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