It’s no secret that mall-going is a Malaysian way of life. There’s essentially a mall just a stone’s throw away from anyone in the Klang Valley, and the average KL-ite would be lying if they said they don’t visit a mall at least once a week. Malls have basically everything we need – from a wide range of restaurants and clothing stores, to shops selling décor and tech products. Sure, you could point out that you don’t have to visit a mall to purchase such items. But if there’s one huge building that has all the products and services you’re looking for in it – it’s basically a no-brainer!
As much as we find malls super useful and a good leisure destination for the weekends, we have to admit, some malls are just… meh. Not to say that they’re bad – it’s just that there are better malls out there. In fact, Klang Valley malls, especially the popular ones, have been a really hot topic among netizens lately – so we’ve decided to chime in. Below is our ranking of popular malls in Greater KL – from meh to must-visit!
Disclaimer: It’s obvious that we can’t fit every single mall in this list. These are just the popular ones that we’re all very much familiar with.
Sungei Wang Plaza
Despite it being one of the first malls ever built in Malaysia, is it the first mall you think to visit when you want to purchase something? Be honest. Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, you know the journey to Sungei Wang would be just crazy, but not necessarily impossible. While it might not hold popular brands, it does offer affordable options. It may not be the best, but anything to save some cash for future’s sake!
Sunway Pyramid
Sunway Pyramid holds eighth place for being the most confusing mall in all of the Klang Valley. Don’t let the extraordinary lion statue here fool you – to this day, we don’t understand the layout of this mall. While they do have interesting activities and retail stores, it’s just not the mall we would normally gravitate towards. Plus, as it’s connected to a theme park, if you’re a first-timer there, you’ll find that parking can be a bit complicated.
1 Utama
Despite being one of the most visited malls in the Klang Valley, it takes forever to reach 1 Utama because of traffic, and the parking is just insane. The number of times we hear of people getting lost in 1 Utama proves how the New and Old wings aren’t as easy to navigate as people make them out to be. Plus, the mall is just way too big, and to get from one end to the other is a huge schlep – if you don’t get lost, that is.
IOI City Mall
IOI City Mall definitely takes the cake for being the biggest mall in the Klang Valley. The mall recently opened it’s second phase – and let’s just say that your journey inside IOI City Mall has just gotten longer. While it isn’t as hard to navigate, it does take a while for you to traverse the space from one retail store to another. However, it is home to branded retail stores that we’re familiar with, so it makes strolling in the mall a lot easier, we reckon.
Suria KLCC
Suria KLCC, placing fifth, might not be in your 2023 bingo card, but it has to be said: the mall is just way too crowded sometimes. However, we do get it – it’s one of the most popular malls in Kuala Lumpur, it would be odd if it weren’t. But if you have this sense of dread when you visit Suria KLCC, then maybe it’s not the mall for you. It’s located in the heart of KL, so you know the traffic is just crazy and the parking can be quite confusing. It’s a good spot for tourists who want to see the Petronas Towers lit up at night and the beautiful fountain shoot water, but not so much for the locals.
Pavilion KL
It’s undeniable that the traffic in Bukit Bintang is never-ending – but if you can brace through that traffic, then Pavilion KL might just be the mall for you. It’s one of the grandest malls out there and you’d be remiss if you don’t visit it at least once, just to experience the mall itself. It basically has everything – from all things high-end, to affordable brands and eateries. Plus, you’ll get a good view of Bukit Bintang lit up at night – it’s truly a stunning sight, as if you’ve been transported to New York City.
Mid Valley Megamall
Despite being located in what is essentially a business zone, Mid Valley Megamall isn’t as uninteresting as some might think. Sure, the roads around Mid Valley City can be a bit confusing, but the layout of the Megamall is straightforward, so navigating it should be a breeze. The mall hits every single mark in terms of shopping and the choices of eateries is just as good, if not better. Of course, if you work at Mid Valley City, this is the last place you would want to visit. But, just in case you don’t, Mid Valley Megamall has everything that you would ever need in one building.
MyTOWN Shopping Centre
Say what you want, but MyTOWN is pretty poppin’. The mall has a wide selection of restaurants, retail shops and activities to keep its guests entertained. Plus, it’s big enough, so you don’t feel as suffocated when you want to do your shopping. They also have IKEA attached to it, which is always a plus to do some extra shopping.
Tropicana Gardens Mall
Tropicana Gardens Mall – what’s not to love? If you’re a first-timer there, you’ll have a pretty hard time wanting to leave it. The mall features popular brands that we’re very much familiar with, as well as local brands that totally need our #sapotlokal. There’s also an abundance of eateries that will fill up your tummy in a jiffy. If you live pretty far from the mall, getting there can be quite a journey – but it’s a journey totally worth taking! That’s why it’s NUMBER ONE on our list!
So, what do you think? Do you agree with our ranking? Let us know which malls you’ll be visiting the most in the Klang Valley!
