|
Penang market shoes |
Charming buys like antique originals and reproductions of Peranakan, Chinese, Indian and Indonesian artefacts can be found on the island, along with textiles like fine Chinese cottons and rich Indian silks are found mostly in Georgetown's inner city. The availability of locally-made jewellery items, shoes and apparel in retail outlets and shopping malls in Georgetown rival their foreign counterparts in quality but not price.
Penang Road/Bishop Street
Made-in-China linen, cotton and organza hand towels, table cloth and pillowcases--either in crisp white, pale pinks and soft blues--can be sourced from little shops along these streets. Leather and velvet house slippers embroidered in red, blue or green threads and multi-coloured beads also make trendy conversation pieces.
Little India
In Market Street and noted for textile and spice shops and restaurants, it is a must-see thanks to its vibrant street life. You can learn to buy a saree or tie one here, pick up a luxurious Kashmiri woollen shawl for under RM50 (C$16.50) and buy lengths of Bangalore silk and cotton in brilliant hues. Catch the fragrance of jasmine garlands and sniff spices like cinnamon and cardamom.
Campbell Street
You do not have to take the slow boat to China for reasonably-priced silk, brocades and cottons. Rows of pre-War shophouses offer a wide array of fabrics. Take a stroll along Penang's first semi-pedestrian shopping mall and take in the Chinese brocades--either of silk or polyester variety priced from around RM24 (C$8) per metre. Chinese raw silk is also aplenty, along with the cool "broderie anglaise" or eyelet embroidered cotton in pleasing pastels. The price A mere RM12 (C$4) per metre for these sweet lacy textiles. Gold jewellery ranging from slim anklets and to chunky items are also found here.
Pulau Tikus
Shopping malls in this area offer everything and anything from original video compact discs, toiletries and bargain books, to upmarket jewellery outlets and classy shoe stores. A new sea-fronting mall offers good bargains for factory-outlet designer wear, made-for-export footwear in suede, satin and leather and an upmarket jewellery store where trendy items like white gold diamonds can be found at affordable prices.
More information contact Tourism Malaysia at 1-888-669-6872 or go to
