A duty-free island, Langkawi provides a great opportunity to purchase inexpensive liquor, chocolate or tobacco products., and with countless stalls luring with beach apparel, ethnic jewelry, handicrafts and souvenirs at bargain prices., an indulgent shopping spree is pretty much inevitable.
Looking for a more sophisticated shopping experience and truly unique products with a local touch? There is a handful of retail stores with exquisite, beautifully presented products selected to delight discerning customers. Whether you are looking for hand-made bags, home accessories, furniture, high-quality tea or traditional herbal remedies, our Shopping Guide features the most noteworthy stores on the island.
Looking for an original gift with a truly Langkawian flair?! Head to Pisang - one of the island’s most famous stores! Founded nearly 20 years ago, the shop specializes in hand-made gamat soaps & lotions that are so popular, they are distributed also to other parts of Malaysia and sold abroad. The miracle ingredients that makes them so unique? Sea Cucumber and Virgin Coconut Oil!
Inhabiting the seafloor around Langkawi, the marine creatures called Sea Cucumber (or in local slang 'Gamat') are believed to have great medicinal value which was discovered some three hundred years ago in a rather unusual way: Heading to the shores to bring home the day's catch, a fisherman brushed with his leg against the slimy elongated body of a Sea Cucumber. As a natural defense, the creature released a milky fluid so sticky it can compete with the most advanced underwater adhesives utilized today! Realizing that he will have to shave his leg to get rid of the gummed up hair, the fisherman took his rusty old axe, hacking in fury any sea cucumber around into pieces. The surprise came on the following day. Instead of finding a shore full of lifeless Sea Cucumber bodies, the fisherman discovered that his victims miraculously recovered over night. Superficial wounds were completely healed and while looking a little sore, those sea cucumbers that were cut right through somehow managed to re-join their detached body parts. A finding that got the fisherman thinking: If capable of healing itself, could a Sea Cucumber extract assist with wound healing?! The thriving Sea Cucumber industry of today proves him right.
Producing granules of insoluble proteins that stick together, Sea Cucumber has the ability to accelerate regeneration and trigger the growth of new cells which makes it one of the most effective natural wound healing agents. Boosting additionally the production of collagen, Sea Cucumber extract has also the reputation to reduce fine lines and counter-act the development of deep wrinkles, enhancing the appearance of aging skin.
While an amazing ingredient, it does make a difference how is it further processed. Which is where Pisang's skin care production comes into play. Obtaining the gamat extract from selected fishermen that adhere to sustainable practices, the manufacturing process is strictly regulated in terms of hygiene and the fresh goat milk and fine coconut powder added to create the hand-made soaps are of highest quality. Infused with pure essential oils for an added Aromatherapy benefit, you can choose a calming lavender, invigorating peppermint or a soap with the sensual scent of pink plumeria. Ideally complemented by a matching lotion or cream.
Recently added to the assortment is a range of wonderful product from a virgin coconut oil with a scent so rich and divine you will not only love to pamper your skin with it but also tempted to drizzle it over an exotic tropical salad. Which is absolutely an option!! While at it, purchase also a few bars of coconut soap. You can choose between a refreshing Lemongrass aroma, a sensual Sandalwood or the invigorating Peppermint scent. But even the unscented bar of a coconut soap is so fragrant, you may happily stick to the pure version.
Intrigued? Wait until you see the beautiful packaging! Wrapped in colorful fabrics, the skin care products make the perfect gift while giving away another specialty of Pisang: Wonderful batik accessories!
Crafted by the local artisan Azira in the art studio on the first floor, they range from tiny coin purses, bags, scarves and pareos to beautiful large paintings that can be rolled up for a convenient travel arrangement. Whether you like a modern pattern or traditional art with heliconia, hibiscus or lotus flower motives, the selection is large and you can even have a made-to-order piece!
Curious how the batik art is made? Join a workshop and experience first-hand the overall process from drawing a pattern with a canting dipped into a hot wax and subsequent coloring with the wax-lines building a natural barrier that prevents the colors from spilling, making sure you end up with the stunning piece you envisioned!
