Malaysia Destinations | Places of Interest in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur > Chinatown (Petaling Street)

What are the reasons to visit?

Test your bargaining skills and be ready to get the cheapest goods you ever found.

KL's Chinatown or Petaling Street is a bargain hunter's paradise with a bustling and colourful street of shops, restaurants and hawker stalls in its distinctly oriental atmosphere. The two main streets at the chinatown are Jalan Sultan and Jalan Petaling.

The original Chinatown of KL was established in Petaling Street area as a settlement site for the Chinese community during the colonial days. For years, the traditional atmosphere is maintained with a Buddhist temple and shops selling incense, gems, traditional medicines as well as famous Chinese eateries.

Today, you can find almost anything ranging from gems, incense, toys, t-shirt to many selection of imitation goods like watch, handbag, VCD/DVD and other interesting stuffs. The display price could be very high. However, if you are skillful enough, you would not have no problem getting a good bargain price.

The vendors will spread their wares on the street with more items to look for early in the afternoon till late evening. The streets are closed for traffic. Therefore, by just wandering around the area with its spetacular sighs and sounds is fun and enjoyable.

GETTING THERE:

Take the Putra LRT to the Pasar Seni Station. Chinatown is a 10-minute walk away.

TIPS:

1. DO NOT pay what they ask for.

Bargain for at least 1/3 of the display price. If they refuse, pretend you don't care and walk away. Sometimes they will call you back if the price is not too low. If not try out at other stalls because there are many stalls selling the same goods. If other stalls also refuse, then maybe you should increase a bit of your bargain price.

2. Go in the morning.

It is less crowded in the morning so you can expect to get a cheaper price. Besides, they are some Chinese who believe that they must close the deal from their first customer else the business for the whole day will be bad. Therefore, try your luck, you might be that first lucky customer.

Things to look up for:

Designer replicas, Gucci winter fur-lined coats, t-shirts, leather goods, jewelery, accessories, also brilliant copies of latest before-release-in-Europe DVDs/CDs, even cheap Cable TV remote controls for RM15, mobile phone batteries and chargers, covers, etc. etc.

Fake watches like Gucci, Tag-Heuer a nd other branded watches can be found here with prices ranging from RM13 to RM150++ for better quality watches.

DANGERS:

1. Beware of pickpockets

Always hold on to your wallet/purse and bag. Make sure you have your bag close to you. Don't wear the bag on your back. NEVER show your money to public.

When you eat, never put your cell phones or wallets on the table.

2. Beware of rude vendors

Some vendors are very rude and aggresive. They are cases where fight happened between the vendors and tourists. If they refuse the price you offer, do not be too harsh, else unhappiness might happen.

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