Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur

Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown is a dynamic, colorful area that perfectly illustrates the blend of old traditions and modern life. It's a great spot for anyone wanting to experience Chinese-Malaysian culture, packed with various activities and sights.

Petaling Street is at the core of Chinatown. It's known for its fashion stores and a big covered market selling a wide range of items like produce, clothing, and accessories. At night, Petaling Street turns into an evening market with red Chinese lanterns, offering a beautiful view. The street vendors sell all sorts of things, from fake designer clothes and bags to electronics, fresh produce, spices, and different souvenirs. This change from a busy day market to a lively night market gives a special feel, really showing what this place is about.

The food scene in Chinatown is a key feature, with everything from street food like nasi lemak and pisang goreng to high-end Chinese restaurants. Teh tarik, a popular local tea, is a must-try, combining taste and tradition.

Chinatown also has important religious sites like the Taoist Guan Di Temple and the 19th-century Sri Mahamariamman Temple, famous for its detailed facade with Hindu gods. These temples are not just spiritual places but also architectural wonders that show the rich history of the area. The Chan See Shu Yuen Temple is another highlight, offering insight into Chinatown's historical background amid modern tourist spots.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Kuala Lumpur. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Chinatown on Map

Sight Name: Chinatown
Sight Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (See walking tours in Kuala Lumpur)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Create Your Own Walk in Kuala Lumpur

Create Your Own Walk in Kuala Lumpur

Creating your own self-guided walk in Kuala Lumpur is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Kuala Lumpur Introduction Walking Tour

Kuala Lumpur Introduction Walking Tour

Kuala Lumpur, meaning "muddy confluence" in Malay, refers to the city's birthplace at the junction of the Gombak and Klang rivers. Although some Chinese workers were involved in tin mining in the area in the 1840s, it wasn't until 1857 that a town was established here.

Two men in particular have been credited for making outsized contributions to the development of Kuala...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Historical Religious Buildings

Historical Religious Buildings

Just as the whole of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is a culturally diverse and tolerant city where all of the world’s major religions coexist in perfect harmony. Back in the 1800s-early 1900s, along with the large influx of laborers and merchants of different backgrounds, brought in by the British colonization, came the unique sets of faiths and religious systems: Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism,...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Historical Buildings Walking Tour

A colorful blend of colonial influences, Asian traditions and Malay Islamic inspirations, the historical architecture of Kuala Lumpur is a well known attraction in its own right. Being relatively young a city, most of Kuala Lumpur's buildings date back to the late 19th - early 20th centuries, reflecting Mughal, Tudor, Neo-Gothic or Grecian-Spanish styles. Most of these have been adapted to...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Kuala Lumpur Shopping Tour

Kuala Lumpur Shopping Tour

Shopping is one of the top activities for those visiting Kuala Lumpur. In this vibrant city there’s something for every taste and budget, from high-end boutiques offering designer labels to the lively street markets drawing crowds with artsy finds and cheap reproductions, where cheap doesn’t necessarily mean a less enjoyable experience.

With a shopping scene as comprehensive as that of...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


16 Malaysian Things to Buy as Souvenirs in Kuala Lumpur

16 Malaysian Things to Buy as Souvenirs in Kuala Lumpur

"Malaysia, Truly Asia" is what you hear en route to Malaysia. Indeed, there's practically every bit of Asia to be found here, as the country's population is made up primarily of three groups: Malay, Chinese and Indians. Quite expectedly, the diversity of Malaysian handcrafts is...