Still in a shopping mood? Take your time walking around the spacious store and discover some hidden treasures such as unique jewelry made of semi-precious stones, original beats and the famous freshwater pearls from Borneo! Whatever your taste - a visit to the Pisang Handicraft & Art Village is a must when looking for lovely gifts to bring back from your holidays in Langkawi.
Although located in a remote corner of the Langkawi Kraft Complex, which in itself is built away from the main tourism spots, Faizy Crystal receives plenty of visitors. With good reason! While the majority of retail stores on the island lure with handicraft imported from the neighboring countries, the unique glass object you will find at the Faizy Crystal showroom are truly the products of Langkawi.
So much so, you can actually enter the adjacent workshop and watch the artisans while they work.
Attracted by beautiful items since he was a child, the owner, Kamarul Faizy Roslan, chose to study art at UiTM University in Johor. Excelling at crafting fine ceramics, he was invited along with three fellow students to attend an art school in New Zealand where he got completely mesmerized by the translucent beauty of glass. A blend of sand and metallic oxides heated in a furnace to the extreme temperature of 1,400 °C, the material, flowing like honey, becomes alive with an inner light - just waiting to be transformed in an exquisite piece of art…
After working for a few years as a glass artist for a company based in Kuala Lumpur, Kamarul relocated two decades ago to Langkawi, and although the beginnings were not easy, the mystical island and her breathtaking beauty were such a source of inspiration, Kamarul was determined to stay for good. Starting with a small workshop, the artist had a dream of opening one day a professional glass studio known for art of the highest quality! Having set his mind on working with raw materials and colors provided exclusively by the world’s best suppliers, he spent years putting aside every cent he could spare to get together the start-up capital he needed. And his patience and perseverance paid eventually off.
The Faizy Crystal which opened in 2003 received over the years numerous awards, Kamarul’s beautiful glass art is a sough-after holiday souvenir for visitors from all over the world and a few custom-made pieces adorn governmental offices…
Which doesn’t really come as a surprise. The paperweights that capture at their very core iridescent hues in abstract patterns are so intriguing, they fuel your imagination, lending you wings when you need to be creative. And no matter what your favorite fragrance, once filled in an exquisite flacon a perfume becomes truly alluring.
The showroom features a variety of beautiful pieces from delicate jewelry to extravagant vases, bowls and candle holders that will immerse the space in a rainbow of colors.
If you are staying on the island a little longer, you can order a custom made piece that perfectly fits the ambiance of your home or order VIP gifts for business associates. Planning a prestigious event? Bring in some glamour with a hand-crafted crystal award!
If you are traveling with family, set aside some extra time. Your kids are sure to fall in love with all the colorful birds, fish, and exotic sea creatures! And once they hear that they can watch a live demonstration, there is no way you can leave without visiting the workshop.
While you may be joining just for the kids’ sake, observing the artisans as they create their beautiful pieces is a horizon widening experience. Coated with a glowing layer of glass, the iron rod is first rolled into a uniform cylinder and immersed in a bowl with powder, rod or chip color. Briefly re-heated, the piece of glass gets shaped with pliers. It’s quite amazing to watch the skillful grips that transform the generic piece of glass in a blink of an eye into a bird, complete with wings, beak and curious eyes!
And once the master demonstrates the art of glass blowing, you will be definitely fascinated! It can take months until the artisan masters the technique, making sure he releases his breath in a gentle and steady manner to create a glass bubble that is perfectly even.
The best part about joining the demonstration? The opportunity to experience the creation of these unique glass objects first hand will entirely change your prospective - making you truly appreciate the piece of art you are sure to bring back home…
Well-traveled, Jenny Ong, the owner of the famous Alun-Alun Spa, has a keen sense for trends and a perfect understanding of what will make the hearts of foreign travelers leap with joy!
Luring with a sensory shopping experience and an exclusive collection of truly unique products, the spacious Element Mall, originally located in Pantai Tengah, turned out to be far too small to accommodate the many delighted customers. So these days, you get to satisfy your shopping cravings in the island's largest lifestyle warehouse near Kisap.
