Petaling Street: The Vibrant Heart of KL’s Chinatown | Malaysia Purple Travel Guide

(map, reviews)

Petaling Street is the chaotic, colorful, and completely enthralling heart of the Chinatown of Kuala Lumpur. By day, it functions as a busy commercial street, but as night falls, it transforms into an intensely atmospheric night market and street food haven. The market is sheltered beneath a massive green transparent roof, installed in 2003, which is affectionately known as the ‘Green Dragon’. This canopy spans the length of the street, protecting shoppers from the tropical sun and rain.

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.

Why You Should Visit

This is a high-energy sensory experience—a place where history, commerce, and legendary street food collide. It is the perfect destination for self-guided travelers looking to experience the gritty, authentic pulse of Old Kuala Lumpur and practice their haggling skills. Whether you are looking for a pair of ‘designer’ sneakers or a bowl of noodles that has been prepared the same way for three generations, Petaling Street offers a raw look at the survival of traditional trades in a modern metropolis.

Do not forget to walk around in Chinatown for more high-energy sensory experiences.

What is Special About It?

• The ‘Starch Factory’ Legacy: Locally, the street is known in Cantonese as Chee Cheong Kai (Starch Factory Street). This name refers to its history in the 1870s when the Chinese Kapitan Yap Ah Loy opened a tapioca mill here to provide employment for miners whose tin mines had been flooded during the civil war.
• The Green Dragon Canopy: The iconic green roof is not just decorative; it was a multi-million dollar engineering project designed to revitalize the area. It allows the market to remain active even during heavy monsoon downpours.
• Heritage Archways: Two grand Chinese-style arches mark the main entrances of the street at Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Jalan Sultan. These arches are popular photography spots and serve as the traditional gateways to the district.
• Kwai Chai Hong: Located in a back alley just a 2-minute walk from the main market, this restored ‘Little Ghost Lane’ features interactive murals and QR codes that play audio stories about the lives of early Chinese settlers. It is one of the most Instagram-worthy spots in the area.

History and Cultural Facts

• A Multi-Cultural Stronghold: While predominantly Chinese, the area is a microcosm of Malaysian diversity. Within a 500-foot (152-meter) radius, you will find the Sri Mahamariamman Temple (the oldest Hindu temple in KL) and the Sin Sze Si Ya Temple (the oldest Taoist temple in the city), coexisting peacefully.
• Cultural Significance: Petaling Street has remained the commercial anchor for the Chinese community for over a century. Many of the shophouses lining the street date back to the early 1900s and feature unique architectural details hidden above the modern stall awnings.
• Must-Try Foods:
• Air Mata Kucing: Look for the famous bronze-colored cart selling ‘Cat's Eyes’ water—a sweet, chilled drink made from dried longan, monk fruit, and winter melon.
• Madam Tang Muah Chee: A legendary stall serving chewy glutinous rice balls coated in finely ground peanuts and sugar.
• Kim Lian Kee: Located at the intersection of Jalan Petaling and Jalan Hang Lekir, this is where the dark, charcoal-fried Hokkien Mee was purportedly invented.
• Hon Kee Porridge: Famous since 1949 for its raw fish porridge, where the heat of the congee cooks the delicate slices of fish.

Self-Guided Information

Traveler Tip

You should look up while walking. Many visitors only notice the stalls at eye level, but the second stories of the buildings feature beautiful, flaking colonial-era shutters and intricate masonry that tell the story of the wealth of the early merchants. If you need a break from the chaos, you should seek out the hidden ‘speakeasy’ bars and cafes tucked into the upper floors of the old shophouses, such as Merchant's Lane or PS150, which offer a sophisticated retreat from the market below.

Back to your Self-Guided Kuala Lumpur Walking Tour

Where do you want to go now?

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.

Other popular Purple Travel Guides you may be interested in:

Like this Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel Guide? Pin these for later: