Hotels near Petaling Street (Chinatown)

Petaling Street is the heart of Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown - a covered pedestrian market street that has been the city's main Chinese commercial district since the 1850s tin-mining era. The market hall was reroofed in 2003 with a green pagoda-style canopy creating an atmospheric covered shopping strip. Stalls sell counterfeit watches, leather goods, traditional Chinese medicines, dried fruits, and silver jewellery. Aggressive vendors are part of the experience.

Around the market, the Guan Di Temple (1888, Chinese Taoist temple, free entry) and Sri Mahamariamman Temple (the most important Hindu temple in KL, 1873) anchor the southern end. The Madras Lane Hokkien noodle stall and the original Hokkien Mee at Restoran Kim Lian Kee (operating since 1927) are local food landmarks. Market open 10:00-22:00. Bargaining expected; start at 30-40% of asking price. Cash preferred.

Pro Tip: Skip the market shopping (mostly fakes) and focus on the food - the Hokkien Mee stir-fried black noodles at Kim Lian Kee on Jalan Petaling are the original KL recipe (RM15). The Lou Wong Beef Noodles stall on the same street has equal historic status.