When you visit Kuala Lumpur, or the capital of Malaysia, you will no doubt want to include several key sites and attractions on your travel itinerary. One of the dominant landmarks in the city is the Petronas Twin Towers and sky bridge. You also will want to see the KL Tower. Both structures offer excellent panoramic city views.
A Place That Never Sleeps
In order to stay on ground level though, a visit to Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur is in order. Chinatown in the city is a place that never sleeps and therefore is a vibrant, bustling, and cheerful part of the metropolis.
A Bargain Hunter’s Dream Location
Chinatown, which is based in the famous Petaling Street or Chee Cheong Kai (Starch Factory Street), was once a producer of tapioca pudding. However, today this section produces shopping bargains galore and therefore is a bargain hunter’s dream location. Featured items include Chinese herbs and imitation merchandise.
An Exciting Place to Be at Night
If you visit the main market location or Petaling Street at night, the whole space is transformed into a lively night-time market. During that time, vendors open up their stalls, offering an array of products at prices that can only be described as dirt-cheap.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
This type of atmosphere is contrasted by a luxury-type accommodation when you book 5-star hotel room in Malaysia. However, this type of contrast is what makes a trip to the capital and Chinatown in particular a once-in-a-lifetime experience. When you remove yourself for a while from your elegant accommodation, you can immerse yourself in the Chinatown experience.
Some Temples You Have to See
Just around the corner from this shopping paradise are Kuala Lumpur’s historic temples. Most of the structures have been standing for over 100 years. For example, the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, which was constructed in 1873, is the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia. The Kuan Ti Temple and Chan See Shu Yuen Temple feature exquisite examples of Chinese architecture, open courtyards, embellished roofs, and balanced pavilions.
Chinatown Dining
Besides shopping for goods in Chinatown, you can find an array of food too. The area is filled with hawker stalls and Chinese eateries that sell a variety of delicacies. Foods include anything from steamed buns to seafood treats. Naturally, you will want to sample the cuisine as the scents are simply too inviting. Needless to say, you won’t go hungry as most of these places stay open until the wee hours of the morning.
Nightlife in Chinatown
The nightlife in Chinatown is also in a category of its own. That’s because night-time activities are not based on entertainment that feature alcohol, dancing, and music. Instead, the vibrant hues and colours of the vendor stalls are part of the nightlife culture. The bars that are featured offer laid-back environments so that patrons can chill out and relax instead.
Whether you want to stroll through the area or photograph the scenes, this popular tourist attraction is a must-see site on a Kuala Lumpur itinerary or trip.
