Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, also known as Petaling Street, is one of the city’s most vibrant and bustling areas. It’s a mix of history, culture, and commerce, offering a unique glimpse into the multicultural makeup of Malaysia.
Chinatown Kuala Lumpur (Petaling Street)
Explore the vibrant Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur (Petaling Street), a hub for shopping, street food, and cultural landmarks. Discover temples, local markets, and traditional Malaysian cuisine in this historic district.
Chinatown Trip Key Highlights
- Lanterns: Colorful lanterns hanging above add to the street's charm
- Culture: Petaling Street is rich in Oriental culture, heritage, and history. It's a historic tapioca-producing district.
- Shopping: Petaling Street is known for its fashion boutiques and a large covered market offering food produce, clothes, and accessories. You can find cheap clothes, accessories, and traditional Chinese herbs here.
- Food: Petaling Street is famous for its delicious street food, including Hokkien mee and roasted chestnuts.
- Night market: Petaling Street has a lively night market.
- Haggling: Haggling is a common sight here.
- Atmosphere: Petaling Street is always buzzing with activity, and you can see and hear the hustle and bustle of people everywhere.
ChinaTown Day Tour Plan
Famous for its lively night market, where you can find a variety of items like clothes, accessories, souvenirs, and knockoff goods.Bargaining is a common practice, so you can often get a good deal on items.
Chinatown is a food haven with local street food and restaurants offering traditional Chinese dishes, Malaysian cuisine, and fusion options.
Popular dishes include Hokkien mee, wonton noodles, roast duck, and barbecue pork. There are also stalls serving local delicacies like curry laksa and asam laksa.
Several temples are located nearby, such as the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, a Hindu temple with intricate design, and the Chan See Shu Yuen Temple, one of the oldest Chinese temples in Malaysia.
The area's architecture is a mix of colonial and Chinese influences, with historic shophouses lining the streets
Just a short walk from Petaling Street, Central Market is a great place for local arts, crafts, and souvenirs. It has been a cultural hub since the 1880s.
Close to Chinatown, you can visit Merdeka Square, Masjid Jamek, and the Kasturi Walk for more shopping and historical sightseeing.
ChinaTown (Petaling Street) Entry Fee
Entry ticket for China Town in Kuala Lumpur Petaling Street is free of cost, visitors can enjoy 3-4 hours shopping and food here.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Free (donations welcome)
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
Free (donations welcome)
Central Market (Pasar Seni)
Free to enter
Merdeka Square
Free to Visit
Masjid Jamek
Free to Enter
Lok Lok Street Food
Free to visit, pay for food
Address, Location, Visit Hours
Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Visiting Hours
11:00 am – 11:00 PM
How to reach Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur (Petaling Street)
Public Transport: The area is easily accessible by public transport. The MRT and LRT stations nearby include Merdeka Station, Pasar Seni, and Masjid Jamek. It’s also within walking distance from major attractions like the Kuala Lumpur Tower and Merdeka Square.
Chinatown is easily accessible by public transport:
- MRT and LRT: The Pasar Seni Station and Merdeka Station are nearby.
- Taxi/Grab: Convenient if you’re coming directly from other parts of the city.
- Walking: Chinatown is within walking distance from other central attractions like Merdeka Square and Masjid Jamek.
ChinaTown Petaling Street Market
FAQs about Chinatown KL
Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur is located around Petaling Street, in the heart of the city, within the area of the Central Market and Pasar Seni.
By Train: Take the LRT and get off at Pasar Seni Station (Kelana Jaya Line). Chinatown is within a short walking distance.
By Bus: Many public buses go to Chinatown. You can use apps like Google Maps for the best bus routes.
By Taxi/Grab: Taxis and ride-hailing services like Grab are also available.
Chinatown is open 24/7, but the street markets and shops are usually open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Some eateries and stalls may operate later into the night.
Petaling Street Market – For local food, souvenirs, and street shopping.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple – The oldest Hindu temple in KL.
Central Market – For arts, crafts, and cultural items.
Chan See Shu Yuen Temple – An old Chinese clan house.
Chinatown KL is famous for its vibrant street markets, Chinese heritage, and diverse food options. It’s a great place for shopping, street food, and experiencing local culture.
- Claypot Chicken Rice – A local favorite.
- Hokkien Mee – Stir-fried noodles.
- Wantan Mee – Egg noodles with wonton dumplings.
- Dim Sum – Steamed buns and dumplings.
- Chee Cheong Fun – Rice noodle rolls with various fillings.
