Markets in Kuala Lumpur: Central Market, Petaling Street

Kuala Lumpur's Central Market was founded in 1888 and is located near Little India and Chinatown in an Art Deco style building convenient to the main bus station and train station.

 Central Market

The market is organized in traditional stalls with sections for each of the main ethnic groups in Malaysia:  Malay, Chinese, and Indian, with a food court on the second floor serving meals made from the ingredients below.

 Central Market

Second floor food court

A few blocks away from Central Market, Petaling Street is located in Chinatown with its own collection of products, food stalls, and restaurants.

Petaling Street market

Petaling Street is covered to provide relief from the sun and rain and the vendors are principally Chinese, with some small representation from the other Malaysian ethnic groups.

 Petaling Street market

I hurry through the merchandise to the food and dining section, to see the food for sale and some of the Malaysian specialties cooked on site for consumption here, such as barbecued fish, asam laksa (spicy noodle soup), and curry noodles.

 Ingredients for sale

 Dining in

The markets in Kuala Lumpur are appealing, vibrant, and fun to stroll through and spend some time viewing the merger of the different cultures that make up this city and country.  And, of course, to watch the people out and about:  shopping, dining, meeting with friends and family.

Waterways, Flowers, and Sculpture in Kuala Lumpur

The Klang River and Gombak River flow into Kuala Lumpur and come together at the Masjid Jamed Mosque.  In the center of the city, the rivers have walkways, parks, and gardens along their banks, providing an attractive and appealing use of the waterways.

 Along the rivers

Many of the walkways and sidewalks in the city are covered to provide relief from both the sun and the occasional passing rainstorm (remember, we're only 350 km / 217 miles from the equator).

Covered walkways

Scattered throughout the city are statues in parks and on the sidewalks.  In Little India, there are both serious sculptures and a collection of Dutuk Lat's whimsical art depicting everyday scenes of ordinary life.

Serious art

 Whimsical works of Dutak Lat

 And, there are water features all over, providing great displays and more relief from the heat, including mist on the river near the Masjid Jamek where the two rivers meet.

Fountains and water features

 Mist on the River

The floral displays are great.  There is nothing like a short distance to the equator to encourage orchids and other beautiful tropical flowers to flourish.  The arrangements are stunning and decorate inside (and outside) spaces.

 Tropical floral arrangements

I'm truly enjoying just wandering through Kuala Lumpur and viewing the sites of the new city and the old city, all existing alongside each other in modern Malaysia.