China in Kuala Lumpur

Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur is the heart of the city’s Chinatown, as the name implies the area is the home of a number of ethnic Chinese residents and shops selling souvenirs and good with Chinese flavor are abundant. The area is a bargains hunters paradise especially during the day time market, it is must see area for an adventurous touristy as the stark contrast of modern shopping malls with Chinatown’s ethnic flavored flea markets are a refreshing change.

Petaling Street is well known among locals for its large number of small shops and stalls that peddle counterfeit good such as wrist watches, t-shorts, belts, wallets and handbags. Rolex or Seiko watches and Louis Vuitton or Gucci handbags can be found quite easily and for a far lesser price than at up market shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur. Bargaining is almost second nature here and haggling is a very common sight, however keep a sharp look out for thieves and con men.

The area attract shoppers looking for bargain items various items can be bought cheaply here like clothes, accessories, sunglasses, handbags and wrist watches. The area is also notoriously popular for its shops that sell pirated DVD and Audio CD’s, though the practice is illegal in Malaysia it continues unhindered in Petaling Street.

The area usually gets very crowded especially on weekends and holidays so be prepared to face the hustle and bustle of the throng of bargain hunting shoppers. However for most tourists the noise and the somewhat rowdy crowd is all a part of the atmosphere of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.

It is also a great place to visit to buy souvenirs, a number of shops that sell traditional Chinese handicrafts and art can be found quite easily here. Shops that trade Chinese medicinal supplies and beautifully crafted gold jewelry are situated on Petaling Street. Traditional Chinese cuisine and snacks can bought at wayside food stalls or restaurants. Kuala Lumpur hotel accommodation at affordable prices that is only a little way from Chinatown is the Citrus Hotel, Kuala Lumpur which is a chic modern hotel.