Petaling Street Kuala Lumpur
I am from Jakarta, Indonesia. Jakarta doesn’t have China Town. Even they have maybe about 10% Chinese population, Jakarta is still doesn’t have a China Town. So, I didn’t have any idea about China Town looks like back in 2006. But I do have seen a movie about China Town in Hollywood movie, so maybe it gives me a little idea in my mind about China Town.
My first experience with China Town was in Kuala Lumpur, in 2006. I went to Petaling Street, that’s the busiest place of China Town in Kuala Lumpur. It was afternoon around 3pm, and my mind was fulfilled with my imaginary thing about China Town, but then I felt disappointed, that place was so boring, so dull, and not so many activities around it. I wonder why. Then I decided to came back at evening around 7pm, and boy, that place had change into the real China Town and very lively. A lot of street hawkers was selling many strange food, vendors selling and yelling, and people were everywhere and very crowded. This place had changed from the dull place at noon into bustling night market at evening. That’s why I recommend you to come at evening, start from 7pm to Petaling Street. Please don’t come at noon!
Central Market Kuala Lumpur
This is the place where you can buy some souvenirs, handicraft, artwork or t-shirt to bring to your home country. It is located at the border of China Town, so it would be a good place to start to walk around the city. The room is fully air conditioning, and also has a nice atmosphere to walk and shop. The price is relatively cheap, most of them are already has a price labelled on it, but don’t worry, you can also bargain until you have a reasonable price.
There are also a food court at level 2, mostly they are selling Malaysian food. Upstairs, you can also find several pieces of furniture, traditional Batik t-shirt and Sarong. If you bring your own car at week end, be prepare to find another parking place outside the Central market, because the parking place is not to big. You don’t need to buy a ticket to go inside Central Market. In the week end the place will be crowded by local’s and tourists, and sometimes the place also looks dirty.
It’s easy to go here, try using the Putra LRT train, stop at the Pasar Seni Station and then you can walk from there. The distance from the Pasar Seni Station to Central market is about 200 metres. If you want to see more pictures of Central Market and also want to buy it as a souvenirs please go to this link.
Petronas Twin Towers Tour
Petronas Twin Towers is, and always has been the magnet of tourism in Malaysia. It was built in 1996 and has been visited by millions of people around the world. It had been the tallest twin towers building since 1998 until beaten by Taipei 101 building in 2004. It is located at the heart of Kuala Lumpur city.
Petronas Twin Towers also has a tour. It started on Tuesday until Sunday, and it close on Monday. Tickets were free but availability is on a first come first serve basis and only 1700 passes are given out daily. The ticket counter is open from 8.30am until 10.30 am and usually you have to wait for a long queue. That’s why it would be better if you come to the ticket counter before 8.30 am. If you coming to the ticket counter at 9 am, you will get the ticket to enter the petronas towers around 11 or 12. Read more