PSA to those who don’t already know: travelling to JB just got way easier since the easing of restrictions. And for all who are planning a visit over, don’t limit yourself to the same usual spots. Instead, schedule a day-trip down to Paradigm Mall, where there’s heaps of food, shopping and entertainment for you and the gang to check out.
From catching blockbuster movies at less than S$5 and scoring Xiaomi products at a lower price, to feasting on Penang delicacies, here’s what you can expect at the mall:
The current exchange rate is S$1 = ~RM3.27 as of 4th October 2024.
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Kids are welcome to scale the walls too.
Fitspo peeps can squeeze in a lil’ workout, even when at the mall. Check out Camp5 Climbing Gym at Level 7 for a climbing sesh with your pals. First-timers can sign up for the Try Climbing 1-hour guided session for RM55/pax. This also includes the required gear such as shoes and harnesses, so you’re all covered to start your journey.
For those with experience, get the 1-day pass for just RM31.50/pax when you enter on weekdays before 4pm. If you can’t make it for the off-peak timing, you can still get the day-pass at an affordable fee of RM42.
Whether you prefer high walls or boulder walls, this gym has both options to cater to your preference. Their high walls are 15m tall, so you can climb to the top and peer down at the shoppers walking pass.
When you’re done scaling the walls and conquering the routes, you can freshen up and take a hot shower there. Then, grab a bite at their in-house cafe to refuel and reward yourself after a good climb.
Experience winter and channel your inner Michelle Kwan at the Blue Ice Skating Rink at Level 3, where you can stun your friends and family with your moves at the 45m x 25m large rink.
A single entry pass for a 2-hour session is priced at only RM40. Or, score discounted ticket prices when you purchase your passes via Klook. The entry pass price includes skate rental.
Skate rental is FOC.
Before heading into the rink, you’ll need to gear up with socks, gloves and skates. You can either bring them from home, or purchase a pair of socks or gloves for RM7 each. You can deposit your belongings in the complimentary lockers for safekeeping.
You’ll also get a safety briefing and quick tutorial from the staff, where you’ll be taught how to balance on your skates, move forward and stop. Of course, this crash-course won’t prevent you from falling on your butt when skating but hey, that’s all part of the experience.
Image credit: Utopia Jungle World via Facebook
It’s all fun and games for us adults until the kids get bored and fussy. Before you break out the iPad and bust out some CocoMelon tunes, consider bringing the kiddos along to Utopia Jungle World Children’s Theme Park instead.
Children can let loose and have fun in the giant ball pit, where they can dive in and disappear into the pool of plastic balls. There are slides and mini obstacle courses too, perfect for a game of hide-and-seek or catching.
Image credit: Jom Travel Local
Then, let them have a taste of what it’s like to manoeuvre a car at the bumper cars section. Kids can ride solo or choose to cruise around with an accompanying parent. The bumper cars are wrapped in thick cushioning, so there won’t be any harsh crashes – just boops from the surrounding cars.
If you’ve been frantically bookmarking upcoming movie releases, consider catching them at Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) from just RM15. The place boasts 16 movie halls, making it one of the largest cinemas in JB.
Image credit: Golden Screen Cinemas via Facebook
To get to the cinema, head up to Level 7 and you’ll see the huge GSC logo on the right of the escalator. You can choose to pre-book your tickets on the GSC website, or make your purchase in-person at the counters. Show timings are aplenty, and you can opt for late night shows too starting from as late as 11:55pm.
Image credit: Golden Screen Cinemas via Facebook
Now comes the plot twist – GSC also has theatres that use 4DX technology to create 4D snow, bubble, and rain effects. Be prepared to be drenched in suspense as these effects will surely immerse you in the alternate reality of your shows.
90s kids will remember heading to Timezone arcades after school to blow off some steam and hang out with friends. While the games have expanded and upgraded, classic games like Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) will always have a special place in our hearts.
You’ll be glad to know that Fun Scape has the same old-school favourites including DDR, where you can show off some fancy footwork while dancing to hit tunes. Other games include air hockey, car racing booths, a street basketball machine to shoot hoops at and even claw machines for the kiddos.
When we visited the place on a Wednesday afternoon, it was pretty empty so we didn’t experience long queues. While there isn’t an official token price chart, you can head over to the counter to enquire about the current rates.
Image credit: Paradigm Mall
Shopping is one of the mandatory activities in JB, with the favourable exchange rate making things even more affordable than it already is. One shop that’s a must-visit would be Uniqlo, where guys and gals can stock up on everyday essentials.
Get the “Singapore guy” starter pack at a cheaper price.
Image credit: Uniqlo
We scored sling bags and t-shirts at ~S$4 less than what would be in Singapore. Price differences between JB and SG were as big as S$11 thanks to the exchange rate.
Also, different Uniqlo outlets have different ongoing sales, so be sure to look out for items with the red sticker as those have been further marked down from the original price.
Image credit: Xiaomi Paradigm Mall via Facebook
Tech gadgets can be expensive, with phone prices starting from 3-digit numbers onwards and even hitting the thousands. Instead of shopping at the Singapore Xiaomi Store, shop smart and take advantage of the exchange rate in JB and get them at a lower cost.
Image adapted from: @hieuhoc94, @mihome.st2004, @cozy.abode_85 via Instagram
Located at Level 3, the newly opened Xiaomi Store houses a ton of products from smart home devices, mobile phones and tablets to wearable products including their Redmi watches that will make tech-fans drool.
