AN INDEPENDENT PERSPective


 It's so important to be true to yourself            "
khaliladis.com
  • Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Services
  • Media
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Awards/Accolades
  • Clients
  • Portfolio
  • Contact
  • Corporate Responsibility

Neighbourhood watch: Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur

1/21/2019

0 Comments

 
​With the Chinese New Year approaching, what better way to soak in the festivity than exploring Kuala Lumpur’s historic Chinatown district? 

By Khalil Adis
Picture
Exploring every nook and cranny that Chinatown has to offer is never a boring affair. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.
Whether you love it or hate it, Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown district has a colourful personality that attracts both Malaysians and tourists alike. While Malaysians lament about the loss of its authenticity and some have chosen to avoid it altogether, this vibrant area has its own quirks that make it oh-so-charming thanks to the many rustic shophouses. Here is a quick guide on exploring Chinatown.

#1: Plaza Rakyat LRT station
Picture
The platform at Plaza Rakyat LRT station. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.
Plaza Rakyat LRT station is an elevated station along the Ampang and Sri Petaling Line. Situated next to a massive proposed mixed-use development that has since been abandoned, the whole area unfortunately reeks of urban decay. Once you exit from the station you will likely come across the occasional beggars and the rancid smell emanating from the air - not for the faint-hearted.  Taking the LRT station is ideal if you intend to head to Menara Maybank or to savour the street food at Jalan Sultan as it is located within the vicinity.

#2: Pasar Seni MRT station
Picture
The newly opened Pasar Seni MRT station provides seamless access to Pasar Seni LRT station. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.
Pasar Seni MRT Station is an underground station that is integrated with the existing Pasar Seni LRT station serving the Kelana Jaya LRT Line. Located in the heritage area of Chinatown, Pasar Seni is located within walking distance to backpackers’ lodges, boutique hotels and the tourist trap flea marts of Petaling Street. 

There are plans to also connect the station to the iconic Central Market. An added feature is a bus interchange located just above the station that will connect buses from Kuala Lumpur to Petaling Jaya. 

#3: Petaling Street
Picture
The iconic Petaling Street signage. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.
Petaling Street is a must visit street if you want to buy branded knock-offs ranging from bags to watches. Ironically, while this is the heart of Chinatown, the vendors selling the wares are mostly foreigners comprising Bangladeshi workers. The imitation watches, in particular, are rather pricey and do not last long. You are better off buying the real deal while taking in the rampant piracy that occurs along this stretch. 

#4: Pasar Karat
Picture
Vendors plying their trade at Pasar Karat. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.
Known locally as ‘Thieves Market’, Pasar Karat is a treasure trove for antique and trinket lovers as well as the occasional luxury goods that are believed to have been stolen. From Montblanc luggage bags to second-hand electronic goods, Pasar Karat is KL’s version of the now-defunct Singapore’s Sungei Road. Pasar Karat is open in the wee hours of the morning at around 4 am and shuts down by 10 am. Be sure to come early before the goods run out.

#5: Food street at Jalan Sultan
Picture
There are many food stalls located along Jalan Sultan. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.
Located within the Petaling Street enclave, the food street comes alive at night with a serving of local Malay dishes, mamaks as well as Chinese cuisines in a fuss-free alfresco setting. If the dark and dirty alley makes your stomach turn, fret not as you can opt to dine at the slightly upmarket Nando’s or KFC located nearby.

#6: Weng Hoa Flower Boutique
No 1 Lorong Hang Lekir
Off Jalan Hang Lekir
50000 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Website: 
www.wenghoa.com/home​
Opening hours: 8 am to 10 pm

Picture
Ready made colourful bouquet of flowers on display. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.
Forget overpriced flowers sold at upmarket malls. Instead, head here for fresh plants and roses sold at wholesale prices! There are even ready-made bouquets for you to choose from. Ladies and wedding planners will definitely find delight in the freezer room located at the back of the shop where you can choose from the many arrays of local and exported roses as well as other exotic flowers. In addition, you can buy flower petals and kaffir lime to cleanse your chakras for that montly flower bath ritual. For the freshest produce, head here when the store opens.

