Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur is the place which never sleeps and is always filled with colors and bustles all the time - Chinatown of Kuala Lumpur. If ever visiting Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown must definitely be in your ‘to-visit’ list, especially if you are a true bargain hunter, as it is also famously known as the ‘Bargain Hunter’s Paradise.’
You can find everything here, from the Chinese herbs to the imitation goods. Especially at night, the place is a shopper's’ paradise and turns into a lively and vibrant night market.
Location: The Chinatown is located on the Petaling Street, also known as ‘Chee Cheong Kai (Starch Factory Street.)
Chinatown Kuala Lumpur will quickly become your favorite place in Malaysia. The ramshackle Chinese shophouse is like the narrow passageways and streets, smoldering incense coils emitting smoke from every doorway.
It is a melting pot of local cultures, where Hindu deities’ statues, Taoist temples, and Islamic mosques, stand shoulder to shoulder in the bustling Kuala Lumpur district.
In Chinatown, you can enjoy the best street food, shopping, and nightlife. You can also find various eccentric cocktail bars tucked away from atmospheric hawkers and side streets like Petaling Jaya and Madras Lane night market.
Street foods are a significant part of KL’s food culture, and the view in Chinatown is proof of that. The main area of this place is filled with hawker stalls, but during nightfall, the site becomes more impressive and should not be missed. Chicken satay sticks, curry puffs, durian fruit, and Chinese dumplings are some of the famous local delicacies that should not be missed. Along with this, Curry Laksa of Madras Lane market is the best in the market, and you should definitely try it once.
Chinatown is blessed with religious activities, where diverse places of worship can be easily found. Beautiful Hindu temples stand beside Chinese Taoist temples and minarets of mosques. All religious sites are open for tourists; however, it is important to dress properly to respect every culture.
Also Check: Places to Visit in Kuala Lumpur
Highlights
• Chinatown Kuala Lumpur is the most photogenic hangout spot in the entire region.
• When in Chinatown, one can also explore beautiful spiritual sites and temples in Chinatown, Malaysia
• Explore the city's most atmospheric hawker’s street food market and grab some delicious food. You can even sip the most famous iced coffee at Chinatown Kuala Lumpur.
• There are various amazing bars which are owned by expert cocktail mixologists, you should definitely visit them to grab a unique cocktail mix, along with delicious Chinese cuisine from various street vendors.
• Chinatown is full of old buildings which are still not modified to keep the tradition and ancient beauty alive. You can view those amazing creativity while strolling the streets.
• This is the best place to enjoy the evening, away from the humidity and heat of Southeast Asia.
How To Reach
By Train – It is the most recommended option as you can take a direct train (Train number 2 and MRT & LRT number 5 & 9) and reach Chinatown station. Chinatown Kuala Lumpur is just 3 minutes walking distance away.
By Bus – It is the cheapest option. Take a bus (103,104,152,190,780 and P701) and deboard it at Chinatown. After that, you have to walk for 5 minutes to reach the main area.
By Taxi – If you are coming via taxi, you should deboard the taxi either at Chinatown station or the bus stop, and you can easily walk from there to the market area as it is only a few minutes away.
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Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Chinatown Kuala Lumpur is from late afternoon till night. It is the time when everything is open. The streets will be full of tourists, and you can see people enjoying shopping and Chinese food. Also, if you want to taste the best scenic beauty and food, night time is best to visit here. You can enjoy local markets that are in full form at night and buy items from that market at a meager price.
Must Read: Markets in Malaysia
Other Essential Information
Shopping in Chinatown
- Kasturi Walk
It is a covered walkway full of exciting street foods and kiosks. Kasturi Walk is developed by the central market in Kuala Lumpur. The place is also known as an outdoor shopping heaven filled with F&B outlets and retail shops. It also resonates with a vibrant alfresco ambiance under a vast wau arch, making it a must-visit destination for people visiting Malaysia and local shoppers.
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If you want your market to be of better quality, cleaner, and less hectic, then Central Market is the best option in Chinatown. It is a cultural heritage site with a restored art deco façade offering an outdoor stage, eateries, and shopping. Most shops have a boutique feel and there are many pleasant places to roam around. The market also houses the most popular coffee shop chain, i.e. Old Town White Coffee that offers extremely cheap coffee with a very delicious taste.
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Where to stay?
