Immerse in local Kuala Lumpur life in the suburban neighborhood of Chow Kit, also known as Little Jakarta for its large Indonesian community. The area has an international flair that’s found in its restaurants, shops and museums. Once the city’s red-light district, today it is a well-respected, vibrant area.
Start your day at Chow Kit Market, which contains one of Malaysia’s largest wet markets and one of the few that still survives. Find it between Jalan Raja Laut and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman roads. Both a wet and dry market, the area starts bustling early in the morning as vendors starts selling meat, seafood, vegetables, tropical fruit, textiles, souvenirs and more.
Move away from the frenzy of the market and take a walk in the nearby Perdana Botanical Gardens, Kuala Lumpur’s first large park. Explore 227 acres (91 hectares) of green space. Then, back in Chow Kit, move on to the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, on the edge of Chinatown. Founded in 1873, it is one of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest Hindu temples and an important place of worship for Indian immigrants.
Museums enthusiasts will enjoy diving into Islamic history at the Islamic Arts Museum, where you’ll find more than 7,000 artifacts from around the world in 12 galleries. Then, visit the Bank Negara Malaysia Gallery, which includes a Children’s Gallery, the Economics Gallery, the Islamic Finance Gallery, the Art Gallery and more, all illustrating Malaysian economic development.
Instead of driving, get around Chow Kit via the KL Monorail or the Ampang Line light rail. There are several accommodation choices at varying price points. The airport is 37 miles (59.5 kilometers) from downtown Kuala Lumpur.
