Asia’s Top 8 Destinations For The Ultimate Shopping Experience!

Someone wise once said, “When in doubt, go shopping”. We say, go shopping and travelling! And when it comes to shopping, there’s no place like Asia. From luxury goods to authentic local products to designer knockoffs, Asia offers all this and more on a platter. The most amazing part about shopping in Asia is that it is totally value for money! What’s more? When you aren’t busy shopping you can explore the continent’s exotic beauty.

Sounds tempting, no? So why delay? Let us help you plan – here are Asia’s Top 8 Shopping Destinations!

Dubai is synonymous with shopping. It’s love for shopping is evident from the sheer number of malls in Dubai! Among the malls, Dubai Mall has to be number one on your list. With over 1,200 stores and 160 restaurants, this mall is the Big Daddy of all malls! Other malls worth visiting include the Egyptian themed Wafi Mall, the modern-day souk of Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Ibn Battuta mall, and the Mall of Emirates. Gold shoppers look no further than the iconic Deira Gold Souk. Here, all that glitters is literally gold! If you are looking for some budget-friendly options for souvenirs, gifts, imitation watches, among others then Karama Shopping Center is your one stop destination.

For a more traditional shopping experience, step out of the sleek air-conditioned malls and head to Dubai’s souks. Depending on what you want to buy, you can choose among the Spice Souk, Textile Souk, Perfume Souk or Fruit and Vegetable Souk. Al Fahidi Street, more popularly known as Meena Bazaar is a heaven for gadget lovers. Bargain hard and make sure to ask for warranty! For massive discounts and offers on electronics make sure to visit the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) held during Spring (March/April) and Fall (September/October) every year.

The best time to shop in Dubai is of course during the Dubai Shopping Festival held annually between December and January. The fabulous deals, discounts and the infectious energy of this shopping festival will tempt even the thriftiest shopper to max out his credit cards! If you can’t make it during the Dubai Shopping Festival, then head to the Dubai Summer Surprises festival held between July and September.

Quirky, cool and super fun, Tokyo has a diverse shopping scene offering designer wear to hipster boutiques to electronic gizmos and antiques! The fashion conscious can get their share of the latest trends at Ginza and Omotesando. Both these districts are known for their stylish boutiques and stores. For a more bohemian experience, head to Shimo-Kitazawa and Asakusa where you can find creative shops, vintage clothing and unique local crafts. To get a taste of Tokyo’s famous idiosyncratic shops, venture into the fascinating Roppongi district.

Tokyo also has a fantastic variety of malls, most of which are concentrated in the Ikebukuro, Odaiba, and Shinjuku districts. LaLaport TOKYO-BAY, Sunshine City and Venus Fort are malls worth visiting. Electronics lovers will be dazzled by the sheer variety of products found at Akihabara – the Electric Town. Here you will find the world’s greatest electronic stores and the quirkiest gaming arcades on the planet! An insider tip – a lot of shopping malls in Tokyo offer tax-free consumables and non-consumables. Keep your passport handy and look out for tax-free tags displayed in the malls.

Make sure to visit during the Japan Shopping Festival held twice a year – in the summer (July 1st to August 31st) and winter (December 1st to February 28th) – to get irresistible discounts.

From fashionable clothes to electronics to replicas of big brands, there’s something for every shopper in Hong Kong’s neon-lit bustling shopping districts. To get the best of fashion and global brands visit malls like IFC, Times Square, Pacific Place, and Harbour City. If you seek something more unique and local, then explore the independent stores and boutiques in Sheung Wan, Wan Chai, and Tsim Sha Tsui. Head to the Ladies’ Market in Kowloon for a truly local street shopping experience. If you don’t want to roam around much then go to Sogo, Hong Kong’s largest department store spread across eighteen floors.

In Wan Chai and Sham Shui Po, you can get your fix of electronics. On Wyndham Street and Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan, you can find Chinese antiques, handicrafts, ceramics and all things vintage. Hong Kong is renowned for its pearls, both cultured and freshwater. You’ll find genuine pearls with certificates of authenticity in jewelry stores in Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok.

The Hong Kong Shopping Festival is held every year during June to August and is a part of the annual Summer Sale. Shoppers can also enjoy massive discounts at the yearly Winter Sale held during Christmas and before Chinese New Year in February.

Trendy and chic, Seoul loves to shop and leaves you spoilt for choice! As a shopper in Seoul, you first stop has to be Myeondong. Besides popular clothing brands, Myeondong is most famous for its cosmetic stores with as many as twenty makeup stores in a single block! EWHA Women’s University Shopping Street is a shopping paradise for students and young women. Here you can find everything related to fashion – clothes, shoes, accessories, bags and more!

