Located about 140km south east of Jakarta is the fashionable city of Bandung. Bandung has cooler temperatures compared to the rest of the Indonesian cities as it is 768 metres above sea level. Bandung is also nicknamed Paris van Java, or Paris of Java, by the Dutch because of its luxurious hotels, restaurants, European boutiques and cafes that mushroomed in the area. What’s awesome about Bandung apart from its cool climate is its amazing shopping experience! There are many things you can find in Bandung during your trip and it’s not just clothes. Let’s take a look at what we’ve compiled for your ultimate shopping experience in Bandung.

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1. Rumah Mode

While there are tons of factory outlets in Bandung, this factory outlet is undoubtedly a must-visit. Rumah Mode (pronounced as moh-day) gives you a different shopping experience as opposed to being in malls as the place is designed like a park. There are many international brands available here such as Zara, Abercrombie & Fitch, Mango, Billabong, H&M and Gap. Credit: Aizat Rahim on Flickr Rumah Mode also houses restaurants so you won’t go hungry while shopping. It also has a reflexology centre to massage your tired feet from all the walking! There is a courtyard with water feature and statues where you can take a break from your shopping excursion. The place has an overall lovely exterior for photos too. Credit: rumahmodeofficial on Instagram Due to the popularity of this place, the queue can be long for both paying and fitting rooms! Try visiting on a weekday instead of a weekend. Credit: rumahmodeofficial on Instagram Address: Jl. Setiabudi, No. 41F, Bandung, Indonesia Opening hours: 9.30am – 9pm daily Directions:

2. Amanda Brownies

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Choco Marble brownies[/caption] Credit: Amanda Brownies Much has been said and written about this famous brand and it’s all due to the delicious-tasting brownies! The business started with its specialty product, which is steamed brownies, and the first flavour that was marketed was the original flavour. Texture-wise, the brownies are soft and light to the bite. Amanda Brownies have now evolved its flavours from tiramisu, to choco marble and sarikaya pandan. There is simply a flavour for everyone to suit even the most finicky taste buds. Credit: Amanda Brownies on Instagram Amanda Brownies also carries pastries, banana chips, cheese sticks and premium products like kek lapis and macarons. It is a big brand in Bandung and you will probably find an outlet at every other turn. For a full list of Amanda Brownies outlets, do check out their website. Website Opening hours: 7am – 9pm Address: Jalan Ir. Haji Juanda No.167, Lb. Siliwangi, Coblong, Kota Bandung Directions:

3. Floating Market Lembang

Another unique attraction for Bandung is the Floating Market Lembang. As the name suggests, the place is centred at a lake where small, floating shops are set up. Transactions at the market is done with the Floating Market’s coins, which you would have to buy with actual Indonesian rupiah. Credit: Nerissa Chandra on Flickr Credit: tpoolcell on Instagram There are other shops on land at Floating Market as well where you can find souvenirs such as kerepek and t-shirts. The place is perfect for family as there are many activities you can do apart from shopping. You can do flying fox, boat rowing, water canoe and even feed the koi fishes! Credit: devi165 on Instagram You can walk on the floating walkway to buy food at the small shops or you can get on boats too. Getting on the boat would cost you a fee but it would be interesting to shop for food from a boat, don’t you think? There are many local delicacies you can try here. If one shop still does not fill your tummy, it’s okay, just paddle on to the next shop! Credit: qianchichan on Instagram So strap on a life jacket and start shopping on a boat! Entry fee: 20,000 IDR (an entry pass entitles you to a free drink) Parking fee: 10,000 IDR Address: Jalan Grand Hotel No. 33E, Lembang, Kabupaten Bandung Barat, Jawa Barat 40391, Indonesia Directions:

