Central Market, Kuala Lumpur

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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!!

Central Market was the largest wet market in the city. Built in 1928, it is also a very old building that has won awards for its architectural design. Now, the building is home to many arts and crafts shops showcasing the work of local artists and craftsmen. This is a great place to pick up souvenirs and T-shirts in addition to more elaborate handicraft and artwork.

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A bridge across the Sungai Klang links the Dayabumi Complex to the central market. 50 years ago at this place there was a wet market. Today, the structure of the Central Market is a cultural center for the display and development of Malaysian culture, arts and crafts as well as a site for local artists and craftsmen. The specialty in this large covered enclave is Malaysian handicrafts. Portrait artists and small-time craftsmen set up shop in various corners and proceed to work, oblivious to the stares of curious onlookers. The riverside amphitheatre outside is the venue for regular performances of traditional and contemporary dances and musical concerts. There are many performances, demonstrations, and activities offered here, including batik painting, fortune telling, shadow puppet plays, glass blowing, dance classes, art classes, and many others. A unique place to venture and perhaps pick up curios and antiques for a bargain.

What to buy: Many stores at Central Market sell clothes and other goods made from the colorful, traditional Malaysian batik - beautiful and, in most cases, hand-drawn and hand-printed fabrics. Batik makes really nice shirts, dresses and ties . The shops and stalls within the extensively renovated building offer a heady variety of antiques, asian artifacts, handicrafts and souvenir items.

What to pay: A silk hand painted batik around 90 ringit, a batik table set around 30 ringit.

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Art Deco style building originally was the city produce market, but has now been refurbished to hold a very nice variety of small shops selling mostly souvenirs, clothing, antique bric-a-brac. Additionally there is a nice food court on the 2nd floor.
Most of what is available around the country is offered here. Knowing that you can plan accordingly and either get your souvenir shopping out of the way first off, or wait until your last day so you won't have to lug things around.

Independent stalls: I wasn’t sure whether to add this, because I couldn’t tell whether the gallery was permanent. But in the far back right corner on the first floor of the Central Market were paintings for sale in a variety of styles.

Part of the corner was a small display of lovely Chinese paintings by an artist called Tan Kim Sar (deceased), who appears to have also been a local educator. Anyway, those paintings were for sale, and probably will be until they’re gone. They’re a bit costly (but it’s a limited supply of originals), and you have to pay cash (it’s a small stall, no credit cards).

His subjects appear to have been mostly fish and birds. The photo detail comes from a 3+ x 1 foot panel, with catfish twisting their way up and occasionally escaping into the border. (This one is mine.) On similar panels, flocks of sparrows twist and tumble, or take flight. His paintings seemed to have a frenzied energy within the graceful movement and lines. I liked them immensely.

For U Handicrafts & Souvenirs: Among the collection of kites in this shop are traditional Malaysian “moon kites” like the one pictured. I’m sure these kites are overpriced just for the tourists, but they really are pretty. The shop is in the Central Market, on the upper level towards the back left side of the building.

All the kites are supposed to be hand-made and -painted, and I didn’t see any two alike. The proprietress said all of them fly, and that they’re double paper and much sturdier than the thin balsa supports would lead you to believe. Maybe they do fly, but for the price I’m not too keen on experimenting. The one pictured is about 3 feet wide and cost about RM300. There are all different sizes and intricacy of the paintjobs, though, ranging from less than RM100 to RM700+. It sounded like there was a discount for paying cash.

The kites fold down for transport, and the proprietress will show you how to unfold them and get everything aligned again.

Central Market is a former wet market that has been refurbished to become a centre for handicraft, antique and art sales.

What to buy: This is the best place to look for souvenirs and handicrafts.

Its two-floors building houses shops, hawker centres, restaurants, fast-food outlets.

a big market inside a big building with airconditioning.

What to buy: souvenir, malaysian traditional snack, etc

What to pay: varies.
you need to bargain sometimes. they usually give discount when you come at night before they are closed

Central Market is a place where many come to peruse for handicrafts. I'm not sure why, but I had the distinct impression that I was more likely to be pickpocketed here than any other place in KL - I could be wrong, though.

The quality of goods here varies but it's OK. Some of the proprieters (especially those selling fabrics) can be a little pushy. I'm not sure if they honestly expect us to believe the 'discount' we're supposedly getting, after they all begin by quoting the 'usual' price, seamlessly followed by the special 'discount' price.
We asked the price of a little statuette - the woman brazenly told us the 'special' discount price of 100 ringgitt, when the price tag read 85 ringgit!

Actually pashmina scarves were a bargain - about 20 Australian dollars I think.

Tripods aren't allowed here, I was quickly told by a polite but firm security official whilst hurriedly taking this photo.

What to buy: Pashmina scarves

What to pay: About 70 ringgit

Saved from demolition,the original art-deco style Central Market was converted into a fine "festive hall" and in 1986,reopened as Malaysia's foremost Cultural Shopping Centre showcasing the best local crafts and arts in the country.On the ground floor you will find the Bull's Head,an English style pub, restaurants such as the Chinese Overseas Restaurant, and Hameed's Indian eatery, newsagents,fruit stores,Kelantan Silvercraft, shops selling costume jewellery,arts and crafts outlets, stores selling luggage, art dealers and shoe shops. Most conveniently you will also find several money changers and several ATM machines.

What to buy: There are very many different handicraft items one can buy, for example silver jewellery, paintings or fans.

What to pay: We bought a very large, beautiful fan and paid only around 8 Euros for it. You have to bargain, of course!