I am currently on vacation in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.  Petaling Jaya or PJ for short, is a city about 7 miles from Kuala Lumpur.  It was initially built as a satellite city to the country’s capital of Kuala Lumpur way back in the 1950’s.  But since then, Petaling Jaya has become a bustling city in its own right, with major corporations, financial institutions, schools, residential homes, condominiums, hotels, factories and an efficient transport system.

Due to its close viscinity to Kuala Lumpur, you can stay in KL and make a day trip to PJ to enjoy its many attractions.  The most convenient way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Petaling Jaya is by the Light Rail Transit (LRT).  It is safe, cheap and reliable.  Alternatively, you can take a taxi.  Of course, this is a more expensive option but it’s worth it if it’s only for a day trip.

One of Petaling Jaya’s most popular attractions is the Sunway Pyramid shopping mall located in Bandar Sunway, a suburb of PJ.  Its unique frontage is a magnificent lion’s head and pyramid shaped structure.

Sunway Pyramid shopping mall in Petaling Jaya

Inside Sunway Pyramid is a myriad of shops, restaurants, entertainment and sporting centers, such as the Sunway ice skating ring…

Ice Skating in Sunway Pyramid

Jackie Chan has his gym and fitness center here, too….

The Jackie Chan gym and fitness center

You wouldn’t wanna miss Sunway Lagoon, a gigantic theme park with both wet and dry rides and activities just next to Sunway Pyramid (your kids will never forgive you if you do!)

The exciting Sunway Lagoon Theme Park

Besides Sunway Pyramid, there are many mega malls in Petaling Jaya with loads of shops, cinemas, restaurants and activities.  Among the most frequented shopping centers are One Utama shopping mall, Ikano Power Center, Tesco (a hypermarket), the Curve shopping mall, Cineleisure Damansara (a shopping mall with many cineplexes inside) and Courts Megastore.  All these massive shopping centers are built in a huge area almost within walking distance of each other in Bandar Utama area, another suburb of Petaling Jaya.

Ikano Power Center with IKEA as its anchor tenant

Inside IKEA at Ikano Power Center

As you know, IKEA of Sweden is a world-renowned furniture maker specializing in DIY furniture.  Although you may not be able to buy its excellent but large furniture items, you may still pop in to buy some of its high-quality smaller items, home decorations and ornaments.  So come to Petaling Jaya and visit Ikano Power Center especially if there is no IKEA in your home country.  Besides IKEA, there are lots and lots of other things to see and buy in Ikano Power Center.

Read more about where to shop for affordably priced goods in my page AFFORDABLE PRODUCTS IN MALAYSIA.

Courts Megastore in Petaling Jaya

Courts Megastore is another well-known shopping mall for reasonably priced furniture items, among lots of other things.

Other fantastic shopping centers in Petaling Jaya are Centrepoint mall (also in Bandar Utama) and Jaya 33 (in Section 14).  Besides these, there are many busy areas filled with shops and offices such as Damansara Uptown and PJ New Town.

Besides shopping at mega malls, many tourists also like to visit the night markets for bargain buys.  Petaling Jaya has two night markets in the SS2 area, one on Monday and the other on Thursday nights starting at around 6.30pm.  Read more in my page AFFORDABLE PRODUCTS IN MALAYSIA.

But as in any other crowded place, be careful when you are shopping in such places.  Read my page PRECAUTIONS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL TRAVELER.

A Night Market in Petaling Jaya

Now is the best time to visit Malaysia, especially Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya because of all the year end sales going on!  Even branded goods are going at unbelievably cheap prices.

Even brands like Padini and Seed are going at 70% off

As for food, there is no shortage of places to eat in Petaling Jaya offering lots of local and international dishes.

Food stalls like these are many in Petaling Jaya

Truly Petaling Jaya is a paradise of excitement with lots of shopping, food and fun activities for everyone.