Kota Kinabalu Shopping Guide

Shopping malls in Kota Kinabalu

There are several shopping malls in Kota Kinabalu. Some of the malls that attract the most shoppers are Wisma Merdeka in Warisan Square, the Plaza Wawasan in the City Mall, Kompleks Karamunsing in Centre Point and KK Plaza. Karamunsing (where you will find Kompleks Karamunsing ) boasts the largest number of computer shops in Sabah. The newly opened 1 Borneo is the biggest shopping mall in East Malaysia, and perhaps even in Borneo. There is a market on Gaya Street every Sunday with local hawkers selling all sorts of things from traditional souvenirs to flowers, and even pets. In the Kota Kinabalu shops and Handicraft Market, you will come across traditional handicrafts, souvenirs, and food items.

Most of the malls and shopping areas in Kota Kinabalu are located on the main streets of the city, so it is easy to find them. The shops in the shopping centres have fixed prices, but you will find these highly affordable. Almost all the malls are open from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm.

It is worth getting up early for some real Malaysian shopping at the urban Gaya Street Fair which begins at 8:00 am every Sunday. The fair is held at the lower end of Gaya Street, and the stalls overflow with Malaysian delicacies, ground coffee, t-shirts, handicraft, hardware, and much more, all at bargain prices.

Flea Markets

If you like flea markets, you will find them in many of the villages and towns around Kota Kinabalu. These Sunday markets are known as 'Tamu', and you can find a fascinating array of wares here such as orchids, vegetables, fruits, poultry, handicraft, and traditional musical instruments.

Handicraft Market

Next to the waterfront is the Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market which used to be called ‘ Filipino Market'. This market is well known for pearls, local handicrafts, items of home décor, and lately even crystals. The shopkeepers are warm and friendly and will not mind it if you bargain with them. In fact, you can manage a bargain or two without much effort. Here you will find souvenirs such as t-shirts with Sabah themes, key chains, rattan handicrafts and floor mats, wooden statues, batik items, sarongs, Islamic calligraphy, and brooches. Surprisingly, some of these items are imported from overseas, and Malaysia's neighbours ­- The Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Korea. This colourful, lively place is a wonderful memory you can take back home with you.

Kota Kinabalu Souvenirs

Of course, wherever we go in the world, it makes sense to bring back with us a bit of the cultures we encounter. In Malaysia, you can buy some of the famous traditional handicrafts and cultural souvenirs produced by Borneo's many tribes and cultures. There is so much to choose from - rattan baskets, bangles and earrings made from beads with elaborate designs inspired by local legends, the traditional knife or 'parang', curved into a crescent shape, with a stump forming the handle. For your family and friends, the 'Tudung Dulang', a local food cover made out of fabric to keep away insects, is a perfect gift.

You can also pick up pottery created by the indigenous tribes of Borneo - ceramic stools, cisterns for drinking water, lamps, decorative jars and vases, candle holders, teapots, ashtrays, mugs, even photo frames. You'll also find excellent Chinese pottery here, made by the Chinese settlers of Borneo.

If you are looking for beautiful ethnic clothes, there are sarongs, overthrows, and more, made from 'Pua Kumbu,' a beautiful fabric woven by the Iban people of Sarawak. The exquisite patterns are tied and dyed on vertical threads. Shopping in Kota Kinabalu is a joyful experience and after a day of shopping you will certainly not go home empty handed.