Things to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur
Known predominantly for its bustling crowds, street vendors selling local handicrafts and lanes filled with the fragrance of incense oils, you can find a myriad of things to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur to make your visit here a lot more worthwhile and memorable. Famous for being a kaleidoscope of different cultures, religions, traditions and food, Chinatown is sure to become your favourite place in Kuala Lumpur, where you can experience the best dining, entertainment and shopping. Don’t miss out on a visit to the Old China Café if you are not sure of what to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur, and try one of their famed delicacies, like the devil curry chicken, or the lip-smacking beef rendang. You can also head over to one of the many stalls and hawkers here to get a taste of the delicious local street food of Kuala Lumpur in Chinatown. Shopping at the Petaling Street Market or exploring the Central Market are amongst the top activities to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur. You can also indulge in a relaxing massage at one of the local Chinese massage shops, and get rejuvenated after an exhausting day of sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur.
Things to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur
Known predominantly for its bustling crowds, street vendors selling local handicrafts and lanes filled with the fragrance of incense oils, you can find a myriad of things to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur to make your visit here a lot more worthwhile and memorable. Famous for being a kaleidoscope of different cultures, religions, traditions and food, Chinatown is sure to become your favourite place in Kuala Lumpur, where you can experience the best dining, entertainment and shopping. Don’t miss out on a visit to the Old China Café if you are not sure of what to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur, and try one of their famed delicacies, like the devil curry chicken, or the lip-smacking beef rendang. You can also head over to one of the many stalls and hawkers here to get a taste of the delicious local street food of Kuala Lumpur in Chinatown. Shopping at the Petaling Street Market or exploring the Central Market are amongst the top activities to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur. You can also indulge in a relaxing massage at one of the local Chinese massage shops, and get rejuvenated after an exhausting day of sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur.
- One of the top things to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur is to visit the Petaling Street Market and do some shopping here
- Located right in the heart of Chinatown, this busy street market is home to a wide array of stalls, kiosks as well as shops where you can get your hands on dupes of designer watches, bags, shoes and even jewellery and clothes
- It has anything and everything that you might need to buy during your trip to Malaysia, including accessories, toys, mobile phone cases as well as local spices and produce
- You can also witness the famous Chinese dragon dances during your visit to the Petaling Street Market
- When thinking of what to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur, head over to the Central Market which is a relatively less crowded market place with better quality products available to buy
- Doubling up as a cultural heritage site, the Central Market used to be an old wet market in the former times, but now boasts of an antique art deco façade
- It is home to a plethora of shops and stalls, along with many food kiosks, eateries as well as an outdoor stage where you can catch a live performance
- The Central Market is also the abode of Malaysia’s most popular coffee shop chain, called the Old Town White Coffee, where you can sip on a cup of delicious frothy coffee
Located right near the Central Market in Chinatown is a short but beautiful pedestrian street, called the Kasturi Walk This street is full of stalls where you can get your hands on an extensive selection of fashion accessories, craft items, local trinkets and souvenirs You can also find many fast food and drinks stalls here, some of which offers authentic taste of local cuisine of Kuala Lumpur Don’t forget to tuck into traditional delicacies, like the Nasi Lemak, different chicken curries, the famous banana fritters, as well as iced coffee which has condensed milk instead of sugar
- Amongst the more offbeat activities to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur is to pay a visit to the Chan See Shu Yuen temple, which is also one of the largest and oldest surviving Buddhist temples in the whole country
- Situated right at the end of the Petaling Street, this temple boasts of an open courtyard and well-maintained pavilions, along with intricate wood carvings, beautiful paintings, ceramic fittings, etc.
- Dating back to 1897, the Chan See Shu Yuen temple is best known for its detailed gables and carved Kwang-tung roof, which displays scenes from Chinese history and mythology
- You can also marvel at the paintings of warriors fighting dragons, lions and other mythological beasts inside the main temple
- Located on the top floor of the Central Market, this food court is not only clean and hygienic, but also offers a wide range of delicacies at reasonable costs
- Furthermore, in contrast to the street food stalls, the food court also offers you a place to sit and relax as you enjoy your meal or refreshments
- Some of the most notable things on the menu at the Central Market Food Court include the popular Laksa Soup, Mie Goreng, Nasi Lemak and more, which you can get from the 15 or so outlets available here
- If you ar not sure of what to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur, then the myriad of street food shops at Chinatown are your best bet
- Chinatown is home to numerous local street food stalls and kiosks, where you can try and taste some of the best delicacies, drinks and snacks of the region
- From a quick Chinese meal cooked in a makeshift kitchenette, to trying more refined KL specialties, like the Nasi Lemak and different satays, among other things, these street food stalls and shops in Chinatown have it all
- You can often find a lot of gems in the dark alleyways in Chinatown, which usually go unnoticed by the public
- When in Chinatown, visit the 19th century Guan Di Temple and spend some time praying in silence
- It is one of the most remarkable Chinese temples in all of Kuala Lumpur which is completely free to enter and boasts of high ceilings, red walls, tiled spouts and pointy roofs, making the temple quite unique
- The temple becomes even more tranquil and peaceful during early mornings when the fragrance of candles and incense sticks completely fill the ambience.