Spread over 800 square meters and divided into four distinct retail areas, the spacious store enchants with a sophisticated interior: Crystal chandeliers and exquisite lanterns made of white silk illuminate shelves and antique teak wood tables that serve as displays. The walls are adorned with unusual batik paintings, and the hand-crafted Buddha sculptures and delicate orchid blossoms invite to linger around and take in the sensory atmosphere.
But the visual impression is only part of the experience! Filling the shelves of the skincare section, the floral waters, exquisite body lotions and rich creams just wait for you to take in their divine scent, tempting you to feel their velvety texture on your skin. Incorporating virgin coconut oil, potent herbs and tropical plants, Jenny's organic skincare draws upon the holistic healing tradition of Malaysia, aiming to restore the natural beauty of your skin and hair while completely omitting preservatives, mineral oil, lanolin and other controversial ingredients. Soon to be available for purchase in Switzerland, the organic skincare line can be re-ordered online. So if you fall in love with these wonderful products, you don't have to wait until your next holiday to stock-up on your favorites!
If you acquired a taste for sampling, continue in the culinary section. With no added sugar or artificial enhancers, the Rosella Tea is simply delicious, and the slices of dry guava, papaya and mango have such an intense flavor, they put you right back in the tropical holiday mood when enjoyed back home.
Popular is also the aromatic coffee from Malacca and if you are intrigued by sacred local remedies, purchase the slimming Teak Leaf Tea, give a try to Kacip Fatimah, a beauty and health elixir for women, or purchase Tongat Ali, one of the world's most potent aphrodisiacs and a 'secret love weapon' of local men.
An admirer of Malaysian batik, Jenny was looking for ways to promote the traditional art in a contemporary context. And so you will find in her store exquisite hand-painted scarves and made-to-order handbags with rare ornamental block print typical for the Kelantan region. Beautiful batik patterns adorn also the covers of notebooks, photo albums and picture frames. Available in a variety of designs and sizes, their range is so extensive, the Element Mall boasts a dedicated stationary section.
Looking for a truly unique gift? Don't miss the wallets, small purses and cosmetic bags made of dried teak leafs. Tinted with natural colors that bring out the fine leaf patterns, each of the accessories is as original as a fingerprint.
And if you have a weak spot for fine jewelry - brace yourself! Whether plated with white or yellow gold, each of the hand-made filigree pieces adorned with precious gems is a true unicum! So walking out empty-handed is barely an option. Just come and see for yourself!
Looking for exquisite jewelry, unique pieces of art and beautiful home accessories? There is one retail store you can impossibly skip! Situated on the long shopping strip of Pantai Cenang and surrounded by all the souvenir shops that lure with uninspired, thousand times repeated import from Indonesia, CINNAMON’S GIFT stands truly out.
When opening his store some 15 years ago, the passionate owner, Bala Murali, may not have had much experience with retail, nor a clear plan how to make his business work. But he had the vision to create a place filled with things so beautiful that passersby won’t have
a choice but to step in. And that’s exactly what has been happening for more than a decade now!
Like the adventurers who followed centuries ago the Spice Route in quest of the fragrant CINAMMON, a spice so unique it was regarded the perfect gift for Sultans and even Gods, Bala set out on a journey through Southeast Asia, visiting hidden antique stores and handicraft workshops, looking for pieces that will catch his eye and touch his heart.
Coming back from his trip and displaying his very first collection, he was a little nervous, wondering whether his personal taste will match the one of prospective customers. But the beautiful items disappeared one by one from the shelves, and with them all the doubts Bala initially had.
Not that his family and friends were surprised by the success! Since he was a little boy, Bala used to collect beautiful things. Pebbles and driftwood he found on the beach, forgotten, by dust covered antique pieces he brought back to shine… And the one subject in school he really loved was, of course, art. Which clearly shows when you look around Bala’s shop today.
