Retail Therapy in Kuala Lumpur

One Utama

A major suburban retail therapy centre in KL, the area has been a bit tricky to reach previously by public transport, if you were not a local.  Ikea [at The Curve nearby] had their own feeder buses, but more development in the area has meant better public transport - mostly buses.

It is a big mall, with now two major areas - the old original and the newer stage 2.  Large corridors, plenty of shops,  but a bit flat in terms of the shops available.  More directed at local Malaysian customers probably, rather than tourists.  There are a few international upmarket brand shops, and Tangs from Singapore, but the experience with sales staff was not good.  Not focussed on wooing tourists to open their wallets is my view.

On most weekdays, it is reasonably empty, a distinct difference to KLCC, Mid Valley MegaMall or areas around Bukit Bingtang, where bustling might be a good term to use to describe them.

Think it is a bit flat overall, but it would depend on whether there was a focus on doing some shopping [with some specific needs] or not and whether there was much doing in the "sales" themes.

KLCC

Definitely a good shopping location, with major Malaysian, Japanese and Singaporean department stores - Parksons, Isetan, Tangs, and most of the name brands synonomous with high end high quality retail.  Particularly for women - LV, Prada, Burberry, Coach, Gucc, Rolex, Omega, Tag Heuer, Sony, HTC, Samsung and the list could go on.  There are about 6 or 7 levels of shops, and easily accessed using the rail network with a MRT station directly below the centre.

 

Think the options for eating are modest, but with such good local food available in other locations around KL it is hardly an issue.  Most eateries are for western food, so I guess for locals, that is a bit different.  Several coffee chains - Dome and Starbucks among them.

You can access the Petronas Towers from this area, but sometimes it is difficult to get access that same day, if it is busy.  You need to go and check as it was not possible to book otherwise when last checked out.

It is a worthwhile experience to go up and cross the skybridge. [ Remember the movie with Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones??]

Sungei Wang Plaza

Used to be the go to place for all sorts of shopping, especially electronics, illicit movies and software, and with a wide range of smaller shops selling many different items and plenty of eateries.  Also has a Parkson department store.

Sungei Wang Plaza is now 35 years old and very tired.  As an offering against many others - The Pavilion and Lot 10, Times Square - all very close by, it is now awful.  Run down and at times a bit grubby.  That said there are some bargains to be had, if you wander around.  Pirated DVDs and software are more difficult to obtain.  BUT - a big renovation is underway, and will continue through 2013 and into 2014.  Hard to tell so far on whether it will "come back", but it certainly lacks some features now more common in newer centres eg SWP has quite low ceilings, whereas newer places are more "öpen".  Time will tell.

But do get of the monorail at Bukit Bintang.......lots to do around that area, and you can get to both The Pavilion and Lot 10 from that stop.

1 Utama - Getting There by Public Transport

A major suburban retail therapy centre in KL, the area has been a bit tricky to reach previously by public transport.  Ikea [at The Curve complex nearby] had a special bus service previously, but with developments surely there is public transport now.

There is not of easy to find information on getting around Kuala Lumpur easily by public transport, but it is getting better.

Yes……you can get to 1 Utama by public transport, quite easily now.  A couple of options to consider.

From Stesen Central in KL, take a U89 bus, which goes to the Damansara interchange just about 100m from 1 Utama.  And you can also take the same bus in the reverse order, back to Stesen Central.  The travel time is about an hour.

Even better time wise, is to catch the train to Kelana Jaya which is the last station on the line that operates between Gombak and Kelana Jaya.  Go across the overpass and down to the street, and wait for a U82 bus, which goes to the Damansara interchange about 100m from 1 Utama.  There are a few other bus routes also going to the same location, including U43.  Do not be confused as some of the bus routes to 1 Utama are a bit convoluted, with sidetracks to pick up within housing areas.

For the return trip, catch the U43 at the interchange, or you can also catch the bus directly in front of 1 Utama, at the bus stop there.  You stop directly in front of Kelana Jaya rail station.

Best of all, these buses now operate with the same Touch N Go preloaded card that can be used on the trains……no hassle with fares at all.

Be prepared though………do not expect to see many non-Malaysians on the bus!!

But hey, why not??   Buses are air conditioned, seats okay and available and an easy option.  Be adventurous, and use public transport.