Where to shop ?
I'm sure shopping is one thing that you will not miss while on vacation, even for people who don't like shopping. I'm not a kind of shopaholic person but living in a city such Balikpapan -no matter how hard I try to avoid- still tempted me to explore various shopping experience offered here.
As a port city with high trading traffic, Balikpapan establish rapidly as a trade center in east coast of Borneo island. Many commodity from other province in nation or even around the world available here. From high-end branded item to local value product, all of these can found easily at many shopping center downtown.
So....enough wasting time, lets just start answer the question, where to shop?
Like any other modern city, Balikpapan have some air-conditioned shopping Mall and bustling traditional Market. Lets start with the most known place to shop.
Balikpapan Plaza is the first known shopping mall that ever built in this city. Located at the center of downtown, Klandasan area, this mall can easily access by any public transportation. Various product from fashion, electronic, books, toys, accessories offered here. Food lovers will enjoy visiting this mall coz' many food stand available here.
At the north part of the city you may find another shopping mall, Rapak Plaza. Known for its best value product and cheap clothing. Perfect for shoppers with limited budget. It is located at crowded district of Balikpapan, Rapak area.
Other shopping mall that you should visit is Fantasi Mall. It is located at Balikpapan Baru estate. This eye catchy mall offer quality fashion, optical goods, jewellery and many more products. Children will enjoy their time visit this mall coz it has great children playground facilities such as Amazone and Fantasi playground.
Beside shopping mall, Balikpapan also have some bustling markets that offer best bargained product. One of the market is the famous Kebun Sayur Shopping Center. This market sell various jewellery, gemstone, Borneo arts and antique. It is located at Kebun Sayur area, west part of Balikpapan city. Many visitors come to this market to find souvenir before they leave Balikpapan. It's a must visit market for all tourist and visitors!
Other market that offered bargained product are Blauran Market at Klandasan area and Balikpapan Permai Market. Besides those shopping mall and market that I've mention above, Balikpapan still have many hidden shopping spots to explore and as I always said, during to the rapid growth of Balikpapan, more and more shopping center are build.
Gemstones Jewellery
Still yet to come are PABAS (Pasar Baru Square), BSB (Balikpapan Super Block) and Kebun Sayur Plaza. To get the latest update of shopping spots in Balikpapan, please subscribe to my monthly newsletter -Balikpapan City Newsletter (BCN)- so you will not miss a thing.
Here are some tips to shop around at Balikpapan. Be a smart shopper...