The Exchange TRX is a hypermodern shopping center just outside the center of Kuala Lumpur, but still within walking distance of the popular tourist district of Bukit Bintang. It’s part of the new Tun Razak Exchange business hub, which is set to grow into a huge urban center, with the shopping mall and the Exchange 106 Tower at its core, surrounded by several office and residential towers.
The Exchange TRX is comparable in luxury to other popular malls like Pavilion, The Gardens (two of our favorites), and Suria KLCC. It mainly features ultra-luxury brands, mixed with many familiar international names. TRX is now one of our favorite shopping centers — and thanks to its strategic location, it’s definitely worth a visit, even if shopping isn’t really your thing.
The massive TRX City Park on the roof is also unique, with fun areas for kids, like a playground and a water play zone. There are also many F&B outlets with great food and drinks, along with several very popular restaurants inside the mall.
A common criticism is that most shopping centers tend to have the same shops — and that’s somewhat true here too. Every year, another mega-mall opens in KL, while the older malls remain just as busy. But that doesn’t seem to be a problem — The Exchange TRX has been packed every day since it opened, and we don’t see that changing anytime soon. That’s mainly because TRX is Kuala Lumpur’s new business hub. The massive tower houses dozens of multinationals, and all those employees need places to eat, shop, and hang out. That’s exactly the target audience for this mall. Plus, it’s practically located on two of the city’s busiest MRT lines, so even if you’re not working there, it’s super easy to stop by for a bite, a drink, or some retail therapy.
The Exchange TRX really takes the luxury shopping mall experience to the next level. Sure, you’ll find the usual luxury brands in beautifully decorated stores, but what really stands out is the spacious layout, brilliant modern design, premium materials, and the abundance of comfortable seating areas — some with cozy lounge chairs and sleek marble floors. Everything about this place screams luxury.
Famous and lesser-known brands
The centerpiece is Seibu, a Japanese department store focused on luxury products. Downstairs, there’s a Food Market with exceptionally high-quality goods. Prices are high, of course, but we were still amazed.
Naturally, a high-end mall like The Exchange TRX has all the exclusive brands — Armani, Boss, Burberry, Alexander McQueen, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Kenzo, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and many more. These stores are mainly located on the ground floor in prime spots.
If you’re into these ultra-luxury brands, this is the place to be.
You’ll also find a Dyson store, phone brands like Samsung, Honor, and Xiaomi, a big Apple Flagship Store, several high-end jewelry and watch shops, a large Muji, several drugstores and pharmacies, and more familiar brands like Dockers, Lululemon, Onitsuka Tiger (great sneakers), Tommy Hilfiger, H&M, Uniqlo, The North Face, Under Armour, and Mango.
There’s also a big MPH Bookstore, but to be honest, it doesn’t quite match the beautiful Kinokuniya in Suria KLCC.
TRX City Park
You’ll find TRX City Park on the third floor — a huge rooftop park. There are a few restaurants with outdoor terraces where you can relax with a meal or a drink in the open air.
Kids are well catered for, with the Play City playground and a kids’ water play area right next to it. There are showers and changing rooms, and there’s even a small climbing park called Play Cave. If you’re heading directly to the park, it’s best to take a Grab to the main entrance of the Exchange 106 building — it’s closest to the stairs leading up to the park.
There are also walking paths and some quieter garden areas with ponds for a bit of peace and quiet. The whole place is beautifully landscaped with plants and flowers that give it that distinct Malaysian touch. It’s a modern park, but it still feels refreshing and offers something different from the typical shopping center experience.
Around holidays and special occasions, there’s an event area, and you’ll also find fun Malaysian-style kids’ attractions, like mini electric cars that kids can ride around in.
Delicious food and drinks
The Exchange TRX is trendy, modern, and everything there is brand new. It’s fun to try out new places, even though many of the restaurants also exist elsewhere. That said, newly opened restaurants often have great service and better food quality, as they’re still building their reputation.
Some great dining spots in TRX include Absolute Thai, Torii Teppanyaki, Shake Shack (amazing burgers), Quivo, Madam Kwan’s, and Empire Sushi (take-away).
There’s also a basement food court called Food Exchange, featuring about 30 restaurants surrounding a spacious hall filled with tables and chairs, plus some cozy seating corners. Everything is set up to feel spacious and luxurious. It’s a bit sterile and brightly lit, but that also makes it feel clean and modern. Food-wise, expect Char Koay Teow, Chili Pan Mee, Chicken Rice, Nasi Padang, Yong Tau Foo, Nasi Kandar, and more — pretty much the same stuff you’d find at Pavilion’s Food Republic (but equally delicious).