Image credit: iHospital via Facebook
But if you’re shopping on a budget and prefer to purchase a second-hand phone instead, there’s also iHospital at Level 4 which buys and sells new and used phones. They regularly update their Facebook page, where product information including battery health is shared on their posts.
Image credit: Paradigm Mall
There’s nothing us Singaporeans love more than a good deal. Whether you’re looking for loungewear, casual fits or work attire, Brands Outlet at Level 1 has a wide range of garments you can browse through.
Image credit: Brands Outlet via Facebook
You can also find affordable undergarments and accessories to complete your look. The store constantly refreshes its racks with collaborations with different brands and franchises, such as the Disney and Warner Bros. collections. Even if the current collab isn’t your cup of tea, the shop runs promotions and sales frequently so it’s still worth popping by.
Our home is our sanctuary, and the place we spend most of our time at. The way your place is furnished not only reflects your personality, it can also affect your mood depending on the vibes and decorations you go with.
Image credit: Kaison via Facebook
You don’t have to spend a bomb hiring interior designers or getting boujee decor from name brands to decorate your home. Simply create a mood board of how you’d picture your place to look like, and curate items from shops like Kaison that offer a variety of home decor pieces.
Image credit: Paradigm Mall
You can find the shop at Level 4, where you’ll be greeted with rows and rows of soft toys – nab some to line your bed and create a mini collection of your own. There’s also towels for your bathroom or kitchen, framed paintings to hang on the hallways and bed sheets that’ll make your bed look even more welcoming.
Image credit: Agnes Ng via Google Maps
All the way from Thailand is Jelly Bunny, a fashion brand known for their chic range of shoes, clothes, accessories, and bags that are perfect for that Y2K or soft girl look. They even have a kids collection for you and your mini-me to get matching fits – great for occasions like CNY or even Hari Raya.
To make your trip extra worth it, make sure you cop something from their Malaysia-exclusive collection like their Dawood Handle Bag Blue (RM 270), a must-have for your ever-growing bag collection. It’s a great pair with any Y2K-inspired outfit, plus roomy enough to carry all your daily barang.
Image credit: Lavender Bakery
Those who frequent Jewel Changi might recognise Lavender Bakery located at Level 4 of Paradigm Mall. If you haven’t had a chance to taste these buns in Singapore, get them here in their OG motherland and you might just get hooked to their fresh bakes.
Visit the bakery and dabao some back to SG.
Image credit: @mihaanamofficial via Instagram
Besides purchasing their individual buns, you can choose to get their bun sets for RM23 that come with an assortment of bread and pastries, including Chicken Sausage Bun, Egg Tarts and Otak Cheese.
When A&W first returned to our shores, snaking queues formed at the entrance of the eatery and you’d have to wait a good 20 minutes or more just to get a seat. Even now, the hype for this all-American meal is still going strong, so it’s common to have to queue before heading in.
Image credit: @sparrow_tweets via Instagram
Skip the lines and get your fast food fix at Paradigm Mall instead, where you can find A&W at Level 3. Get the classic Chicken Coney at RM11.90 or something more substantial like the Mozzarella Burger at RM14.50.
You won’t have to travel to Penang just for their famed Assam Laksa and Chendol when they’re available at the mall at Penang Chendul at Level 4. What’s more, prices are pretty affordable here so you won’t have to foot a hefty bill for an authentic Malaysian culinary experience.
For mains, we tried out the tangy flavoured Assam Laksa priced at RM14.70 and the Pandan Nasi Lemak Chicken Kunyit at RM17.90. For dessert, we got a bowl of the classic Original Chendul for RM8.40 to share. Expect a generous serving of red beans, green jellies, coconut milk and the star of the show, gula melaka.
Milk tea, tom yam soup and mango sticky rice – if you’re itching for a taste of Thailand, satisfy your cravings at Amphawa Thai Tea & Co. located at Level 4.
Image credit: @andrewchan032 via Instagram
Milk teas go at RM9.90 and you can choose between hot or cold variations. Besides the classic Thai milk tea, the place also has an Ovaltine-flavoured one and a Thai coffee version for the adventurous souls.
Image credit: @nelly.eats via Instagram
Pair your drink with a hearty bowl of Seafood Tomyum With Noodle (RM15.90) and finish off your meal with the quintessential Thai dessert – Mango Sticky Rice (RM13.90).
Chocolate lovers, prepare to be spoiled for choice at dipndip, a dessert haven that has over 30 chocolatey treats to choose from. Signature chocolate items they are known for include the triple chocolate crepe (RM 27.39) and waffle stick (RM17.05). Apart from desserts, they also serve savory delights like chicken waffle quesadillas (RM31.90)
Extra large Dip N Share Box that contains waffle bites, mini pancakes, brownies, crepe rolls, cream puffs, strawberries, pineapples with speculoos spread, white chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate dip.
Image credit: @dipndipmalaysia via Instagram
And if you can’t decide on just one item to get, try a bit of everything with their extra large Dip N Share Box for RM152.90. While perfect for sharing, we won’t judge if you devour it yourself.
Paradigm mall is a 30-minute drive from Woodlands Checkpoint and Tuas Checkpoint, and you can also hire their private chauffeur service from SG to the mall and back, at RM90/trip. To arrange, you can WhatsApp them at +6011 5958 5868.
Image credit: @travelliciouz via Instagram
Your trip to JB doesn’t have to involve travelling to several places for food, shopping and entertainment. Paradigm Mall is a 3-in-1 location where the above categories can all be checked off.
Photography by Alvin Wong.
Last updated by Ariel Soh, Shannon Lee on 4th October 2024.
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