#7: Central Market
Lot 3.04-3.06, Central Market Annexe, 
Jalan Hang Kasturi, 
50050 Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia
Website: 
www.centralmarket.com.my​
Telephone: 03-2031 0399/5399/7399 

Picture
The art deco facade of Central Market. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.
Central Market is the place to go to for slightly upmarket goods within an air-conditioned environment. Housed within an art deco facade, Central Market first started out as a wet market in 1888 but has since been repurposed as a one-stop centre for Malaysian batik, souvenirs, collectables and handicraft. From textiles to tableware, the choices are endless. 

#8 Kasturi Walk
Picture
The kite-inspired signage of Kasturi Walk. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.
​Kasturi Walk is located alongside the main Central Market building. This newly transformed, pedestrianised and covered walkway features an al fresco ambience with a wide variety of stalls selling local snacks and exquisite souvenirs.

Summary
Picture
Shophouses and office buildings dominate the property type at Chinatown. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.
Price: According to Brickz, the median price for office buildings and shophouses here are around RM858 per sq ft and RM1,056 per sq ft respectively.

The good: Buying a property here will mean constant human traffic from both locals and tourists alike as Chinatown is rich in popular tourism landmarks such as Central Market and Petaling Street. The quaint rows of heritage shophouses house hip boutique hotels to quirky cafes and restaurants that attract the cool, creative type. The area is also a haven to some of KL’s famous hawker food such as Shin Kee Beef Noodle near to Central Market and the birthplace of Hokkien mee, Restoran Kim Lian Hee located at the junction of Jalan Petaling and Jalan Hang Lekir. All these attractions make it suited for Airbnb type of accommodations. 

The bad: ​If you intend to buy a property here, you are only limited to office buildings or shophouses. Land here is extremely scarce and there are no existing or future residential projects in the pipeline. As such, this area is a no go for most investors unless you are an institutional investor or have deep pockets.
0 Comments

