Central Market Kuala Lumpur is one of the oldest and most vibrant markets in the city. With its buzzing atmosphere and abundance of traditional crafts, fabrics, souvenirs and other goods, it’s an absolute must-visit for anyone exploring Malaysia’s capital city. This article provides a guide to Central Market’s unique history, insider tips and recommended places to go, ensuring that you make the most out of your visit.
Central Market, also known as Pasar Seni, is one of the most important landmarks in Kuala Lumpur due to its central location and rich history. Built in 1888, Central Market is a wet market where locals came to buy fruits, vegetables and other essentials for their daily life and socialize with neighbours. Today, it’s still an important stop for many locals and tourists alike.
Kuala Lumpur’s Central Market is a shining example of the city’s passion for art, with the transformation of Central Market Annexe offering a host of eclectic art galleries. Just behind the main building lies the Annexe, with its Illusion 3D Art Museum, Art House Gallery, and Central Market Art Lane – a corner of ten individual studios displaying fascinating works by local artists.
Nestled beside the main building, the newly constructed Kasturi Walk opened its doors in 2011, giving visitors the chance to stroll along a pedestrianized, sheltered walkway. With its delightful al fresco ambience, Kasturi Walk offers a tantalizing array of local snacks and exquisite souvenirs to explore.
Hidden beneath its magnificent art-deco façade lies a vibrant world of over 300 local stores and eateries. Central Market Kuala Lumpur is the perfect place to experience Malaysia’s distinct culture, offering a wide range of handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs, collectables and eateries all with their unique Malaysian twist. Both locals and tourists flock to its doors to immerse themselves in its rich heritage.
Central Market is open from 10-8 pm from Monday to Sunday. If you are planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur and looking for shopping for souvenirs, then Central Market is the right place for you. You can also enjoy local delicacies here and shop for authentic Malaysian souvenirs. At night, head to the nearby night markets in Chinatown or Little India, where you will find even higher prices and a wider selection of local goods.
How To Get to Central Market Kuala Lumpur
You can find the nearest LRT & MRT station nearby to Central Market. Take the Pasar Seni LRT or Pasar Seni MRT and go for a 5 minutes walk to reach Central Market. If you are taking a bus, the bus station is just nearby. If you are driving, there is open-air parking just in front of the Central Market building, but make sure you are there early in the morning as the parking space will be full by noon.
Best Places to Eat Near Central Market
There are many nice places you can find when you are looking for local food. If you are a cafe hopper, check out some of the popular cafes in Kuala Lumpur including Light Capture Cafe KL, Timothy Cafe and LOKL Coffee which is located at Jalan Tun H S Lee, which takes about a 10 to 15 minutes to walk from Central Market. You can also walk to Petaling Street in the evening to enjoy local street foods, and 10 minutes away from the best bars & vintage cafes in the Petaling Street area.
Nearest Attractions to Central Market
The nearest attractions to Central Market Kuala Lumpur are the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, River of Life & Petaling Street which are just 10 minutes walking distance. There are some of the best photoshoot locations in Kuala Lumpur if you are interested to snap photos. You can also hire a personal travel photographer to take amazing travel photographs for you. The area is usually packed with locals and tourists on weekends. You can take on a tour around the Colonial Heritage Walk to get deep into its history.
Popular tourist attractions nearby Central Market include:
– Little India
– River of Life
– Kuala Lumpur Bird Park
– Butterfly Park
– Petaling Street
– Sultan Abdul Samad Building
– National Museum of Malaysia
– Dataran Merdeka