The presentation is truly original!!! The hand-made street display of ethnic jewelry was once upon a time a regular cabinet. Now, one of the open doors showcases earrings, while the other one displays necklaces, and a round opening in the back of the cupboard frames a red tree carved out of wood - utilized as an eye-catching display for pendants!
If you manage not to get distracted by the beautiful merchandise available for purchase, you are sure to discover more unique hand-made design features: deep rectangular boxes on the walls that serve as shelves, a table display with a cavity filled with sand and seashells, mirror-mosaics on the wall…
The actual shopping experience is as captivating as the presentation. While the outdoor display lures with inexpensive feather earrings and ethnic bijouterie popular with the young crowd, once you enter the store, you will find exquisite silver jewelry, intricate wood carvings, fine lacquer ware, original paintings and unique collectables such as elephants and hand-made bronze sculptures that portray the adorable chubby ‘yoga ladies’.
A little overwhelmed by the eclectic selection? Enjoy a cocktail, a glass of wine or a refreshing juice on the Cinnamon’s cozy patio, taking your time prior to deciding on a purchase. Then again - if you do fall in love with a few things on the spot, you may as well give in. Or else, you could end up like the charming lady from UK who left empty handed - just to return five times!!! on the same day, satisfied only once she got even the last piece of jewelry she originally set her eyes on…
When a shop flourishes for more than two decades despite a location away from the busy tourism spots, you can be sure the shopping experience is worth it! Currently in the process of relocating, the one-stop handicraft & art gallery lures with sophisticated presentation and an exquisite selection of antiques and handicraft personally sourced by the owners all across Asia. Intrigued? Wait until you hear the stories that surround some of the rare objects you will find in De’ Zone!
Sharing a passion for unique artifacts, aboriginal cultures and adventure, two friends, Albert Ng and Alan Lim, decided many
years ago to set out on a journey to Borneo.
With the spirit of Indiana Jones, they followed narrow paths deep into the jungle, encountering on their voyage riverine and hill-dwelling Orang Asli tribes. While their arrival was celebrated in some settlements with welcoming ceremonies and the legendary tuak, a traditional drink made of fermented glutinous rice buried for years in the ground for ultimate flavor, occasionally they found themselves surrounded by a group of half-naked warriors with blowpipes and faces covered in vibrant paint - wondering whether they may have run into the Iban Headhunters known for hanging on central beams of their shacks the skulls of those trespassing their territory as a symbol of their power and social status…
A terrifying experience?! Albert and Alan confess that their trip was spiced up with some rather scary moments and long nights with one of them keeping a watch, anxiously waiting for the first rays of dawn… But to them, adrenalin rush is part of the thrill, and the stunning artifacts they came across during their trip well worth the risk taken! And so, rather than writing off their adventure as a youthful escapade, the two friends decided to make their trips regular and turn their passion into a business.
Embarking on a new adventure four or five times annually, they visited over the years many remote places across the Malay Peninsula, Thailand, Burma and Cambodia, returning each time with truly unique funds and extraordinary memories they are happy to share with their customers.
Enchanted by the tribal masks? While they are sure to add exotic flair to your living room when hanging over the homey sofa, imagine how different you will feel about them when able to picture indigenous people wearing them during a ritual trance-dance. When running your fingers along the elaborately carved totem made of black iron wood, you may still sense the power of the ancestral prayers. And as you put on the ornamental bracelet made of massive silver, worn a century ago during a tribal wedding ceremony, for a brief moment, you may feel the excitement of the young shy bride from Meow Hill tribe in the Golden Triangle.
Curious about the purpose of the jade and stone containers with perforated lids? Fire-proof, they were designed for burning incense, with the tiny holes allowing the fragrant scent to escape into the air. While some of the delicately painted ceramic pieces are antique tea pods, those furnished with a thin tubule tell the story of red poppy fields high in the Cambodian hills and hidden opium dens luring with the promise of euphoria…
If you are looking for truly Malaysian handicraft, make sure you visit the pewter section. Celebrating the heritage of tin mining in Peninsular Malaysia, the decorative objects and collectables made of the world’s fourth most precious metal are in such high regard, only a very few selected shops in the country were granted the governmental trade license.
