Central Market

Souvenir shopping and cultural shows at a vibrant bazaar

Noteworthy for: More than a place to shop, Central Market is a mecca for cultural events and traditional dance shows. Check their webpage for details.

This Malaysian heritage site dates back to 1888, when it was a traditional wet market for city dwellers. These days, it is an enormous showcase of Malaysia's three main ethnic groups—Malay, Indian and Chinese—where visitors can pick up handicrafts, art, batik, wood carvings and trinkets, as well as sample a great selection of local cuisine.

The huge number of vendors and frenetic pace make this a great place to get to grips with the art of Malaysian shopping. Test your bartering skills and walk away with a traditional kebaya blouse-dress or a wooden face mask—but don't be tempted to snap up the first curiosity you see as the same products are sold at several stalls at different prices.