Asia's Shopping Markets
Asia's Best Markets
by by Peter Graham
by by Peter Graham
When it comes to shopping, there's nothing as exciting as the markets of Asia. In virtually every urban centre, there will be spots set aside for these enterprising traders to set up shop. Asians love their markets and tourists have jumped on the bandwagon. This is where cash is king and where the price is whatever the customer is prepared to pay.
To outsiders the markets may look crowded, noisy and chaotic, but once you know your way around and learn the basics of bargaining, you can find some amazing goods at amazing prices. Join us as we thread our way through the famous markets in four of Asia's best shopping destinations: Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
KUALA LUMPUR
Malaysia's capital remains one of the most underrated shopping destinations in Asia. However, it has been slowly building a reputation for its glitzy shopping malls, which offer great value and attracting all the top brand names. And, as any canny traveller knows, when you are not shopping you can live it up in some excellent hotels at jaw-droppingly low rates.
Yes, you can even save as you sleep in Kuala Lumpur! You won't have any problem locating the malls, but to find something different and experience the soul of the city you need to check out the street markets. The big daddy of them all is the Petaling Street Market, the city's Chinatown. A vibrant mix of Chinese, Nepalese and Burmese traders, the colourful stalls in this partly covered street specialise in fake designer goods.
During the day, the shops in the area offer a variety of traditional Chinese products, but after 6pm the road is closed to traffic and the "night market" springs up in the street. There are no set prices here - you are expected to haggle vigorously for the goods on offer, which include jewellery, herbal medicines, dried food, designer T-shirts, handbags and wallets,
The entertaining traders speak a surprising number of languages, but it helps if you master a few local phrases like "Murah sikit?" (A little cheaper?) or "Mahal sangat! (Too expensive). If you don't see what you want on display, ask the traders as they often have additional stock (and some of the most sought-after fake goods) hidden away in nearby store-rooms.
If you are not into fake goods and prefer something more home-grown, head for the Central Market around the corner. Originally a food market, it has since it classified as a heritage site and renovated into a bright, colourful handicraft market with dozens of well-run stalls. The goods on offer reflect the ethnic make-up of Malaysia.
SINGAPORE
They say if shopping was a sport then Singapore would at least be able to count on winning one gold medal at any Olympics. Yes, Singaporeans love to shop. But so do the millions of tourists who descend on the island state each year. Everyone knows of the Orchard Road precinct, one of the most famous shopping areas in the world.
But you don't have to search far to find the traditional markets, where the clever shoppers go to find bargains. Reflecting the city's ethnic make-up, there are three market areas in the city; Chinatown, Arab Street and Little India. And you won't have any difficulty finding them - taxi drivers certainly know their way around this city.
The first is Arab Street, which offers bazaar-style shopping with great character. The home of the Muslim community, you can check out the tiny hole-in-the-wall shops and jam-packed pavement stalls for a variety of trinkets and souvenirs. Other stalls specialise in baskets, bags and other household goods.
But the main reason people come here is for the fabrics. You will find rolls of the most amazing chiffon, silk, cotton and other textiles spilling out over the pavement as people elbow their way to the best deal. You can also snap up fabulous hand-made batik cloth from Indonesia, which is sold in sarong lengths.
Stepping into Little India is like entering another world, with a treasure trove of spices, brassware, jewellery and silk saris. The home of the Indian community, the area around Serangoon Road offers a unique experience. You'll find it hard to resist some of the amazing silverware, paper-mache products, Indian bedspreads and collectibles from Kashmir.
Make sure you check out the variety of food, spices and flowers on offer at the Tekka Centre (known as KK to the locals). Hang out here and watch the local shoppers in action - they are a sight to behold. Finally, you have to visit the Mustafa Centre, a truly amazing emporium of delights that stays open 24 hours a day.
Every city has a Chinatown, but Singapore's is something special. A network of streets and alleys just behind the skyscrapers of the financial district, it offers an amazing array of goods from rolls of silk and boxes of gold jewellery to Chinese handicrafts and electronic goods. If you are lucky to visit during a Chinese festival period, you will be in for a real treat.
Shops spill out from the ground floors of pre-war shophouses in an area bordered by Upper Pickering Street, Cantonment Road, New Bridge Road and South Bridge Road. You'll find Chinese medicines, traditional ingredients and delicious food. Make sure to visit Bugis Street. If you're feeling lucky, try out one of the pavement fortune tellers.
