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!

There were many things you could buy from here, from the fake leather goods, the “Rolex” watches, inexpensive dresses, shoes, fabrics and souvenirs. Most of the branded items were fake. That’s why all the prices for the “branded” were very inexpensive. Most of them has a low quality feels but looks original. Don’t forget to bargain the price, bargain for half of the price they are offered to you. Compared to budget market in Indonesia the price was not that cheap, but if you are from ‘Developed Country’ the price would be cheap for you. If you like Chinese food, this place is a heaven for you.

I do not recommend you to buy a pirate DVD movie here, because even they sell the newest movie and with a dirty cheap price, the quality of the movie were mostly pretty bad. If you want to buy the movies please try to buy the movies which is one or two years older, usually the DVD quality were better. If you are a DVD quality junkie and you do mind with the pictures and the sound quality, just buy the TV series movies like Smallville, Heroes or The Sopranos, they were mostly have a very good DVD quality.

This place is not for you who likes to hang around the mall area, or a comfortable places with a cold air conditioning. This place is also not for you who bring a kids. Put your kids at the Kids Centre or leave them at the hotel, since the place is very crowded and is very difficult to breath and move around. Beware also with the pick-pockets, my friend once told me not to bring wallet, camera or a bag with a lot of money in it. But I have been to this place 4 times with a camera around my neck and a wallet half full with money, nothing happen. Maybe I just get lucky.

Getting there is easy. Use Putra LRT Train and stop at the Pasar Seni Station. From there you can just walk to Petaling Sreet.

Video of Petaling Street