For chic high-end fashion, head to Garosugil and Apgujeong in the Gangnam district known for their designer stores, boutiques, and elegant ateliers. Want to bring back some traditional Korean crafts and souvenirs? Then visit the century old Gwangjang Market or the 700-meter-long Insadong Street for all things Korean. If you want everything under roof, then venture into Dongdaemun shopping district. This shopping hub is home to 26 malls with over 30,000 shops! HELLO APM, Migliore, Doota Tower, and Good Morning City are four malls that must be your list.

Korea tempts shoppers further with the annual Korea Grand Sale (January-February) and the Summer Sale (July).

Home to over 120 shopping malls including three of the ten largest malls in the world, Kuala Lumpur takes its shopping very seriously. Offering diversity of brands and a variety of shopping experiences, Kuala Lumpur provides retail therapy the way it’s meant to be. While it’s not possible to explore all the malls in Kuala Lumpur in one visit, you must not miss Pavilion, Suria KLCC, Sunway Pyramid, 1 Utama Shopping Center, and Mid-Valley Megamall. Most of Kuala Lumpur’s shopping, dining and entertainment options are located in the hot and happening Golden Triangle district – definitely a must visit.

Kuala Lumpur’s colorful markets offer a more traditional shopping experience. Central Market is great for handicrafts, souvenirs and quirky trinkets, whereas Petaling Street is a mix of Nepalese, Chinese and Burmese shopkeepers selling designer knock offs, accessories and jewelry. Haggle with all your might and you can get stuff at half the price originally quoted.

If all this is not enough to lure shoppers, Kuala Lumpur entices them some more with the annual, 1 Malaysia Super Sale (March), 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival (June-August), and 1Malaysia Year-End Sale (November-December).

If there’s anything that Singaporeans love more than their food, it’s shopping! In fact, Singapore packs more malls per square mile than any other country in the world. Shopping in Singapore always begins at Orchard Street. This 2.2-kilometer boulevard is lined with a bevy of glitzy malls. Those worth visiting include Paragon, ION Orchard, 313@Somerset, and Orchard Getaway. Beyond Orchard Street, Singapore’s largest mall – VivoCity and the tres chic The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands should also be on your list. Those looking for more funky and hip options can explore the quirky boutiques on Haji Lane and Tiong Bahru.

In Little India, shoppers can find a treasure trove of antiques, textiles, handicrafts, and the renowned Mustafa Centre. Whereas in Chinatown, you can find nearly everything Chinese – from traditional candles and artwork to modish clothes to bustling street side eateries! For the best in electronics, make sure to visit Funan The IT Mall and The Adelphi.

Although a year-round shopping hot spot, its best to visit Singapore during the Great Singapore Sale held between June and August every year. Book your accommodation well in advance, because the hotels run full during these months!

Bangkok satiates every shopper’s desires. Here you can find virtually anything across extravagant malls, street shops, wholesale markets, and even floating markets!

Can’t decide which malls to visit? MBK, Siam Paragon, and Central Market are your best options. Don’t have the time to shop during the day? Worry not, head to the Patpong Night Market or Ratchada Night Market. Low on cash? You have plenty of choices – Platinum Fashion Mall, Union Mall, Pratunam Market, and Victory Monument Market. As for geeks, they can go crazy at Pantip Plaza, a gigantic IT mall in the heart of Bangkok.

Spend your weekend exploring the massive Chatuchak Market to get great bargains on clothes, handicrafts, home décor and more. In Chinatown, you can pretty much find everything under the sun at the cheapest prices in Bangkok in a more local and traditional ambiance. Insider tip: Haggling is absolutely necessary at Chatuchak Market and Chinatown.

For even bigger and better shopping experience, visit Bangkok during the annual Amazing Thailand Grand Sale held between June to August.

Shopping in Delhi is as exciting as the city itself, offering an eclectic mix of upscale malls and vibrant bazaars tucked in its historical pockets. When it comes to malls, you must visit DLF Place Saket, DLF Promenade, DLF Emporio, Select City Walk, and Ambience Mall. For exclusive designer boutiques and independent stores explore Connaught Place, Hauz Khas, and Greater Kailash Market.

While malls in Delhi offer the best of brands, for a quintessentially Delhi shopping experience you must explore its traditional markets. Sarjoni Nagar and Janpath are every Delhi girl’s go-to hotspots for clothes, bags, shoes, jewelry and accessories, all available at throwaway prices. Whereas Lajpat Nagar and Chadni Chowk are local favorites for ethnic Indian wear and jewelry. Filled with funky bohemian stalls and stores. Paharganj is a hit among foreign tourists. Dilli Haat is the place to buy handicrafts and art from across India. As for antiques, artworks, and secondhand goods, Khan Market and Sunder Nagar Market offer the best in town.

Shopaholics, carry your empty suitcases and book your flights on EMI and head to these fabulous cities to get the best of shopping and travelling! Get, Set, Shop!