Top 10 places to shop in Penang

• The Gurney Plaza
• Chinatown
• Chowrasta Market
• Little India
• Little Penang Street Market
• One-Stop Midlands Park Centre
• Penang Bazaar
• Penang New World Park
• Penang Plaza
• Queensbay Mall

The Gurney Plaza

Gurney Plaza is the second largest mall in Penang and is located at the popular locality of Gurney Drive. It is situated in front of the waterfront and was opened only recently in the year 2001. It has three anchors – the Golden Screen Cinemas that offers 12 screens, the Cold Storage Supermarket and the Parkson Grand. The mall has nine stories and houses almost 400 brands like Versace, Fossil and Coach. The mall is open everyday from 10 am to 10 pm and is accessible through Kelawai Road and the Gurney Drive.

Chinatown

The name Chinatown is not an official one but the locality is popularly known by this name. It is located around the areas of Lebuh Chulia and the Lebuh Campbell. Chinatown offers a good insight into the history of the Chinese immigrants of Penang along with housing numerous stalls and markets. These sell everything from clothes to lanterns. The area is also dotted with numerous Chinese coffee shops, antique shops and temples. Even if you do not buy anything, you will be delighted by the whole experience of it.

The various markets and stalls in Chinatown offer traditional clothes, Chinese medicines, herbs, crystals and antique items. You can also find shoemakers, signage gravers and shoemakers here. These are skills mastered by the Chinese immigrants and they have been passed on from one generation to another.

Chowrasta Market

The Chowrasta Market is the most renowned market of Penang. It is a very old market and its history goes back to a few centuries. The market is divided into two sections – the wet market and the dry market. The wet market is located at the back and sells some of the most fresh food items like Hiang biscuits, fresh nutmegs and preserved fruits. Most of the food items sold here are the cheapest in the island. You will also find a bookshop on the first floor that sells second-hand books at bargain prices. The market is open everyday from 8:30 am to 8 pm.

Little India

Little India is a locality filled with shops offering spices, Indian food items, gold jewelry, items used for prayer and also CD-S and DVD-s of Indian movies. Indian songs are played throughout the day from the shops and it just adds to the vibe of the market. The market offers a totally different experience and is open everyday from 10 am to 11 pm.

Little Penang Street Market

The Little Penang Street Market is open on the last Sunday of every month and it is a unique market offering exciting crafts and artworks. It displays the best of the culture, which is prevalent in Penang. The market also boasts of live performances, an art gallery, live demonstrations, exhibitions, book reading sessions and entertainment for children. It is open everyday from 10 am to 5 pm.

One-Stop Midlands Park Centre

The One stop Midlands Park centre boasts of 200 shops and houses both well-known brands and bargain items at the same place. You will find rare items like paintings, ceramics, feng shui charms and pottery. The sixth floor of the market has everything you may need for using your computer. It is open everyday from 10 am to 8 pm.

Penang Bazaar

Unlike the other vibrant shopping malls of Penang, this one offers a quiet and calm experience. The mall is two-storied and its main anchor is Giant supermarket housing everything you may need for running your home. A furniture showroom and a bargain bookstore are located at the second floor. It is a good place for getting essential household items.