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Chinatown & Merdeka Square

Kuala Lumpur

Old Kuala Lumpur around Petaling Street and Merdeka Square, with temples, Central Market, colonial buildings and the city's cheapest rooms.

Best for Budget · First visit

Transport
4/5
Sights
4/5
Value
5/5
Quiet
2/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$55/night · 15 min to KLCC

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Chinatown & Merdeka Square on the map

Why stay here

  • Heritage streets, temples and markets
  • The cheapest rooms in central KL
  • Walk to Merdeka Square and the Islamic Arts Museum

Who should stay here

  • Budget travellers
  • History and culture lovers
  • Food lovers

Not ideal if…

  • You want polished streets
  • You want big hotel pools
  • You want quiet nights

What it's like

This is where Kuala Lumpur began, at the meeting of two rivers by Masjid Jamek. Petaling Street's covered market sells everything from fake watches to fruit, the Sri Mahamariamman and Guan Di temples stand side by side, Central Market sells crafts in an Art Deco hall, and the restored Kwai Chai Hong lane has murals and cafés. Merdeka Square and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building are a short walk north.

It's the most characterful and cheapest base, with lots of hostels and small boutique hotels in old shophouses. It's gritty and noisy, and it's 15 minutes by LRT to KLCC.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Petaling Street

    Covered market street, busiest in the evening.

  • Kwai Chai Hong

    Restored back lane with murals and cafés.

  • Jalan Tun H.S. Lee

    Temples, old shophouses and cafés.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Pasar Seni (LRT and MRT), Masjid Jamek (LRT) and Plaza Rakyat stations, and the free GoKL city buses.
To KLCC
About 15 minutes
From Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
About 45 minutes: KLIA Ekspres to KL Sentral, then the LRT to Pasar Seni.

Nearby attractions

  • Merdeka Square

    Where independence was declared in 1957, facing the Sultan Abdul Samad Building.

  • Central Market

    Art Deco market hall of Malaysian crafts.

  • Islamic Arts Museum

    One of the best museums in Southeast Asia, near the National Mosque.

  • Sri Mahamariamman Temple

    KL's oldest Hindu temple, with a tall gopuram.

Where to eat and drink

  • Petaling Street stalls

    Chinese street food and old coffee shops.

  • Kwai Chai Hong

    Cafés and bars in restored shophouses.

Where to stay in Chinatown & Merdeka Square

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Why we like it: Restored 1932 colonial hotel near the old railway station.

Typical luxury rate in Chinatown & Merdeka Square: ~$110/night

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Boutique pick

Else Kuala Lumpur

Why we like it: Design hotel in Chinatown with a rooftop pool.

Typical mid-range rate in Chinatown & Merdeka Square: ~$55/night

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Hotels in Chinatown & Merdeka SquareMid-range from ~$55/night

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