Fodor's Expert Review Chinatown (Petaling Street)

Kuala Lumpur Free

KL's thriving Chinatown, commonly referred to as Petaling Street or Jalan Petaling (its main stretch of street), is known for two main things: shopping and eating. Here vendors hawk knockoff goods like watches, sunglasses, and T-shirts in the market, and bargaining is expected and essential; a good rule of thumb is to accept one-third the original asking price. You can also find inexpensive souvenirs and knickknacks here, such as wooden bead bracelets and imitation silk coin purses in chinoiserie prints. After shopping, be sure to visit one of the food stalls on or just off Petaling for claypot noodles, barbecue, and Hokkien noodles, or walk five minutes to Central Market, which is filled with local food and tropical juice stalls. Cool down with a glass of air mata kucing, an iced fruit drink made from winter melon (tong kua), monk fruit (lo han kor), dried longan (long ngan), and sugar. The best spot to find it is the Air Mata Kucing stall on the southern... READ MORE

KL's thriving Chinatown, commonly referred to as Petaling Street or Jalan Petaling (its main stretch of street), is known for two main things: shopping and eating. Here vendors hawk knockoff goods like watches, sunglasses, and T-shirts in the market, and bargaining is expected and essential; a good rule of thumb is to accept one-third the original asking price. You can also find inexpensive souvenirs and knickknacks here, such as wooden bead bracelets and imitation silk coin purses in chinoiserie prints. After shopping, be sure to visit one of the food stalls on or just off Petaling for claypot noodles, barbecue, and Hokkien noodles, or walk five minutes to Central Market, which is filled with local food and tropical juice stalls. Cool down with a glass of air mata kucing, an iced fruit drink made from winter melon (tong kua), monk fruit (lo han kor), dried longan (long ngan), and sugar. The best spot to find it is the Air Mata Kucing stall on the southern end of Jalan Petaling near Jalan Hang Lekir. Also in Chinatown, the Taoist Sze Ya Temple and Hindu Sri Mahamariamman Temple both deserve a visit.

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Quick Facts

Jalan Petaling Between Jalan Hang Lekir and Jalan Sultan
Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur  Malaysia

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