Central Market is one of KL’s
most familiar landmarks and a popular tourist attraction.
Built in 1928, it is a short walk away from Petaling Street, along Jalan Hang Kasturi.
Also called Pasar Seni, it used to be a simple wet market
but in the early 1980s was revamped into a handicrafts outlet.
The focus for the city’s artistic community,
inside the building is a warren of boutiques, handicraftand souvenir stalls with traders selling local merchandise such as authentic Malaysian batik prints and more.
Central Market is located on the opposite bank of the Dayabumi
Complex and is an art-deco style building with local ‘Baroque’ trimmings.
(The source of wikipedia,Asia web)
A Malaysian cultural landmark,
it has been classified as a Heritage Site by the National Heritage Department.
Similar to London’s Covent Garden or San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf,the 120 year-old Central Market has undergone several renovations over the years
toattract younger generations and to foster greater
appreciation for racial tolerance and integration.
Central Market hosts a variety of vendors that bring out their best wares during
the country’s colourful and exciting annual festivals such as Hari Raya,
Chinese New Year and Deepavali.
For example, during the Hari Raya festival vendors will sell an assortment of
sweet cakes and titbits;at Deepavali, the market has a colourful collection of saris
and other Indian merchandise on display, while Chinese New Year sees the bazaar filled with Chinese treats as well astraditional Chinese costumes for sale.
.
For the rest of the year Central Market
supports local contemporary arts by hosting art exhibitions.
Another way to describe Central Market is to say that it is like
New York’s SoHo flea market – the merchandise here is cheap and traditional goods
suchas batik, embroidery carvings, souvenirs, and sculptures are on offer.
The Batik Emporium houses
well-known batik designer labels, while outside local artists painting renderings of the
busy street or impromptu song-and-dance performance take place.
Divided into different zones, vendors’ stall zones are distinctive by race:
the purpose of this zoning practice is to let visitors get an insight into the cultural
differences of the various races in Malaysia.
There is even a Malacca ‘Jonker Street’, an area of Central Market that looks like a typical Baba-Nyonya house with Peranakan-style furnishings and fixtures on sale
Highlights: Arch Collection, Actop Craft, Asli Craft, Borneo Pearls, Cute Fish Spa,
Dodo Art & Craft, Fine Batik, House of Silver, Kheng's Antique and Collectible,
Success Portrait, Suria Portrait Centre, Swartz Creation.
If you are looking to grab a bite to eat after all the shopping,
there is a hawker centre located on the second floor of the complex.
Location: Just around the corner from Kota Raya Shopping Centre
Address: No. 10, 1st-3rd floor, Jalan Hang Kasturi
Address: No. 10, 1st-3rd floor, Jalan Hang Kasturi
How do I get There?
To get to Central Market, the easiest way is to take the Putra LRT train
and get off at the "Pasar Seni” station. As you exit the station, you will be able to
see the market directly opposite the main road.