HONG KONG
If you have never bargained before in your life, don't expect to score any big deals in Hong Kong's many markets. These traders are world champs when it comes to getting you to part with your hard-earned bucks. But, as long as you stick to your guns and aren't embarrassed by the game, you could end up with some great bargains.
Also make sure that anything electronic actually works by turning it on yourself, check clothing for tears and faults and make sure that wherever you are paying for ends up in the package you take home. Be warned, street shopping in Hong Kong is not for the faint-hearted, but it can be a whole lot of fun.
One of the most popular markets is the Temple Street Night Market in Kowloon, which springs to life when the sun goes down. Get there by MTR (Jordan Street station). Here you can find anything and everything from clothing and luggage to mobile phones and fake designer sunglasses. Even if you don't buy anything, there's great entertainment to be had just watching the goings-on.
At the north end of the market, to the left of the carpark, you can find some interesting 'adults only' toys. Head on to the Tin Hau temple, where you can have your fortune told and even watch some Chinese opera. It can get very crowded, as it is only open from 6-10pm, but is definitely worth a visit.
Another market on the Kowloon side worth visiting is the Ladies Market in Mong Kok, which is open from midday until 10.30pm. Specialising in clothing for women and children, you will also find some great toys here. Most of the clothing is inexpensive daywear, but you can also find the latest sportswear and some designer copies.
As many local people shop here, you will find the prices relatively inexpensive, but you still need to bargain. You will also find that handbags, caps caps and watches can be bought for cheaper than at the Temple Street Market and, despite the name, there is some men's clothing on sale. The nearest MTR station is Mong Kong.
Stanley Market is the best-known market on Hong Kong island and it specialises in clothing. It is open from 10am until 6.30pm. Over the years it has become increasingly gentrified and some of the shops and stalls now resemble chic boutiques. Bargaining is not as frantic as in other markets and you may have to buy more than one item to score any discount.
However, there is some great clothing on offer, ranging from cotton shirts and suits to the latest designer wear and traditional Chinese outfits. You can also find embroidered linen and tableware. Many of the stores seem to carry the same goods, so don't feel you need to buy at the first stall you come across. Those lying in the less busy part of the market will probably give you the best price.
A central Hong Kong market worth visiting lies in the pedestrian lanes known as Li Yuen Street East and West. From 10am to 7pm, you will find stalls packed with clothing, make-up, knick-knacks and assorted items. This market area is a short walk from the Central MTR station. Avoid lunch hours and after work, when the markets are packed with local workers.
BANGKOK
If you love shopping in markets, then Bangkok is probably your dream destination. For the Thai people, shopping at markets is an everyday event, so it's only natural that this has spilled over into the tourist industry. In virtually every area of the city, you will find a food market and other markets pop up in certain spots on certain days of the week.
The long-running Patpong night market, situated off Silom Road in the heart of the red-light district, is one of the best-known markets of the city. A visit can make for a fun outing and there are plenty of fake goods on offer, but bargains are not the order of the day here.
However, it's still the place to go if you want the very latest fake watch or copied DVD. If you do find something worth buying among all the regular T-shirts, trinkets and carved elephants, make sure you bargain heavily. It's not uncommon to get the asking price down to 30 percent of the opening gambit.
For clothing, there's nothing to beat the Pratunam Market in
Ratchaprarop Road, were some of the stalls stay open 24 hours a day. This is where many foreign retailers and distributors buy their stock, so you can score huge discounts if you are able to buy in bulk. Besides contemporary sports clothes, t-shirts and dresses, you will also find copies of the latest designer wear. for sale in bulk, only days after the international fashion shows.
Those who know their fashions and prices will do best, but as an individual shopper you will certainly be able to buy a new wardrobe of clothing here at a fraction of the price you would pay in a store. There are many other markets, such as the Banglamphu and Khoa San Road markets, that are worth a visit. Backpackers ensure that the prices stay low.
But the one that everyone comes to Bangkok for is the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Billed as the biggest open-air market in the world, it covers over 35 acres, holds more than 15,000 shops and stalls and draws at least 200,000 shoppers a day. Of course, it offers everything imaginable; DVDs, clothing, household goods, furniture, antiques, food, plants and more. It is particularly good for Thai handicrafts, but be wary of antiques and Buddhas, as these need permits to be taken out of the country.
The market is open from 9am-6pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The easiest way to get there is by Skytrain (MoChit station). Make sure you get there early, as it can be very hot and humid later in the day. To avoid getting totally lost, you can buy maps of the market, indicating what to find where.
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