to offer ranging from a bustling fusion of traditional and modern city life and atmosphere to beautiful beaches, mangroves and forests.

Penang’s retail and shopping landscape is full of excitement and as all-round as . Its capital city, George Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts more than two centuries of unique history and heritage.

George Town is the main shopping paradise in the northern part of Malaysia. In recent years George Town has witnessed rapid development in the retail sector with many new malls and retail landmarks dominating the lively and vibrant city alongside centuries-old shoplots and street markets.

The shopping malls in the heart of the city are mainly located next to each other, while the rest are seafront retail centres occupying the popular tourist stretch of Gurney Drive. There are also malls around where the Penang International Airport is situated.

Apart from getting the best deals particularly during festivities or nationwide sales such 1Malaysia Super Sale, 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival or 1Malaysia Year-End Sale, shopping in Penang is also a wholesome experience for those wanting to enjoy the taste of Malaysia with loads of gastronomic adventures as well as entertainment, art and cultural appreciation activities happening in the state throughout the year.

Let the shopping begin!

Here are some of Penang’s best shopping malls worth checking out for that special retail therapy.

1.

Located in Gurney Drive with a panoramic view of the sea, Gurney Plaza is a premier lifestyle as well as a one-stop shopping, dining and entertainment destination ideal for family outings and tourists. Anchored by , the mall houses more than 300 stores and carries renowned international brands.

2.

Gurney Paragon is a mixed development comprising a shopping mall, an office tower and luxury residential buildings situated on the beachfront esplanade of Gurney Drive. The premises is unique as it is built around a 91-

1 year-old chapel, St. Joseph’s Novitiate, which was restored and incorporated into the mall’s design. It features more than 40 boutiques and is known for its trendy fashion mix of both designer labels and local specialty brands catering to Penang’s new generation. The venue is also a favourite hangout spot due to the range of dining options, wellness retreats and entertainment spots like IMAX theatre, live bands and live sports telecast on giant projector screens.

3. Retail Marina

Fun, food and festivity by the sea are the unique attractions of Straits Quay Retail Marina. Straits Quay is a lifestyle mall fronting a picturesque view of the marina in . The mall is a good place to shop for local fashion brands and has a myriad selection of top notch Western and Asian restaurants, cafes and bars. It also houses the Penang Performing Arts Centre, a trampoline park as well as several wellness and fitness centres.

4. 1st Avenue Shopping Mall

1st Avenue is strategically situated in the centre of George Town and is easily accessible from all parts of the city. The mall is perfect for the chic and trendy urbanite looking for a wide selection of well-known brands at its seven-storey premises. Various dining choices abound and onsite entertainment includes an interactive adventure puzzle game room, an eight-screen movie theatre, a bowling alley, a karaoke centre and a snooker bar, making it a convenient spot for travellers staying at the hotels within the vicinity.

Other top shopping malls situated near 1st Avenue are , and ICT@Komtar. Penang Times Square boasts several concept stores of local fashion brands like Asadi and is best known for its basement nightclubs. On the other hand, Prangin Mall and ICT@Komtar caters for the tech-savvy consumers and bargain hunters of electronic goods.

5.

Queensbay Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in . It is located in Bayan Lepas and in close proximity to the first and second Penang Bridge and Penang International Airport. Anchored by AEON, the lifestyle mall is suitable for families as it provides a conducive environment and various activities for one to shop, play, eat and be entertained with the whole family. Shoppers will be spoilt for choice as there are more than 400 retail merchants at the mall.

1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival

Plenty of fantastic bargains await shoppers during the 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival which is taking place from 15 June to August 31. The event is part of the country’s thrice yearly nationwide sales campaigns to promote Malaysia as a world-class shopping destination. The other two campaigns are 1Malaysia Super Sale (1-31 March) and 1Malaysia Year-End Sale (1 November-31 December).

2 From bumper deals and great discounts, there is definitely something for everyone to spend on. Tourists can get the best out of shopping in Malaysia during the event as there are special tourists’ privileges like duty-free items and gift redemptions offered by participating malls.

FAST FACTS

 Penang was listed in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2016. George Town was listed among The 10 Best Budget Travel Destinations 2016 by Forbes and among The 16 Must-See Destinations 2016 by Los Angeles Times.

 Malaysia is Asia’s latest hot shopping destination with more than 500 shopping malls. Three of the Top 10 largest malls in the world are in Malaysia. They are Shopping Centre (5 million sq ft), Mid Valley Mega Mall (4.5 million sq ft) and (4.2 million sq ft).

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