- Visiting Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, the oldest hindu temple in the region is often regarded as one of the top activities to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur
- Boasting of an ornate carved entrance tower similar to the temples of southern India, the entrance of this temple is 23 metres tall, and has colourful statues of many Hindu gods
- Dating back to 1873, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is dedicated to the South Indian mother goddess called Mariamman, who is also known as Parvati
- It is here where you can admire the magnificent shrine of the goddess at the back of the temple complex, whilst also marvelling at the shrine of Lord Ganesh
- Amongst the best things to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur is savouring the taste of Chinese and Malaysian food at Old China Café, which is one of the oldest restaurants in the whole city
- The café is old but still retains its charm, and boasts of walls with ancient Chinese paintings, photographs from times gone by and large mirrors, with classic marble-topped tables
- This is the perfect place to hangout with friends and family while trying out their special items, such as a plate of spicy devil curry chicken, beef rendang or different local Malaysian snacks
- Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown is home to a large number of historic structures, including markets, stalls as well as old hotels and Chinese shop houses that date back to the 1800s
- Acting as the perfect subject for photography enthusiasts, these Chinese shop houses are made in the typical Chinese style of architecture, with a house towards the back end of the building, and a business at the front
- You can also see the outside undercover space in each shophouse here, which is designed in a way such that it protects the shoppers from the heat and rain
- You can even capture some of the shophouses that are terraced together, which protect the shoppers and visitors from getting sunburnt or wet whilst they walk from one shop to another
FAQs for Things to do in China Town Kuala Lumpur
What are the famous places to visit in Kuala Lumpur?
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Petronas Twin Towers: Once ranked as the tallest buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers are now the tallest twin buildings on the globe, with a height of 452 metres. Boasting an Islamic style of architecture, these towers are also home to the Science Museum, the Petroleum Museum as well as the Petronas Concert Hall, among other attractions.
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Menara KL Tower: One of the most famous places to visit in Kuala Lumpur is the Menara KL Tower, which houses the highest viewing deck in all of Malaysia. Standing tall over the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, this tower also boasts of having a revolving restaurant, a mini zoo, as well as an amphitheatre.
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Sunway Lagoon Theme Park: Amongst the best places in the city, this theme park is home to various sectioned parks, like a water park, an amusement park, a scream park and a Nickelodeon park. It is a haven for people of all ages, and features a wide number of rides and attractions.
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Aquaria KLCC: Said to be the most extensive oceanarium in Malaysia, it is at Aquaria KLCC where you can witness over 150 species of marine animals, including piranhas, rays, sea snakes, catfish and more. You can also enjoy diving with sharks or watch animal feeding sessions here.
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National Mosque of Malaysia: Also known as Masjid Negara, the National Museum of Malaysia is a one-of-a-kind monument, made of steel. Known for its water features and open areas, the mosque is also a great place to gain insights into the rich Islamic culture.
What is China Town Kuala Lumpur best known for?
Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur is known for being the most photogenic place in the whole region, and is home to a wide array of attractions, from temples and mosques, to shops, age old buildings as well as dining establishments and markets. It is also where you can get the famous iced coffee, or try local snacks and delicacies in Kuala Lumpur.
What is Kuala Lumpur’s Chinese history?
According to historians, a major reason for the existence of Kuala Lumpur is because of Chinese prospectors, who came to this region in their search for tin, and gave this place a name, which would translate to “Muddy River Junction.” The city also grew and developed because of Chinese finance and energy, under the leadership of Yap Ah Loy of the Chinese community, who helped to develop Kuala Lumpur from a scurrying settlement, to a thriving and flourishing city.
What is the best time to visit China Town in Kuala Lumpur?
The best time to visit Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur is during the afternoon, when most of the markets, shops and eateries are open here, and the crowds are relatively lesser. Furthermore, you can also come here during the Lunar New Year, between January and February, when the entire place gets decorated in colourful decorations, and remains lively.
What are the best things to buy from the Central Market?
When visiting the Central Market, some of the best things that you can buy here are authentic handicrafts, traditional Malaysian batik items, etc. This market is also great for buying traditional Malaysian souvenirs and fabrics, along with Chinese seals, rice crafts, local spices and produce. You can also buy songket apparels, jewellery and accessories here, along with traditional Malaysian antiques.
How to reach ChinaTown Kuala Lumpur?
By Train: You can avail a ride either on Train number 2 on MRT, or train numbers 5 or 9 on the LRT and get down at the Chinatown station, from where Chinatown is located just a few minutes away
By Bus: You can also avail a ride on bus numbers 103, 104, 152, 190, 780 and P701 to get to Chinatown
By Taxi: You may take a taxi ride from anywhere in the city and reach Chinatown from here easily
What are some of the tips for visiting Chinatown Kuala Lumpur?
- To get a true experience and feel of Chinatown, try staying at one of the hotels here itself
- Make sure you negotiate with the sellers when shopping for different things in Chinatown, since the vendors generally quote very high prices
- Wear comfortable shoes when visiting Chinatown, since you are likely to walk a lot here
- Remember to carry water, sunscreen lotion, hats and umbrellas here when you visit Chinatown
- Don’t forget to try out the wide range of local snacks, dishes and drinks from the many food kiosks and stalls available here