4. Pasar Baru Trade Center

If you’re looking for something more traditional to bring home, look no further than Pasar Baru Trade Center. This historic market has been around since 1906 and has countless shops for you to do your shopping. Credit: poe_annabelle_lee on Instagram From textile, to snacks, Muslim clothing, jeans, bags and batik, you can find almost everything here at Pasar Baru Trade Center. For the ladies, there’s just so much for you to choose from when it comes to textiles and fabrics – from telekung to lace to kebaya! The place is crowded so it is advisable to head over early. Credit: noviliahafsah on Instagram Haggling is allowed so get the best bargain you can find. Do be careful of pickpockets and if you’re traveling with small children, keep an eye out for the kids as the place is huge (it’s 8 floors for you to explore!) and you can get lost. Credit: king.textile on Instagram Website Opening hours: 9am – 5pm Address: Jl. Otto Iskandar Dinata No.78, Kb. Jeruk, Andir, Kota Bandung, Jawa Barat 40181, Indonesia Direction:

5. Industri Sepatu Cibaduyut

If you love shoes, this is the place for you. The place is basically like a small town with many shops selling shoes and leather goods. Prices are generally reasonable and pricing differs from brand and range. Credit: okezonecom on Instagram You will be spoilt for choice as there are too many to choose from! If you have a specific shoe design in mind, this is the place for you to realise your vision. You can find shops here that take custom make order. It usually takes about a week or two for the order to be completed depending on how difficult the design is. Credit: andikareka on Instagram Just a tip, do ask the salesperson to explain to you the types and grades of leather for you to get the best value for your money. Address: Pusat Sepatu Cibaduyut, Jl. Cibaduyut Raya No. 7, Bojongloa Kidul, Kb. Lega, Bojongloa Kidul, Kota Bandung, Jawa Barat 40235, Indonesia Opening hours: 8am – 6pm daily Directions:

6. Jalan Cihampelas

This place is a haven for denim lovers. Jalan Cihampelas is also known as ‘Jeans Street’ due to the abundance of denim sold at the shops. Prices are kept affordable and there is a wide variety to choose from. Credit: fadorifadzli on Instagram The shops along this row are named after Hollywood action heroes so be prepared to see huge statues of Batman, Superman, Spiderman and even Rambo greeting you outside the shops. You’re not in a theme park, you’re just at Jalan Cihampelas. Credit: ann_espino on Flickr If you’re hungry, there are cheap places to eat along Jalan Cihampelas. While you’re at the place area, don’t miss out on the green concept shopping mall Cihampelas Walk or known as Ciwalk amongst the locals. The design of the building emphasises on an open air concept and natural atmosphere. Due to the amazing design, Ciwalk is not just another mall, it is also considered as a tourist attraction. [caption id="attachment_17649" align="alignnone" width="1080"]

Cihampelas Walk[/caption] Credit: jelajahbandung on Instagram Address: Jl. Cihampelas, Kota Bandung, Indonesia Opening hours: unavailable Directions:

7. Batik Komar

The place for all your traditional batik needs would be Batik Komar, a premium shop in Jalan Sumbawa selling beautiful pieces of hand drawn and printed batik. The brand was founded in 1998 in Bandung by a husband and wife pair, making it one of the local brands that you must check out while in town. Credit: batikkomar on Instagram Not all batik pieces are the same as there are many regions and districts in Indonesia, hence, the print on the batik piece is usually exclusive to the place where it is made from. To the untrained eyes, a batik piece from Solo may look the same to the batik from Bandung, but a closer inspection on the motives or prints will tell you the actual origin of the batik. Credit: batikkomar on Instagram Batik Komar started off with the Cirebonese design (referring to a place just outside of Bandung called Cirebon) but the designs have been updated with more modern and contemporary look. If you’re interested to see how batik painting is done, do visit Batik Komar’s workshop in the Cigadung area. Credit: batikkomar on Instagram Address: 40133 Jl. Sumbawa No. 22, Bandung West Java, Merdeka, Sumur Bandung, Bandung City, West Java 40117, Indonesia Opening hours: Unavailable Directions: Bandung is beautiful place to visit with its cool weather and colonial remnants from the Dutch occupation. It lives up to its moniker, Paris van Java, as it is an excellent shopping spot in South East Asia just like its namesake Paris, for Europe. An icing on the cake would be that Bandung is also a great hunting ground for bargains. So load up on the rupiah girls and boys, and shop till you drop in Bandung!

7 Best Shopping Places In Bandung You Shouldn’t Miss