The Ultimate Tourist’s Guide To Petaling Street Market
You can ask anyone that you know who has ever been to Malaysia, and they will know about Petaling Street Market. It is considered to be a shopper’s haven, but it is in a different category when it comes to its more luxurious counterparts such as KLCC and Bukit Bintang. However, Petaling Street Market is a very well-known shopping district, and when night falls over Kuala Lumpur, it is transformed into an even livelier and vibrant after hours market. Here are some sharing from our plumbing team.
So, if you are looking to buy at the cheapest prices possible, this brief tourist’s guide will give you the information you need to make sure Petaling Street is added to your next Malaysian vacation attractions.
Historical Background
Before Malaysia was known as Malaysia, it was know as Malaya or ‘Tanah Melayu’. The Chinese migrated to the country in order to work at the tin mines. However, it was during the Selangor Civil War when these mines were shutdown. After the war was over, the Chinese returned only to discover that the tin mines had been flooded during the war.
An influential Chinese businessman by the name of Yap Ah Loy decided to open a tapioca mill along Petaling Street as a way to encourage the Chinese migrants to stay. In fact, even today Petaling Street is often referred to by the locals as Starch Factory Street or Chee Cheong Kai in Cantonese. This name reflects the history of the market as well as the street later becoming the hub for tapioca flour production.
Over the years, Petaling Street has been given several facelifts. There are no longer any patchy roads or broken pieces of pavement. Tourists no longer see vibrant and colorful umbrellas attached to pushcarts on either side of the street.
Instead, a green awning now covers the entire length of the street. It functions as a makeshift roof to keep vendors and shoppers safe from the rain and the heat. Oriental-style archways embroidered with the words ‘Jalan Petaling/Petaling Street’ are spelled in gold letters. This archway greets every visitor that enters the market area.
Shopper And Foodie Paradise
Petaling Street is full of stalls and shops that carry a variety of goods and food. There is also a sign that warns vendors from selling imitation goods. However, the sign is ironic because shoppers will immediately notice the abundance of fake name brand items for sale on either side of the market.
From watches to handbags to clothing to trainers – if you can name it, you can likely find the imitation version of it on Petaling Street. You will find Rolex watches sitting alongside Louis Vuitton, and it is not uncommon to find yet to be and just released movies for sale at cheap prices.
For shoppers who are on a strict budget, Petaling Street should be one of your first stops because you will not only have variety, but you will also get a lot of value for your money. In fact, do not be afraid to haggle a bit with the vendor because you may be able to snag an even better deal.
Going to Petaling Street Market is a must if you are ever visiting Malaysia. From cheap finds to delicious food, it is the ultimate shopper’s paradise.