- Tian Jing Hotel
It is a 3- star hotel located at a 25-minute walk from Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Park and owns a set of 15 rooms with a beautiful garden view. Even Chinatown is only a few steps away from this hotel. The USP of the hotel is that it offers an array of dishes to relish on along with some of the most beautiful air conditioning accommodations.
You can easily reach famous places in Chinatown like Oldies Café Bar and Leaf & Co Café in a short walk of 5 – 10 minutes. Other public areas like KL train station and Kompleks Selangor bus stops are located nearby, where you can easily reach by walking.
- The 5 Element Hotels
Located at the foot of the Rila mountains and is the heart of the town of Sapareva Banya in Chinatown Kuala Lumpur.
The balance between earth, fire, water, air, and ether is the underlying elements of both the names and philosophy of the hotel. You can enjoy indoor and outdoor pools and spa facilities. This hotel's services are available for people of all ages, moods, and tastes.
The hotel is located at a distance of 1 KM from Chinatown. If you are staying at this beautiful hotel, you can easily access the beauty of Chinatown within a few minutes.
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Tips to visit Chinatown
1. Chinatown Kuala Lumpur is known for its bargain shopping. So, don’t be afraid to bargain here as local vendors generally quote very high prices.
3. To get a real taste of Chinatown, you should stay in one of the hotels or hostels in Chinatown.
4. Visiting Chinatown is very time saving as all hotspots are connected with each other, so you do not need to travel very long to explore every hotspot.
5. There is the hot weather that will greet you. So, you should prepare yourself for hot weather with sunscreen lotions, hats, umbrellas and other cool treats.
6. Eating is never a problem and if you happen to be a food lover, the place is surely a heaven for you. There will be lots of food stalls to explore in Chinatown.
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Petaling Street Market
It is the epicenter of Chinatown Kuala Lumpur, with a bustling long undercover market which is always full of tourists. It sells fake mobile phone cases, toys, hats, belts, shoes, jewelry, designer bags, and any other thing which a tourist should buy in Malaysia. Fake items here might not be of interest to everyone, but still, it is a fun place to roam for first-time visitors. Here you can also find delicious food stalls of freshly cut fruit, stir-fries, coconut pancakes, Chinese buns, deep-fried chicken feet, chicken floss sandwiches, steamed dumplings, etc.
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Central Market
Central Market in Kuala Lumpur is a fine food ‘grab-and-go’ that offers tourists flavourful and fresh bites from vendors of artisanal New York. In addition to it, the central market also offers Malaysia’s best and most delicious breakfast, including Nespresso, coffee, salads, sandwiches, pastries, and many other enjoyable treats like beer and wine to guests.
Also Check: Kuala Lumpur Shopping Tours
Kasturi Walk
The central market spills onto the pedestrian street beside its main building, known as Kasturi walk. This street has many stalls which sell crafts, fashion accessories, souvenirs, and a vast selection of street food and drinks. Most street food kitchens are housed in a cute matching mini caravan. You can find delicious local dishes like iced coffee sweetened with condensed milk, banana fritters, chicken curries, and Nasi Lemak.
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Chan See Shu Yuen Temple
If you feel, visiting the oldest and largest surviving Buddhist temple in Malaysia will be exciting for you, then you should go to Chan See Shu Temple. It is located at the end of Jalan Petaling, and it houses a typical open courtyard and a big pavilion. You can see wonderful wooden carvings, ceramic fittings, and bright paintings. Outside of this temple reflects expertly carved Kwang-tung roof, terracotta friezes, and incredibly detailed gables, which reflect Mythological scenes and Chinese history. The temple pillars demonstrate images of warriors fighting with dragons, lions, and multiple mythological beasts.
Check Out: Temples in Kuala Lumpur
Kuan Ti Temple
It is the most impressive temple in Chinatown Kuala Lumpur, also known as Guan Di Temple. You can experience various locals worshiping and praying in Kuan Ti Temple on entering. You can see a 59kg copper Guan Dao, i.e., a Chinese pole weapon, which has high religious significance. Most of the people are continuously swarming this temple as it is believed that the sword possesses an extraordinary power to protect and bless a person if they touch it or lift it. Many of them also think it has an inner force that can miraculously turn a person’s luck.
Also Check: Historical Places in Malaysia for Best Vacation
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