Hotels near Central Market (Pasar Seni)

Central Market (Pasar Seni) is a 1937 Art Deco market hall just south of Merdeka Square, originally KL's main wet market and now repurposed as a heritage arts and crafts mall. The pale-blue colonial facade is one of KL's iconic photographs. Inside, 350+ small shops sell Malaysian batik, hand-painted Peranakan ceramics, wood carvings, songket textiles, and pewter work from across Malaysia's states.

The Annexe Gallery (a converted warehouse next door) hosts independent art exhibitions, gigs, and Malaysian indie-pop concerts. Kasturi Walk along the eastern side is a pedestrian street with rotating event stalls. The Chinatown (Petaling Street) entrance is 5 minutes walk south. Most shops accept credit cards. Open daily 10:00-22:00. Free to wander. Bargaining is mild; expect 10-20% off marked prices.

Pro Tip: The Old China Cafe at 11 Jalan Balai Polis 5 minutes south is a 1930s Hainanese coffeeshop that retains all its original fixtures - the must-eat lunch stop near Central Market. The Hainanese chicken rice is the local specialty at RM15.