Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - More about Chinatown

I have been to Singapore's Chinatown but the atmosphere there is different than Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown. The Singapore version seems orderly, clean and somewhat man-made due to government planning and gentrification. However, the Kuala Lumpur version developed naturally over the years by the local Chinese community with little government intervention. Thus, Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown is a bit more Chinese and a 'lively chaos'. Well, this is my view and others may think differently.

The best time to go to Chinatown is during the evening when it is cooler but gets even more crowded as well as livelier. There are both street stalls and shops but the stalls tend be more popular with the shoppers - at least I think so. Remember when shopping here is to bargain hard, unless you plan to get ripped off! There is no harm in bargaining but later decide not to purchase. This is the way things are here and the most you would get is a frown from the merchant. 

Shopping in China Town

Street stalls

A fruit vendor

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Chinatown at Petaling Street

Foreign tourists called it Chinatown while locals called it Petaling Street, where Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown is located. The area is nearby the commuter train Pasar Seni (Kelana Jaya Line) Station, Puduraya (express bus) Terminal and within walking distance from Central Market. Chinatown is a popular landmark in Kuala Lumpur for local shoppers as well as foreign and Malaysian tourists searching for knockdown prices. 

I personally describe Chinatown as a crowded open-air pedestrian mall with chaotic pedestrian traffic. It is is hot during the day though it gets cooler as evening approaches. Merchants here offer low quality merchandise with the occasional imitations. Prices here target tourists and haggling is the norm before you can get a bargain. Then why bother visit or shop at Chinatown? Probably these are the reason shoppers, especially tourists, come here in the first place!

Main entrance to Chinatown

Along the main street of Chinatown

Street stalls

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Where is and what to buy at Central Market

Central Market is nearby a street named Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock and a short walk from Chinatown at Petaling Street. If taking the commuter train, get off at the Pasar Seni (Kelana Jaya Line) Station. Central Market is popular with foreign tourists as well as Malaysians visiting the city and local residents. The shopping centre is a pleasant place to go even if you have no intention of buying. With its air-conditioning, Central Market is a nice place to escape from Kuala Lumpur's midday heat. 

Small shops and stalls occupy the building, selling varieties of local handicrafts and souvenirs including woodcarving, vases, batik, jewellery, engravings, antiques and pewter. Then there are the typical souvenir T-shirts, refrigerator magnets and host of trinkets. Prices here are not the cheapest in the city but definitely less than at the tourist areas including airports and hotels. You could probably haggle the price downwards for high price items and large purchases but forget it if it is less than RM10-20 (USD3-6).

Small shops and stalls on the ground floor

Souvenirs and handicraft shops

Local clothes on sale

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Central Market

Central Market is the place to go to in Kuala Lumpur for Malaysian souvenirs and handicrafts to take back home. The shopping centre is housed in a late 19th century building built during the British colonial era and expanded to its current size in 1933. Central Market was initially a wet market for nearly 100 years from where it got its name. I remember following my mother in the 70s to Central Market to purchase vegetables, meat and fish. It was a typical Asian market (at least by the standards of the time) - the floor was wet and soiled and the place stank! 

Central Market's days as a wet market are long gone. It was once considered to be demolished until the Malaysian Heritage Society intervened. In 1986, Central Market was converted into a shopping centre for Malaysian handicrafts and souvenirs - woodcarvings, batik, pewter, paintings and the typical refrigerator magnets and T-shirts. The exterior of the building still retains its colonial architecture (brings back memories) but the interior is modern, clean, air-conditioned and definitely without the smell of a wet market (thank goodness).

Front entrance to Central Market

Inside Central Market

Handicraft shops