what to buy in bandung..

Fashion shopping and its accessories is the main reason for many weekend travellers from around the world, because those items are expensive in another part of the world. Starting with denim (jeans) stores along Jln. Cihampelas in the 90s with unique facades to attract people, fashion stores grow rapidly into sisa exports (rejected export products), then factory outlets, now with the new trend is the distro (distribution outlets).

Handicraft and Souvenirs
Wayang Golek is a Sundanese puppet show. Unlike Javanese wayang puppet, wayang golek is made from wood. Find wayang golek at Galeri Cupumanik, Jl. Haji Umar.

Angklung is a Sundanese ethnical music instrument (see at See section).

Leather handicraft, that includes shoes, bags and other accessories. A well-known local shoe handicrafts are centered in Cibaduyut area. The Elizabeth bag maker is famous and it is located at Jl. Otto Iskandar Dinata 520, Tel. (+62)-022-5201125.

Jean street, which is Jl. Cihampelas. A lot of denim shops decorated with funky designs. Do not be surprised to see giant models of Superman, Goku, Rambo and others, standing guard over the shops.

Souvenir Shop, in Jl. Cihampelas no.39.Tel.(+62)-022-4205427. Very good quality and inexpensive local souvenirs. The shop is hosted in a lovely old Dutch colonial style.

Shopping Malls

Alun-alun/Centre of the city. In the alun-alun area there are many shopping malls, but they are rather old.
Cihampelas Walk (Ciwalk), Jl. Cihampelas. Website: Cihampelas Walk. Shopping, dining and hanging out in a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.
Bandung Electronic Center (BEC), Jl. Purnawarman 13-15. Specializing in computers and cellphone.
Bandung Indah Plaza (BIP), Jl. Merdeka 56. Food court, cinema.
Bandung Supermall (BSM), Jl. Gatot Subroto 289. Food court, cinema.
Bandung Trade Center, Jl. Terusan Pasteur 143. Food Court.
Braga City Walk, Jl. Braga. Website: Braga City Walk. Shopping complex at the heart of the famous Braga Street.

Istana Plaza, Jl. Pasirkaliki 121 - 123. Website: Istana Plaza. Free wireless internet, assisted taxi stand, cinema, shopping reward programs, and ice skating ring.
Kings Shopping Center 1 & 2, Jl. Kepatihan. Food court, fashion, cinema.
Setrasari Plaza, Jl. Surya Sumantri 120. Food court. Near universities.

Paris Van Java Mall, Jl Sukajadi. Offers you the quite attractive atmosphere, a mix and match environment between outdoor and indoor mall. From Carrefour, a mega supermarket to Gramedia, a giant bookstore, from cafe to bistro, from a simple shop on the island of the mall to the high class clothes store such as MNG and ESPRIT can be found here.
Kepatihan Plaza, Jl. Kepatihan. Fashion, Supermarket and Food Court.

Istana Building Commodities Center, Jl. Jendral Ahmad Yani. Building materials, electronics, computers.
Bandung Electronic Mall, Jl. Naripan. Electronics, Computers, Cellphones and Food Court.
Planet Dago, Jl. Ir. H. Juanda. Cellphones, Bowling Court.
Plaza Dago, Jl. Ir. H. Juanda. Fashion, Ice Skate Court, Food Court.
Metro Indah Mall, (former Metro Trade Center) Kompleks MTC Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 590, Tel. (62)(22) 7538448, 7537577.
Mall Lingkar Selatan, Jl. Peta. Supermarket, Food Court.

