Pictures of the floating world

Kuala Lumpur Chinatown: spots not to miss

By Anna Purpurpurpur

Kuala Lumpur celebrates the heritage of Malay, Chinese and Indian populations, and Chinatown is one of the most distinctive and colourful neighbourhood of the city. It’s a buzzing and lovely area with modern and historical sights and many cafes. Let’s see the most important of Chinatown Kuala Lumpur!

Petaling Street

Petaling street is the main market street of Chinatown, so probably you’d like to start your visit from here. It is lined up with shops selling everything from fake Dior and Chanel bags to local delicacies and fruits.

There are also a few temples to visit in the area, such as Sri Mahamariamman Temple, the city’s oldest Hindu temple, and Sin Sze Si Ya Temple, the oldest Taoist temple (see below).

Old Post Office

The old post office on Jalan Panggong is another spot worth seeing in the Chinatown of Kuala Lumpur. This old building was erected in 1911 in a mixed Tudor and Malay style by the (British) Federated Malay States Postal Authority. It served as an additional office to the Main Post Office located on the Independence Square. Its image has even been used on a Malaysian stamp! 

Unfortunately, in the last few years, it has fallen into decay, with a few restaurants opening and closing down on this site. 

Kwai Chai Hong

Kwai Chai Hong Alley near Lorong Panggung in Chinatown is a must, it’s so colourful and special! I’ve heard a few versions of its name’s translation.

One refers to the mistresses that lived here and collected money from the neighbourhood, and the other mentions’ Little Demons’, or naughty kids who lived here, and finally, it might be linked to some socially awkward elements and a gang who had meetups here. It’s a pretty place with a vintage aesthetic and lanterns hanging up from bamboo.

The murals represent daily life in the 1960s and some scenes from movies like Kung Fu Hustle. Also, it’s home to one of the oldest lampposts in Kuala Lumpur here, dating to 1903!

Sin Sze Si Ya Temple

The Sin Sze Si Ya Temple is the oldest Taoist temple in Kuala Lumpur. It was founded in 1864 by Yap Ah Loy, the third Kapitan Cina. It’s a small but authentic temple with fortune tellers and an office table.

Overall, it’s a cinematic place with incense filling the air and red lanterns hanging from above. 

Cafes in Chinatown Kuala Lumpur

There are lots of excellent local cafes in Chinatown of Kuala Lumpur. We loved Yew Yew with great drinks and desserts and the Jamboo store (a short walk from the Chinatown), where a green hairy hand gives you a drink to take away literally from a hole in the wall, and there are murals everywhere.

Bonus: what else?

If you’d like to explore more of Chinese influences in Kuala Lumpur, come to Thean Hou Temple! It’s is probably the most impressive temple albeit a modern one.

It was sponsored by the local Hainanese community and built in 1989 in Robson Heights. The temple unites Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism in its architecture and is dedicated to the Chinese goddess of the sea. Many come here to worship the goddess of mercy, Guan Yin.

Although it’s pretty modern, it looks fantastic, and you can observe an incredible panorama from it.

There are some administrative offices (you can register for marriage here), shops, and an alley with zodiac signs.

We also admired the Chinese restaurant Yen in our W Hotel: the unlimited Dim Sum brunch there was truly fantastic.

You might also like my other blogs about Asia.

Hope you loved my blog,
Yours,
Anna xxx

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