    Khalil Adis

    An independent analysis from yours truly

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    December 2016

    Categories

    All
    121 Residences
    ABSD
    Affordable Homes
    Airbnb
    Allianz Real Estate
    Ang Mo Kio
    Astaka
    Astaka Holdings Limited
    Avenue South Residence
    Aviation Park
    Bandar Malaysia
    Bank Negara Malaysia
    Bayan Lepas LRT Line
    Bedok
    Below Market Value Property
    Branded Residences
    Bright Hill
    BTO Flats
    Budget 2019
    Budget 2020
    Bukit Chagar
    Bukit Panjang
    Cagamas Berhad
    Cairnhill 16
    Causeway Point
    Cheonggyecheon
    Chinatown Kuala Lumpur
    Circle Line
    City Plaza
    Cochrane MRT Station
    COVID19
    CPF
    Cross Island Line
    Defu
    En-bloc
    Energy Saving Tips
    Estate Planning
    Excelsior International School
    Family Violence
    First Home
    Foon Yew High School
    Forest City
    Geylang Serai
    Geylang Serai Bazaar
    GlaxoSmithKline
    Glomac Berhad
    Government Land Sales (GLS) Programme
    Greater Southern Waterfront
    HDB
    Health City Novena
    Heng Swee Keat
    High Speed Rail
    Home Mortgage
    Home Ownership Campaign 2019
    Home Renovation
    Home Rental
    Hougang
    Ibrahim International District
    IKEA Cheras
    Imperial Jade Residenz
    Interior Design
    Iskandar Halal Park
    Iskandar Malaysia
    Iskandar Regional Development Authority
    JB Food Trail
    JB-Woodlands RTS Link
    Johor Bahru
    Johor Bahru City Council
    Johor Bahru City Square
    Johor Property
    Johor Real Estate
    Joint Tenancy
    Joo Chiat Complex
    JPPH
    Jurong Lake District
    Jurong Regional Line
    Jurong West
    Keppel REIT
    Khaw Boon Wan
    KLCC
    KOMTAR JBCC
    KTM Terminal Skypark
    Kuala Lumpur Property
    Kuala Lumpur Real Estate
    Land Transport Authority
    LED Lighting
    Lim Guan Eng
    London Property Market
    London Real Estate
    Loyang
    LRT Bandar Utama-Klang Line (Klang Valley LRT Line 3)
    Malaysia Property
    Malaysia Real Estate
    Masterskill University College Of Health Sciences
    Media Interview
    Melaka Property
    Melaka Real Estate
    Menara Maybank
    Merdeka Generation Package
    Ministry Of Finance Malaysia
    Ministry Of Social And Family Development
    MM2H
    Mutiara Rini Sdn Bhd
    MyTOWN Shopping Centre
    National Day Rally 2019
    Negeri Sembilan Property
    Negeri Sembilan Real Estate
    Novena
    Ocean Financial Centre
    One Bukit Senyum
    One Cochrane
    Overleveraging
    Oxley Towers Kuala Lumpur City Centre
    P2P Funding
    Pan Island Link
    Park Nova
    Park Place Residences At PLQ
    Pasar Karat
    Pasar Seni MRT Station
    Pasir Gudang
    Pasir Gudang Hospital
    Pasir Ris
    Pasir Ris East
    Paya Lebar Central
    Paya Lebar Quarter
    Paya Lebar Square
    Penang Property
    Penang Real Estate
    Penang Transport Master Plan
    Pengerang Rapid Project
    Persada-johor
    Petaling-street
    Plaza-rakyat-lrt-station
    Plp-architecture
    Plq-mall
    Pr1ma
    Ptptn
    Public-relations
    Punggol
    Punggol-digital-district
    Rapid-transit-system-rts-link
    Renovation
    Selangor-property
    Selangor-real-estate
    Sengkang
    Serangoon-north
    Seri-alam-properties-sdn-bhd
    Singapore-budget-2019
    Singapore-budget-2020
    Singapore-economy
    Singapore-general-election
    Singapore Luxury Property Market
    Singapore Office Market
    Singapore Property
    Singapore Property Market
    Singapore Real Estate
    Singapore Retrenchments
    SME Co-Investment Fund III
    Sri Geylang Serai
    Suasana Iskandar Malaysia
    Sungai Buloh Kajang Line
    Sungai Buloh - Kajang Line (SBK Line)
    Sungai Buloh Serdang Putrajaya Line
    Tampines
    Tampines North
    Tanjong Katong Complex
    Tavistock
    Teck Ghee
    The Workers' Party
    Thomson East Coast Line
    Thomson-East Coast Line
    Thomson-East Coast MRT Line
    Tokyo Property Market
    Tokyo Real Estate
    Transit Oriented Development
    TREC
    TriTower Residence
    Tun Razak Exchange
    UM Land
    Universiti Kuala Lumpur
    Universiti Teknologi Mara
    URA Draft Master Plan 2014
    URA Draft Master Plan 2019
    Urban Redevelopment Authority
    US-China Trade War
    Vivian Balakrishnan
    Waterway Point
    Wisma Geylang Serai
    Woodland Regional Centre
    Woodlands Central
    Woodlands North Coast
    Woodlands North MRT Station
    Woodlands Regional Centre
    Yishun
    Y Waterway@Punggol

    RSS Feed

Picture

100 Peck Seah Street
#08-14
PS 100
Singapore (0793333)
Email: ACCOUNTS@KHALILADIS.COM
Phone: +65 8201 9254

What the market is saying

"Hi thank you so much. Keep updating." - Sharveena

"I bought your new book through Popular Bookfest in KLCC yesterday. I just finished my reading. I like it so much as it saved my time to search those information that I have been looking for it. Thank you for writing this book. I believed you have spent a lot of time to prepare it". - PY Chan

Want more bite-sized news?

    Subscribe Today!

Submit
  • Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Services
  • Media
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Awards/Accolades
  • Clients
  • Portfolio
  • Contact
  • Corporate Responsibility