Jatinangor Town Square, The complete shopping mall in eastern Bandung.
Plaza Pajajaran, Jl. Raya Jatinangor.
Cimahi Mall, Jl. Gandawijaya. The first shopping mall in Cimahi.
Mall IITC Kopo, Jl. Kopo. Cellphones and Food Court.
Bandung Trade Mall, Jl. Kiaracondong.
Lucky Square, Jl. Terusan Jakarta.
Plaza Cimahi, The newest shopping mall in Cimahi located at Jl. Raya Cibabat. [edit] Factory Outlets

Sisa Export

In the textile industry, it is very common for a textile product made in, for example Indonesia, exported to other countries, such as Singapore, South Korea, etc., and re-labeled by their own label and change the made-in tag into their country. Some branded names, such as GAP, have their factories in Indonesia. Since the production costs in Indonesia are very low, they can gain a big profit by this way.

During the quality inspection, some of the products might be rejected, or they may overrun the production quota. These residual products are sold with sisa export tags, because they were made for export, but couldn't pass through. Some of these items have Grade A (best quality, but overrun product) or Grade B (export quality, but do not pass QC) qualities. Don't be surprised to see made in Korea or made in Singapore in their tags. Sometimes you will see the original price, such as USD$65, but they sell it for Rp. 45.000,00 (US$ 4.50).

Enjoy bargain hunting! Take a careful inspection yourself. Check for below-standard/damaged items. Beware also for the fake products with branded name. It was originally meant for export garment (textile) factories that open a store directly in their area so that they can sell with bargain prices. Since it was a big success, many factory outlets without the factory itself were opening in many places in the city, also with bargain price tags. To attract people, they decorated the store with many styles: the colonial style, an old Chinese dynasty, etc. Some stores even have a small food court.

Most of factory outlets are concentrated in Jl. Riau, Jl. Dago (Jl. Ir. H. Juanda) and around Jl.Sukajadi-Jl.Setiabudi area. Some of them are listed below:

Factory outlets in Jl. Riau: Heritage (inside an old historical building, nice to see also the building), Cascade, Summit, Oasis, Metropolitan, Renarity, Secret, Terminal Tas, Edward Forrer, Stamp.

Factory outlets in Jl. Dago: Rich & Famous, Coconel, Glamour, Blossom, Uptown (with a small kiosk selling a strawberry juice), Dago Stock Centre, M&M, Justine.

Around Jl.Sukajadi-Jl.Setiabudi: Rumah Mode (Jl. Setiabudi 41F), Diaz (Jl. Sederhana mostly shoes).

Other places: Batian (Jl. Otto Iskandardinata 535, you can find used and new items), Stock Center (Jl. Sukarno Hatta), Cargo (Jl. Diponegoro), Cosmo (Jl. Pelajar Pejuang 45), The Big Price Cut (The first factory outlet in Bandung) (Jl. Aceh)

Distros (Distribution Outlets)

Distros are a new phenomenon in Bandung and in the whole world where a shop sells stylish products that were made by local designers. They are served as a distribution store, because these local designers do not have their own marketing label yet. The products that are sold are books, indie label records, magazines and also other fashion products and accessories. After their products receive large attention, then they make their own clothing company. Now, there are more than 200 local brand names in Bandung. One thing that makes distros stand out from factory outlet is that distros come from individual designers and young entrepeneurs, while factory outlet products come from a garment factory.

Note that now distros are getting famous in Indonesia. The local branded name with free and independent motivation has been shifted. Be careful when buying in distros as the prices are increasing to a level almost the same as at boutique shops.

Some of Bandung distros: EAT347, Jl. Trunojoyo 4, Invictus,Jl.Pager gunung 13 and Jl.Trunojoyo 6, Ouval Research, Jl. Buah Batu 64, No Label, Jl. Sumatra 24, Blackjack, Jl. Trunojoyo, Screamous, Jl. Trunojoyo, Badger, Jl. Trunojoyo, Airplane, Jl. Sultan Agung, Cosmic, Jl. Trunojoyo, Green Light, Bandung Indah Plaza Lt. 2 and Jl. Buah Batu, Temple, Jl. Dipatiukur, Skaters, Bandung Indah Plaza Lt. 2, Jl. Cihampelas and Jl. Raya Lembang, Black ID, Jl. Lombok and Paris Van Java Mall.