Petaling Street Market Tours and Activities

Bargain hard and arrive hungry at this lively market in KL's Chinatown.

Shopaholics and foodies alike should make a bee-line to Petaling Street, the vibrant market that runs all day and all night in the middle of Chinatown. Popular with locals and tourists, there's never a quiet moment here, thanks to the stall-holders shouting about their wares accompanied by the sound of sizzling woks. Even if you're not keen on the products on sale such as DVDs, bags, clothes and watches – and all are likely to be counterfeit - it's still worth heading here for the people-watching and nearby attractions.Petaling Street has been a shopping area since the late 19th century. From its original incarnation as an outdoor food market, the market has been redeveloped into a pedestrian-only zone with a roof to ward off the sun and rain.When it comes to haggling, remember that you should bargain hard but fairly – if you're really not interested in buying what's on offer, don't engage in the process! It's best to treat bargaining as the game it is, and if both buyer and seller finish off happy, all the better. Remember too that whatever your friendly stallholder might tell you, that Louis Vuitton handbag or Rolex watch is not real, and might break by the time you have to head to the airport.If all that shopping has given you an appetite, you're in luck as there are some great examples of local cuisine to tempt you. Many of the best stalls don't open until nightfall – just follow the queues to find the local favourites. Look out for Hokkien mee noodles, the spicy and sour assam laksa and BBQ fish.Before you leave the area, it's worth exploring the quieter and more traditional streets that surround Petaling Street. Kuala Lumpur's ethnic diversity is on full display here as nearby is Sri Mahamariamman, one of Malaysia's oldest Hindu temples, Jamek Mosque and the Chinese Guan Di Temple, and they’re all within walking distance of each other.Petaling Street is in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Pasar Seni is the nearest LRT station and from there it's a five minute walk.