Chinatown
3.5
About
Chinatown is a vibrant district in Kuala Lumpur where you can experience Chinese-Malaysian culture. Take a stroll along the pedestrian-friendly Kasturi Walk to discover colorful shops, temples, and markets selling everything from clothes to souvenirs. Be sure to visit the famous Petaling Street Market and Central Market, as well as the beautiful Buddhist and Hindu temples, too. And don't forget to sample some of the mouthwatering street food like nasi lemak (a coconut rice dish) and pisang goreng (banana fritters), and teh tarik ("pulled" tea). Join a walking or food tour to learn more about the area's history and culture. – Tripadvisor
Duration: 2-3 hours
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How to get there
- Pasar Seni • 6 min walk
- Masjid Jamek • 6 min walk
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2,990 within 3 miles
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338 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Melissa GPerth, Australia63 contributionsMUST SEE VISIT IN KLA great place to haggle and buy cheap knock offs of label brand bags, shirts, shorts, shoes, watches and perfumes. A great experience and went 3 times as I have a bag fetish. Haggle with the stall workers over prices as they will highball you but you can get a great quality knock off bag for AU$30 - $40. It's really hot and humid so either go when it opens or go at night. Haggle with taxi drivers for the best price when taking your shopping back to your hotel.Visited September 2023Traveled with friendsWritten September 30, 2023
- ianb111Melbourne, Australia855 contributionsHas changed little over the yearsAs the title suggests, not a great deal has changed over the years in Chinatown. I did notice on my recent visit that there is now a roof covering much of the area. I cannot remember seeing this on my last visit. Although that was quite a few years ago. Probably because on The Internet I did not spot a single vendor selling D.V.Ds. However, there are still more than enough stalls selling cheap watches to please even the most fastidious visitor. There appear to be more stalls selling pirated clothing and accessories now than before, but then again it could very well be because of my not being here for a while. As before though, this place is heaving, and it is difficult to wander among some of the stalls because of so many visitors. One thing that has always tickled us is the chap selling roast chestnuts right in the middle of Chinatown. Roasted chestnuts are not something normally associated with a tropical country like Malaysia.Visited September 2023Traveled soloWritten November 30, 2023
- Pak Wan JanggutKuala Lumpur, Malaysia30 contributionsHaving Breakfast the Local WayHo Kow Hainam Kopitiam, one of the famous eatery outlets situated in the Chinatown area. On weekends particularly, this cafe is always full. You need to take a number and wait until your number is called to dine in. If you wish to experience the local way of having breakfast - black thick coffee, toast, half-boiled-egg, and other delicacies, this is the place you must visit. It closes on Mondays.Visited March 2024Traveled soloWritten March 6, 2024
- Alex H8 contributionsBig street market that's worth a look, bring cash to spend.For a street market it felt quite safe altho still protect your pockets. Sales men aren't to bad to barter with just drop a low ball figure and don't pay more then 60% of the price. Walking away helps. Find all your fakes from shooes, bags, socks, glasses, watches, soccer and basketball shirtsVisited May 2024Traveled soloWritten May 14, 2024
- ZimminaroundtheworldOkinawa Prefecture, Japan1,968 contributionsMore Cheap Shopping then Anything ElseI like going to China Towns around the world, so I expected this one to be like others. It was mainly cheap shops with vendors selling off brand items. I was expecting more food places. There were some, tucked away or on other streets, but be prepared to find mainly cheap shops here. It was somewhat dirty and chaotic. Not a place I'd say you have to go to.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 8, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Popular mentions
3.5
11,686 reviews
Excellent
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3,971
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3,643
Poor
1,121
Terrible
558
Tim F
Los Angeles, CA195 contributions
Dec 2019
There a lot of stalls on this street that offer the same things, there is one I would recommend - Ashik near Hari Hari(sign on the building, near 186/189) He has the same merchandise but will provide you with the best prices. Tell him Tim sent you and he will take care of you!
You can spend the whole day there. I recommend you go with things in your mind about what you're looking for, if not you will be overwhelmed with the amount of merch there. I would say the bags here are of excellent quality.
You can spend the whole day there. I recommend you go with things in your mind about what you're looking for, if not you will be overwhelmed with the amount of merch there. I would say the bags here are of excellent quality.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ray
Staines, UK798 contributions
Mar 2021
This is a proper blue colour working class authentic Chinatown. In fact this is as close as you can get to the real thing outside China. It has all the the required features that make these towns tick. Colourful, vibrant, lively, busy, noisy, crowded, exotic smells, herbs and medicine shops, temples, dragons, sculptures, restaurants, bars, street food stalls, cheap hotels, dirty narrow back allies and all kind of branded clothings/accessories that you can never afford to buy otherwise from top fashion designers at original price.
The main street market Jalan Petaling is pedestrian only and declared as heritage site. After the facelift and nip tuck, they covered it completely with the roof to keep it from sun as well as thunderous monsoon rain. They've alo installed welcome arches on each side of the street to make it exclusive. The whole neighbourhood is far from glamorous, classy high end areas of the city but definitely a saving grace for low budget traveller like me.
The main street market Jalan Petaling is pedestrian only and declared as heritage site. After the facelift and nip tuck, they covered it completely with the roof to keep it from sun as well as thunderous monsoon rain. They've alo installed welcome arches on each side of the street to make it exclusive. The whole neighbourhood is far from glamorous, classy high end areas of the city but definitely a saving grace for low budget traveller like me.
