Image credit: Connie Ma/FlickrWhat
The Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur is equally fascinating as any Chinatown in the world. This bustling hub around Petaling Street is also known as “Chee Cheong Kai” or Starch Factory Street, owing to its history as a district for tapioca production.
These days, it is a bargain hunter’s paradise. Shoppers flock to this famous marketplace for good deals on clothes, accessories, souvenirs, fabrics, and electronics.
Just a word of caution, buyers must beware of knockoff items that abound in this part of the city. To be on the safe side, opt for the unbranded but high quality products, available at numerous retail shops.
Why
A wide variety of goods at cheap prices. Rates can even go lower if you haggle with the vendors.
When the sun goes down, Chinatown transforms into a vibrant market filled with food stalls and lively entertainment.
A visit to Chinatown is the best way to immerse in the market shopping culture of Kuala Lumpur. The place is named Chinatown, but it is actually a melting pot of vendors and shoppers of various races, from Chinese to Malay, Indian and Bangladeshi.
Best shopping places in Kuala Lumpur Chinatown
Petaling Street is where the main action happens. Explore the retail stalls and haggle your way with the vendors to get the best prices for your purchases. Sample the popular street food such as Hokkien noodles and asam laksa.
The Central Market is just a short walk from Petaling Street. It offers a similar shopping experience but with a more artsy vibe. The place is particularly famous for high quality yet low priced handicrafts, souvenirs and art works.
Kasturi Walk or Malaysian Heritage Walk runs beside the Central Market. This covered walkway is lined with stalls selling Malaysian crafts, souvenirs, local food, and knockoffs. Shop there if you wish to buy cheap goods minus the crowd and noise of Petaling Street.
