Petaling Street (Chinatown)

Jalan Petaling

The main pedestrian street of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown. Under a green canopy, you’ll find street-food stalls, century-old tea shops, and a Guan Yu temple. The mural cafés of Kwai Chai Hong have given this old street new life.

Petaling Street is the main street of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown. Chinese miners who settled here during the Yap Ah Loy era of the 19th century gave the street its name, after a tapioca flour factory that once stood here. A green canopy covers the roughly 300-meter pedestrian street, and stalls on both sides sell clothing, bags, watches, and souvenirs. Most of these are imitations, and you should bargain hard, down to a third of the initial price. More worth experiencing are the nearby old shops: Kim Lian Kee Hokkien fried noodles (1927), Koon Kee wonton noodles, Ho Kow Tea Shop with Hainanese coffee and toast, and a herbal luo han guo tea stall. At the street entrance, the Guan Di Temple (1887) and the nearby Sri Mahamariamman Temple (1873), the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, reflect the coexistence of many religions. The silver chariot used in the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves departs from here.

Kwai Chai Hong, renovated in 2019, has become a popular photo spot, with murals of 1960s street life and artsy cafés. A five-minute walk away is Central Market (Pasar Seni, 10:00–21:30), a former wet market from 1888 turned into a crafts market with batik, pewter, and local designs. It is a great place to buy souvenirs.

Tips: In the afternoon, visit Central Market and Kwai Chai Hong. In the evening, eat at the Petaling Street stalls and old shops, and then have a drink at nearby old-house bars such as Chocha or PS150. Getting there: a three-minute walk from Pasar Seni LRT/MRT Station.

Caution: Watch out for pickpockets and motorbike bag snatchers. Use your own judgment about purchasing imitation goods. Night market stalls usually close around 22:00.

Petaling Street (Chinatown)

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby