Central Market, Kuala Lumpur

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The central market is a collection of shops, cafes etc that is all in the same huge building.
It´s a real nice place to stroll around even if you don´t plan to buy anything.
You have different sections there with one part being indian, one part chinese, etc.
There are also some good cafes there aswell as places to get a bite to eat.

A trip to Asia is not complete without batering at the markets so we headed on down to Central Markets for a session :o)

I bought a few gifts for the family here and Janine bought two nice leather bags for a very cheap price. Not as good as Ho Chi Minh City for mean batering though. I think the locals have cottoned on to us knowing how to work the system :o) ....but we had fun anyway.

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This former "wet" market which used to sell meat, fish, vegetables and other local products, is located across the river frm the British administrative centre. Another fine Art Deco building, it was built in 1936 after the original market (built in 1889) was modified. In 1986, it became the Cultural Bazaar and is home to many souvenir stalls and shops that also sell arts and crafts.

Open: 10am-10pm.

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We love visiting markets. Kuala Lumpur has them in abundance, in fact, the whole city is like one huge marketplace ranging from the shabbiest crowded cowshed-like structures to the ultra modern shopping malls. The 2 we found the most interesting were the Chow Kit market and the Central Market. The Central market is a kind of halfway house, with Art Deco architecture, and a variety of crafts and souvenirs in pleasant surroundings. Chow Kit was more of the cowshed variety with stallholders shouting out along the crowded aisles. We were fascinated by watching jewelery being electroplated using a battered kitchen pot, boiling liquid and a car battery. Great fun.

Don't get me wrong I like Central Market and usually end up buying here but it is not the cheapest around...and the items for sale can be found in many places at the same - and cheaper - prices. But, if what you want is here go for it.

You can easily spend a couple of hours here and I usually go when it is wet, or too hot to be walking around.

The food stalls are OK - dearer than out in the streets - but if you are dubious about street vendors this is a great place to come.

What to buy: My favourite purchase from the markets is a 3D Laser Crystal paper weight. I had a picture of Telly (my dog) put into the paper weight and I just love it. If you have a favourite picture take it along and have it made into a crystal piece Ground floor Lot G 37/38

I have also had my fortune told here - an interesting experience.......

What to pay: Items are not that cheap here but everything under the one roof makes it easy....especially for last minute gifts

Open from 10 am to 10 pm everyday, Central Market attracts tourists and locals alike. Built in 1888 as a wet market, it has become a landmark for the country’s culture and heritage.

What to buy: Shops offer a wide range of Malaysian arts and handicrafts, paintings, batik clothes, spices, and nice souvenirs you would like to bring home.

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central market first floor has many shops offering a variety of batik fabrics and ready-made clothings

one with green theme

What to buy: bought a pair of baju cara melayu in batik fabric

plus eco-friendly batik shirt made from natural fibres and dyes

What to pay: paid rm$160 for batik shirt

and rm$200 for cara melayu

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shops around central market offers a wide variety of local art and craft

ideal for gifts

or as fashion statement

What to buy: customised art on tiles etc

as remembrance of visit to central market

What to pay: a few dollars to hundreds of dollars!!