There are so many stunning artifacts, you can spend hours discovering new and new unique pieces! Ladies are likely to swoon over the exquisite jewelry with diamonds, sapphires and pearls. But also those looking for more affordable souvenirs will be in their element. Whether a batik art, a small wooden sculpture or home accessories with ethnic flair - you are sure to find whatever you are looking for.
turned out to be a winning strategy!
Running meanwhile numerous shops all around the island, the couple could easily engage a dedicated buyer and focus on the retail part of their business. But to them, delegating is completely out of question! And so, every two months, Angeline and Kelvin set out on a trip to tiny kampungs across the Malay Peninsula, travel to Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia or India. Visiting remote rural areas, they often get to sleep in a simple shack with no running water. But excited about the opportunity to hand-pick the best pieces of wood and watch the artisans immersed in their work skilfully turn a shapeless log into a beautiful sculpture - they happily sacrifice their own comfort.
Visiting some of the villages for nearly a decade, Angeline and Kelvin have a strong bond with the artisans. So much so, many of them work meanwhile exclusively for the couple - making sure Paradise Craft shops offer handicraft not available anywhere else. Aware of Angeline’s love for antiques, the villagers like to surprise her with rare funds they stumble upon, eagerly waiting for her eyes to sparkle with joy as she watches the unique pieces being restored to their former glory.
Winning the hearts of a few artists whose paintings are usually reserved for a small circle of collectors or simply hang in the houses of the shy solitary painters, Angeline occasionally manages to bring in truly exceptional pieces such as the batik art by Giantor from Yogyakarta or the vibrant Koi Fish paintings from the Malaccan artist, Mr. Choo Git Man.
Of course, the buying trips have their tricky part. Enchanted by the dreamy paintings and exquisite wood carvings, Angeline has occasionally a hard time to part from her favourite pieces. And so, although originally intended for sale, the Dancing Apsara, a sculpture made of black Albany wood depicting the female Hindu spirit of clouds and water, found her permanent home in the couple’s living room - reminding Angeline and Kelvin of their friendship to the meanwhile deceased Indonesian artist and his family.
A sentiment Angeline and Kelvin like to pass onto their customers! Then no matter how precious the wood and how intriguing the carvings, it’s the stories that surround the handicraft pieces that make them so unique: The miles and miles walked through the jungle until the aboriginal Orang Asli people find the red Mahogany, black Sono Kring and white Kayu Sengon wood. The fingertips sore from bending a thin slice of bamboo into a round bowl. The twenty layers of lacquer patiently applied on top of each other before a vase is ready to be put into the oven. The symbolic power of animals that inspires the artisans during their work…
Lovingly wrapped, some of the hand-made souvenirs come with a short narrative or legend. And while a little shy to speak English, if you ask, the friendly staff may add a few more details about the origins of your favourite piece. Sharing their love for handicraft with the team, Angeline and Kelvin conduct on a monthly basis training, making not only sure the Paradise Craft customers receive an excellent service but also fostering the professional growth of their employees.
The successful couple could easily choose to rest on their laurels, but Angeline and Kelvin did not forget their humble beginnings with a small foldable showcase table at the Jetty Point. Compelled to give back, they groom their people into leadership roles and fuel their entrepreneurial spirit, hoping that they own journey will serve as an inspiration. Yet another story that makes the beautiful hand-made products you will find at Paradise Craft so special…
Exquisite wood carvings, jewellery boxes adorned with a delicate nacre or egg-shell mosaics, bowls and vases made of lacquered bamboo… If you are looking for unique handicraft at affordable prices, visiting one of the PARADISE CRAFT outlets is a must!
Falling in love with handicraft while backpacking across Asia in their early twenties, Angeline Lee and her husband, Kelvin Goi, decided to follow their passion and open a handicraft shop when they settled down on the island more than 16 years ago. A rather daring undertaking at a time when Langkawi was a sleepy island with barely any tourism industry. But following their hearts
