Central Market: A Hub for Malaysian Art and Heritage | Malaysia Purple Travel Guide
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Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel GuideCentral Market, known locally as Pasar Seni, is a beautifully preserved Art Deco landmark that serves as the premier cultural and artistic shopping hub of Kuala Lumpur. Originally established as a simple wet market in the late 19th century, it was successfully converted into a modern, air-conditioned center for Malaysian handicrafts and fine arts. The building stands as a successful example of adaptive reuse, preserving the heritage of the city while providing a vibrant platform for local artisans.
Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.
free GuruWalk tours
paid Viator tours
Why You Should Visit
It is widely considered the best place to buy authentic Malaysian souvenirs and art in a clean, hassle-free environment. For the self-guided traveler, the market is intuitively organized into zones reflecting the diverse ethnic groups of the country—Malay, Chinese, and Indian. This layout makes it easy to discover cultural goods such as hand-drawn Batik, intricate wood carvings, and traditional jewelry. Unlike the more chaotic street markets nearby, Central Market offers a relaxed pace where you can learn about the origins of the crafts you are purchasing.
What is Special About It?
- The Cultural Zones: The ground floor is divided into specific lanes named Lorong Melayu, Straits Chinese, and Lorong India. Each zone features architecture and products that reflect the heritage of that community, such as Songket textiles in the Malay section or delicate porcelain in the Chinese section.
- Kasturi Walk: This is a covered, pedestrianized outdoor lane located alongside the main building. Opened in 2011, it is marked by a massive Wau Bulan (traditional Malay kite) sculpture at the entrance that rises several stories high. It features kiosks selling local street snacks like Pisang Goreng (fried bananas) and various trinkets.
- Central Market Annex: Located behind the main building, this space hosts more eclectic art galleries, the Illusion 3D Art Museum, and ‘Art Lane’, where you can watch local artists at work or participate in a DIY Batik painting workshop.
- The ‘Wau’ Stage: The outdoor stage frequently hosts free cultural performances, including traditional Malay dances and martial arts (Silat) demonstrations, especially during weekends.
Architecture and History
- Origins as a Wet Market: The market began in 1888, founded by the Chinese Kapitan Yap Ah Loy. It originally served tin miners and local residents as a place to buy meat, fish, and vegetables.
- Art Deco Landmark: The current structure was completed in 1937. It showcases the distinctive Art Deco style of the period, featuring a symmetrical facade, a barrel-vaulted roof, and a pale baby-blue exterior. The building measures approximately 405 feet (123.7 meters) long and 200 feet (60.8 meters) wide.
- A Narrow Escape: In the late 1970s, there were plans to demolish the building to make way for a commercial high-rise. The Malaysian Heritage Society launched a successful preservation campaign, and the building was eventually saved and declared a heritage site in 1985.
- Innovative Lighting: The ‘Calorex’ glass used in the windows was a high-tech feature for the 1930s; it admits 60 percent of natural daylight while blocking 80 percent of the tropical heat.
Self-Guided Information
Category |
Details |
|---|---|
Opening Hours |
Daily, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM. (Kasturi Walk follows the same hours). |
Admission Fee |
Free to enter and explore. |
Dining |
The Precious Old China restaurant on the mezzanine floor is highly recommended for authentic Nyonya (Peranakan) cuisine. There is also a traditional food court on the upper level. |
Getting There |
Located at Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock. It is a 3-minute walk from the Pasar Seni LRT/MRT Station. |
Petaling Street (Chinatown) is only a 5-minute walk away. |
Nearby Landmarks |
Traveler Tip
You should visit the Batik Emporium on the mezzanine floor to find high-quality, hand-painted fabrics that are far superior to the mass-produced versions found in street stalls. If you are looking for a unique experience, you should look for the Doctor Fish Spa on the ground floor, where tiny fish nibble the dead skin from your feet—it is a strange but popular local sensation.
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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel
Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.
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