Written March 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cassy 🍒 Santos
Philippines89 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
I recommend this place for tourist who looks for budget-friendly souvenirs, and local malaysian foods. This place is open around 5pm in the afternoon, and above. Here I bought 6 pieces of key chains for around 7 ringgit. Also, I bought 1 ref. magnet for worth 5 ringgit. I bought 2 local bags for worth 45 ringgit, and a cap for 30 ringgit.
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John R
Liverpool, UK670 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Visited China town with its small stalls where you can bag a bargain of electronics or fake designer goods which are good value for money. Remember barter barter barter and then reduce the price. We eat at a fairly large restaurant at the back of one of the stalls. It’s very cheap to eat and drink in KL so make the most of eating out.
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Henrique_WestOz
Perth, Australia94 contributions
Jan 2020
A couple of minutes walk from Pasar Seni LRT station. Personally I didn't find that interesting. Street vendors selling cheap stuff, some food stalls... I would recommend just to go for a walk to se the people and the atmosphere of the place, apart from it nothing really special if you are not into shopping.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MICA_CHICK
Melbourne, Australia87 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Had a fun time walking around a newly opened area in Little China with beautiful murals on the walls that allowed for tourist participation in photo shoots. It’s quite small but you can spend over an hour easily taking photos. If you can’t get to Penang then this is a taster.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aisha W
Lahore, Pakistan16 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Without any doubt that you get a lot of good deals and bargains but the place is full of a lot of rude sellers too who believe that asking price is a sin and they’re racist that they name you indian (though we were genuine buyers and from pakistan) and they call you that you just ask prices and runaway. One seller told my husband upon asking a bag’s price that you cannot afford it. A girl seller said to me that don’t ask prices if you don’t want to buy. Despite that we found some good sellers who were nice and we a few good bags and wallets from them. Other than this, they actually start with 200 and come to 40 RM.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mukesh S
Kathmandu, Nepal1,207 contributions
Jul 2019
Whenever I go here, prefer to have at least one evening here on its food street. Said to be more for shopping, but I know this area with their food. The street is very lively and colourful in the evening when all restaurants extends their area with chairs and dinning table on the street, partly covered with tents and number of their attendants waves at you with their menu. Great Chinese food, prepared live and served hot with required drinks and yet much cheaper than many other restaurants in the area. Its always good to go there with few friends since then you can share varieties of food among yourselves. Being alone and having one or two food can't be enjoyed since you may miss other taste and yet the quantity is too much for one person. A must to go location and enjoy local Chinese food.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HTH
Kuching, Malaysia147 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
In fact more closely we called " Petaling Street " than Chinatown.
People from local and overseas come together; price bargaining sound,smoke from foods stall nearby.The condition is crowded but pleasure walk through .
Been KL, you should make a visit.
People from local and overseas come together; price bargaining sound,smoke from foods stall nearby.The condition is crowded but pleasure walk through .
Been KL, you should make a visit.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick Siew
3 contributions
Dec 2019
Any tourists visiting Kuala Lumpur or KL for short, a visit to China Town in Petaling Street is a must. Its a shopper paradise for fake branded products. There are several brands, but you must be willing to bargain to get the best deals.
Besides the branded goods there is a one star Micheline chicken rice shop - Hawker Chan. The price is resaonable and you can have a chicken rice and soup under RM20.
Dont forget to eat the Soya Bean Tou Foo Fa shop. Its super smooth and it cost only RM1.80 a bowl.
Besides the branded goods there is a one star Micheline chicken rice shop - Hawker Chan. The price is resaonable and you can have a chicken rice and soup under RM20.
Dont forget to eat the Soya Bean Tou Foo Fa shop. Its super smooth and it cost only RM1.80 a bowl.
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HI there I want to buy some fake Gucci YSL Hand Bags on my holiday. Where would you recomend for good price and quality and choice? Thank You. Karon.
Written July 25, 2023
What’s the easiest way to go china town? I mean is there any train or bus service goes directly there?
Written December 10, 2019
Plaza Rakyat the near station . Unfortunately you have not mentioned where is your starting point
Written December 11, 2019
Can I get exact replica of watches at cheap prices under 40 ringgit here ?
Written April 12, 2019
It is possible need to bargain for the price you want.
Written May 8, 2019
Jika saya menginap di bukit bintang, transportasi apa yg paling mudah?? Apakah dekat dari bukit bintang??
Written November 8, 2018
Getting Highland is semi hilly area and 65 km away from Kuala Lumpur. You can hire taxi or AC buses also run from this area to KL
Written November 9, 2018
Kalau dr berjaya timea square ke chinatown jauh g y?soalnya sy g ngerti naek bas or monorail jd cm mengandalkan uber or grab dan kaki hehehhe....thx
Written October 27, 2018
Blh naik mrt dr Stesen Bukit Bintang ke Pasar Seni. Pastu jln kaki ke China Town lbh krg 5-10min je dah blh sampai.
Written October 27, 2018
What time the market gets close ?
Written October 16, 2018
if it's food it will remain open until mid night otherwise market gets wrap up at 11:30pm.
Written October 18, 2018
Will the stalls be open today as it is a national holiday.
Written September 16, 2018
They are usually open, and even on holiday days some of them are open.
Please note that in China town, when shopping, you can considerably reduce the price with respectful dialogue.
Written September 17, 2018
Cuál es el horario? A qué hora cierra? Tenemos una escala y llegamos a las 00.45 hasta las 6.45 de la mañana, que se puede hacer? Recomiendan alguna tienda de electrónica que esté abierta en ese horario?
Saludos
Written February 21, 2018
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