There are several coffee spots in TRX too. We had a great drink at Reborn Coffee on the second floor and later at Eight Ounce Coffee on the first floor. You can grab a good takeaway coffee at ZUS Coffee. For pastries and snacks, Paris Baguette (a popular South Korean chain) is excellent. You’ll also find amazing treats at Seibu’s Food Market — the Japanese cream puffs are especially good!
Snack lovers can visit familiar favorites like Dunkin’ Donuts, Famous Amos, Garrett Popcorn, Street Churros, and Ben’s Cookies. On weekends, expect long queues — Malaysians love their sweets. Kenny Hills Bakers, which we’ve loved for years, also has a branch here now. We used to visit their original spot for the most amazing sandwiches.
Downstairs, there’s a large Mercato supermarket, open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. There’s also one at Pavilion, and it was our go-to when we lived in KL — especially for imported European products we really missed. The range of luxury goods here is massive, but so are the prices.
What else is there to do?
The Aurum Theatre here is something special — there are only three in Malaysia (The Gardens, TRX, and one in Johor Bahru). The TRX location is even bigger and more luxurious than the one in The Gardens. You’ll see it when you reach the third floor — the design is stunning. The most expensive tickets cost around RM150 per person, which is pretty steep for the average Malaysian. Luckily, there are also standard cinema options with regular pricing.
Where to stay near TRX
Since The Exchange TRX is so well-connected (by MRT or Grab), you don’t have to stay nearby — but there are lots of great accommodations in the area. And once the residential towers in the TRX complex are fully open, there’ll be even more. We’d definitely consider staying in an apartment above the mall at some point.
Ideally, try to stay somewhere between Bukit Bintang and The Exchange TRX. Behind Pavilion, Fahrenheit88, and The Starhill (all in Bukit Bintang), you’ll find plenty of affordable 2–4 star hotels and hostels. Pro tip: always try to stay near a MRT station, especially along the Kajang Line or Putrajaya Line, both of which stop at The Exchange TRX.
Opening Hours
- The Exchange TRX is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- TRX City Park is open daily from 7:00 a.m.
- Restaurants on the second floor stay open until 1:00 a.m.
These long hours make sense, considering TRX is a major business center with early arrivals and late departures.
How to get there?
The Exchange TRX is located above the Tun Razak Exchange metro station, where both the green Kajang metro line and the yellow Putrajaya metro line stop. The green KGL Kajang line connects to Bukit Bintang, Merdeka, and Pasar Seni, among others, where you can switch to the metro for KL Sentral.
Of course, you can also take a Grab, but be aware that it can sometimes take a while to arrive—especially around closing time or during heavy rain. There are several designated e-hailing spots around the massive complex.
You can also walk to TRX in about 10 minutes from Bukit Bintang. The easiest way is to take Jalan Gading, located between The Starhill and Fahrenheit88 (opposite Pavilion), or exit Fahrenheit88 through the back. On the way, you’ll pass a few hotels and the nice Plan B TRX (a great restaurant chain) before reaching the huge TRX site, which begins with Raintree Plaza TRX—a large park right in front of the shopping center entrance. It wouldn’t surprise us if an indoor (air-conditioned) pedestrian bridge is eventually built from Bukit Bintang to TRX.
Tips
- The Exchange TRX has 10 eyewear stores, with Focus Point, OWL Eyewear, and OWNDAYS standing out. We’ve had years of experience with the first, and recently tested the other two when I needed a new pair of glasses.
- If you’re traveling with small children, consider visiting TRX City Park and the kids’ attractions early in the day—it’s quieter and also much cooler. The park opens at 7 a.m. daily, and you can enjoy a nice breakfast or brunch afterwards (Kenny Hills Bakery is a great option).
- If you’re going to the park with kids, make sure to bring sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and, if possible, a UV-protective swim shirt. There are changing rooms available.
- The shopping center gets extremely busy on weekends. If you can, try to visit during the week. Lunchtime starts around 12:00, and it’s usually quite packed at the food spots.
- Like most other shopping centers in KL, The Exchange TRX goes all out with festive decorations. During Christmas, for example, the whole mall is wrapped in holiday cheer, with a Christmas tree every 15 meters and festive music everywhere (don’t be surprised if this starts in October!). Around Chinese New Year, they pull out all the stops—everything is themed for the celebration. During the Year of the Dragon, which began on February 10, 2024, the entire mall was decorated accordingly (decorations start right after Christmas).
- On the ground floor, you’ll find a premium toilet that costs RM5 per visit—definitely worth it!
- The TREC nightlife area is within walking distance of the Tun Razak Exchange metro station. You’ll find several clubs there where people party until the early hours of the morning.
- Check out the official website of The Exchange TRX here.
Suggestions?
Got any good tips to share with us? Do you know of any great things to do in Kuala Lumpur, or tips on the best places to eat? Let us know by leaving a reply below or join our private Facebook Group Friends of Malaysia.
