What are the best Malaysian souvenirs to buy as gifts? 

Malaysia, well-known as a paradise for shopaholics, offers a varied and extensive shopping experience for discerning visitors. It is not unusual for them to look for traditional local souvenirs as mementoes of their visit or as gifts for near and dear ones. Find below some of the captivating souvenirs that showcase the craftsmanship and talent of artisans while offering a glimpse of the allure of Malaysia to visitors.

Malaysian Batik

Batik uses the technique of adding designs to a plain cloth using a wax and dye method. The vibrant colours and the designs used can transform an ordinary cloth into a beautiful piece of clothing, like a dress, blouse, shirt or skirt, to make the wearer stand out amidst a crowd. Hence, batik garments or paintings are sought-after souvenirs.

The designs used for batiks include multiple patterns and geometric (like spirals) or floral designs (with flowers and leaves), maintaining a local identity. These creative designs are block printed or hand-drawn using a metal object with meticulous care. Hence, each piece carries a labour of love.

Shopping for Batik items for loved ones and own indulgence is one of the most interesting things to do in Sepang for many visitors. Hence, properties like Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort even have a Batik shop in-house, for the convenience of their guests.

Pearls

Pearls in Malaysia come in two types. Freshwater pearls and Saltwater pearls. Both types make beautiful pieces of jewellery to adorn the wearer like ear studs, ear drops, single or double strand necklaces, bracelets, pearl-studded rings and more. These beautiful pieces are loved by most females.

The shape and size of these two types of pearls vary as they are cultivated differently. Freshwater pearls come in a variety of shapes, like oval, round, and baroque, while saltwater pearls are more round and larger than freshwater ones. Saltwater pearls are shinier and carry more lustre than freshwater pearls, the choice depends on the buyer. If you are buying pearls as a gift, go to a reputable shop so that you can buy genuine ones.

Tropical Fruit Chocolates

Malaysia boasts a range of tropical fruit chocolates that make delightful gifts for all ages. These chocolates come in dark, milk or white chocolate form with tropical fruit flavours of the nation like durian (considered the king of fruits in Southeast Asia), mangosteen, golden berries, rambutan and passion fruit, to name a few. These are creatively packed and presented, making them thoughtful gifts for your loved ones.

Sarawak Layer Cake

Just as the name implies, this is a layered cake, but the uniqueness of this layered cake is not only its moist and creamy goodness but also the colours and patterns created with the layers. These cakes are a beautiful sight to behold, making them special gifts from Malaysia.

They are flavoured with local spices like clove, cinnamon and cardamom and star anise, giving it a rich taste. Variations are done using raisins, chocolate, and fruits. These cakes are tastefully packed in various sizes, offering a wide selection and are available all over Malaysia.

Beautiful Pewterware

Being among the top 10 metal producers in the world, it is not surprising that Malaysia has a rich heritage in the metalworking industry.  Pewter is made of tin, copper and antimony and products made of pewter are practical as well as decorative.

Pewtersmiths are highly valued in Malaysia for the meticulous craft they turn out, such as decorative items like vases, coffee and beer mugs, photo frames, and practical items like cigarette cases, letter openers and spice containers. What is unique is that traditional Malaysian symbols and themes are used to embellish them, making the products carry a unique Malaysian identity.