Shopping in the markets of Kuala Lumpur

Gargantuan shopping centres punctuate the cityscape of Kuala Lumpur. In a metropolis with year-round hot weather, many consumers prefer to trawl for their next purchase in the comfort of indoor, air- conditioned premises.

Hordes of tourists follow suit, flooding the city's scores of upmarket shopping destinations in search of designer labels.

But for those travellers willing to venture beyond the brand outlets, there are many vibrant and fascinating markets to explore.

From quirky antique markets to teeming Indian bazaars and dirt-cheap street markets, Kuala Lumpur has a host of enticing shopping destinations.

• Amcorp antiques market *

This flea market is well and truly off the Kuala Lumpur tourist trail, buried in the basement of Amcorp Mall in the city's western suburbs.

Makeshift stalls stretch along this cool space offering an unusual mix of second-hand items. Currency collectors will delight in inspecting the huge assortment of weathered coins and well- maintained bank notes for sale.

Record players from the 1960s and 1970s are lined up on tables next to boxes of vinyl releases spanning a variety of styles and languages.

This musical theme is continued by sellers of vintage instruments, which include a fascinating range of guitars. Fans of classic pop iconography will be enthralled by the many posters, advertisements and wall mounts available here.

Those looking for genuine antiques, rather than recent 20th century castaways, can inspect tables of old Chinese ornaments and amulets some of which are more than 150 years old, according to their sellers.

Then there are the more kitschy, bric-a-brac items such as gramophones, old irons and glass bottles. This is not your average Asian market and is *open weekends from 10am to 5pm. *

• Chow Kit market *

Sprawling along Jalan Chow Kit and spilling over into several adjoining alleys, this teeming street market embodies the stereotypes of South-East Asian bazaars.

Unlike Central Market or Petaling Street, this commercial area is one for the locals. It is particularly crowded on weekends, when shoppers weave through the many interconnected stalls searching for discounts.

As such it makes a great location for people watching and is an attractive spot even for those tourists not looking to fill their suitcases with cut-price purchases.

If you are seeking bargains, however, the prices here are as low as anywhere in Kuala Lumpur. Leather belts and wallets can be bartered down to less than $10 apiece. Skilled hagglers can secure a large suitcase for as little as $30.

Travellers with young children can make great savings on the huge variety of kids' clothing, which is even cheaper when purchased in bulk.

The adult garments, however, are not always of the highest quality and, apart from the often colourful traditional Muslim outfits, can be a little drab.

But never mind as you can still pick up affordable mobile phone accessories, make-up, jewellery, bags and hats. Chow Kit is *o * *pen daily from 9am to 5pm. *

• Masjid India market *

What starts as an orderly bazaar beneath a towering permanent canopy extends into a gigantic, frenetic street market on the weekends when Jalan Masjid India is closed to traffic.

At least twice the size of Petaling Street market, it hosts an extraordinary variety of stalls and is perhaps the most eclectic market in Kuala Lumpur.

This area, about 2km west of downtown shopping precinct Bukit Bintang, was known as Little India until the Kuala Lumpur suburb of Brickfields took over that title in recent times.

The giant market begins at the northern end of Jalan Masjid India under a long, lofty canopy - home to tightly packed stalls, most of which offer clothing in traditional Muslim and Western styles.

Beyond this pavilion it flows out on to Jalan Masjid India and stretches a further 400m to the end of the street. This area of the market is more varied, offering a truly remarkable assortment of goods.

While travelling parents are flicking through books, or trying on hats, watches, jeans and jewellery, their children will be drawn to the fireworks and remote- controlled toys on sale.

USBs, DVDs, CDs and headphones should be of interest to most tourists and can be purchased for less than half what they cost in Australia.

The huge range of fake flowers, underwear, socks, umbrellas, fresh fruit, dried foods and meat are for the locals. Similar to Chow Kit, this market offers a fascinating travel experience. The undercover market is * open daily from 10am until late. *The street market runs *on weekends from 10am to between 6 and 7pm. *

• Petaling Street *

Petaling Street is a tourist magnet where "designer" items come at a heavily reduced price and the back alley food is sumptuous.

This is the place for Bali-style shopping. Replicated sneakers, sunglasses, T-shirts, sports jerseys, shorts, dresses, caps, handbags and watches are the most popular items here.

Petaling Street is also a one-stop destination for souvenir hunters. Malaysia or Kuala Lumpur-themed ornaments, key rings, fridge magnets and posters are everywhere and reasonably priced.

Delve into the alleys which fan off Petaling Street to find cheap and delicious Chinese and Malaysian food. The curry laksa noodle soup and Hainan chicken rice are particularly tasty. Petaling Street is *o * *pen daily from 10am until at least 9pm *

• Central Market *

Central Market targets higher-end customers, catering for the more discerning souvenir hunter.

As distinct from the sometimes tacky souvenirs on Petaling Street, Central Market's stalls tend to offer more unique keepsakes to remind you of your Malaysian adventure.

While items similar to those found on Petaling Street are sold on the adjacent promenade, here, inside the elegant light-blue Art Deco-style building, the goods are of a higher quality and are often handmade. Intricately designed wood and stone carvings can cost hundreds of dollars but boast impressive craftsmanship.

Ornaments and traditional masks spanning in size from small mementos to huge showpieces are often similarly well made.

Central Market also offers jewellery, silver products, silk items and scarves which typically are of far better quality, and hence significantly more expensive, than those to be found in Kuala Lumpur's other main markets.

Spa products and ornate picture frames are sold from stalls in among pottery and gem shops. Once you're loaded down with bags full of new purchases, you can relax at one of the market's several coffee shops and Western-style restaurants.

Central Market is the most refined and comfortable market experience in Kuala Lumpur and is *o * *pen daily from 10am until at least 9pm. *

• fact file *

·Amcorp antiques and second-hand market is at Amcorp Mall, which is about 8km south west of Kuala Lumpur's city centre. It can be reached by the city's LRT sky train system, with Taman Jaya LRT station right alongside the mall.

·Masjid India market has some of the best Indian food in Kuala Lumpur. Hawker stalls are set up in the alleys that spoke off the main market serving fresh and very cheap Indian cuisine.

·Petaling Street and Central Market are close together within the Chinatown district of Kuala Lumpur and have similar opening hours.

Those looking for genuine antiques can inspect tables of old Chinese ornaments.