Kuala Lumpur/Old City Centre



Kuala Lumpur's Old City Centre is the traditional heart of Malaysia's capital city in terms of administration as well as trade and commerce. The City Centre comprises the former colonial administrative district just west of the confluence of the Klang and Gombak River, where Kuala Lumpur was founded. At the heart of the colonial district is Merdeka Square, where Malaysia's independence was celebrated. Surrounding the square are many other colonial-era buildings. To the west of the square lies the pretty Lake Gardens while to the south you'll find the National Mosque, the Moorish-style Kuala Lumpur railway station, and several museums including the Islamic Arts Museum and the National Museum.

To the east of the Klang river lies the old commercial district of Kuala Lumpur. You will find the iconic Central Markets, or Pasar Seni, of Kuala Lumpur and the narrow streets of Chinatown, with traditional Chinese shops, markets, eateries and budget accommodation galore. Although the old pre-World War II shophouses are quickly disappearing and being replaced with modern buildings, the area is still fascinating enough for a wonder

By train


The City Centre is easily accessible by rail, with two LRT lines, one MRT line and a KTM Komuter station serving the district. The LRT stations serving the City Centre include  Pasar Seni and    Masjid Jamek of the Kelana Jaya LRT line or   Plaza Rakyat and Masjid Jamek for the Ampang LRT line. The newest MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line serving the Merdeka (interchangeable with Plaza Rakyat) and Pasar Seni. If you're coming from KL Sentral, the main transportation hub of Kuala Lumpur in Brickfields, then take the Kelana Jaya LRT line. For easy access to Chinatown and the Central Market take the LRT or MRT to Plaza Rakyat/Merdeka and Pasar Seni stations whilst for easy access to Merdeka Square and the surrounding area use Masjid Jamek.

If heading towards the City Centre from the suburbs, your best option is to catch the KTM Komuter, alighting at Kuala Lumpur Station (not to be confused with KL Sentral). Kuala Lumpur Station is a bit more south of the LRT stations. Don't let this discourage you as the old colonial Kuala Lumpur Station is an attraction in itself and is a good option to access attractions like the National Mosque or Lake Gardens.

By bus
Almost all bus routes start and end in the City Centre. The ground level of the Pasar Seni metro station is a major bus hub for RapidKL, linking downtown Kuala Lumpur with major cities of Selangor namely Subang Jaya, Puchong, Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam. Subsidiary bus hubs near Pasar Seni are Kotaraya (Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock), Bangkok Bank (Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, behind the Central Market), Sinar Kota (Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin, formerly Jalan Silang, near the Masjid Jamek metro station) and Pudu Sentral (formerly Puduraya). Only a handful of bus routes stop at Pudu Sentral; express buses can be accessed at the Bandar Tasik Selatan railway station.

Some routes, especially those by RapidKL, may end at the outskirts of the City, such as at KL Sentral (Kuala Lumpur's main railway terminal) or Titiwangsa in the northern part of the city centre. You'll be able to catch connecting City Shuttles from this terminal into the City Centre. See Kuala Lumpur's Get Around section for route details.

Do

 * Cricket:
 * Cricket:

Buy




Supermarkets and convenience stores
There still are plenty of modern supermarkets and retailers in the area, complementing the traditional Petaling Street market.

Eat
You will be able to find some of the most interesting places to eat at reasonable prices in this district. Chinatown is the place to head to for Chinese food while Lebuh Ampang just behind Masjid Jamek is the place for Indian food. There are also the usual fast food outlets like Texas Chicken and KFC.

Budget



 * Indian Restaurant in the Kuala Lumpur Old Train Station next to Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. Prices and service similar as in Restoran Vinni Jeyaa.
 * Indian Restaurant in the Kuala Lumpur Old Train Station next to Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. Prices and service similar as in Restoran Vinni Jeyaa.
 * Indian Restaurant in the Kuala Lumpur Old Train Station next to Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. Prices and service similar as in Restoran Vinni Jeyaa.
 * Indian Restaurant in the Kuala Lumpur Old Train Station next to Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. Prices and service similar as in Restoran Vinni Jeyaa.
 * Indian Restaurant in the Kuala Lumpur Old Train Station next to Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. Prices and service similar as in Restoran Vinni Jeyaa.
 * Indian Restaurant in the Kuala Lumpur Old Train Station next to Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. Prices and service similar as in Restoran Vinni Jeyaa.
 * Indian Restaurant in the Kuala Lumpur Old Train Station next to Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. Prices and service similar as in Restoran Vinni Jeyaa.
 * Indian Restaurant in the Kuala Lumpur Old Train Station next to Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. Prices and service similar as in Restoran Vinni Jeyaa.

Drink
There is little nightlife in this part of Kuala Lumpur, as most of the bars and clubs are in the Golden Triangle.





Sleep
Some of the cheapest accommodation within Kuala Lumpur is found in Chinatown and the surrounding area, but keep in mind that you tend to get what you pay for. The cheapest guesthouses are mostly rented by the hour and are rife with health and safety hazards, so are best avoided. For more upscale accommodation, see Golden Triangle instead; and if you're looking for hotels around the KL Sentral station, see Brickfields.

Budget

 * Oasis Guest House, Upper Floor 125 Jl Petaling. (Across the street from the Petaling Street Market). Rooftop terrace, TV/chill area. RM15 for dorm, RM25 for single w/fan, RM50 for single with A/C.
 * Oasis Guest House, Upper Floor 125 Jl Petaling. (Across the street from the Petaling Street Market). Rooftop terrace, TV/chill area. RM15 for dorm, RM25 for single w/fan, RM50 for single with A/C.
 * Oasis Guest House, Upper Floor 125 Jl Petaling. (Across the street from the Petaling Street Market). Rooftop terrace, TV/chill area. RM15 for dorm, RM25 for single w/fan, RM50 for single with A/C.
 * Oasis Guest House, Upper Floor 125 Jl Petaling. (Across the street from the Petaling Street Market). Rooftop terrace, TV/chill area. RM15 for dorm, RM25 for single w/fan, RM50 for single with A/C.
 * Oasis Guest House, Upper Floor 125 Jl Petaling. (Across the street from the Petaling Street Market). Rooftop terrace, TV/chill area. RM15 for dorm, RM25 for single w/fan, RM50 for single with A/C.
 * Oasis Guest House, Upper Floor 125 Jl Petaling. (Across the street from the Petaling Street Market). Rooftop terrace, TV/chill area. RM15 for dorm, RM25 for single w/fan, RM50 for single with A/C.
 * Oasis Guest House, Upper Floor 125 Jl Petaling. (Across the street from the Petaling Street Market). Rooftop terrace, TV/chill area. RM15 for dorm, RM25 for single w/fan, RM50 for single with A/C.
 * Oasis Guest House, Upper Floor 125 Jl Petaling. (Across the street from the Petaling Street Market). Rooftop terrace, TV/chill area. RM15 for dorm, RM25 for single w/fan, RM50 for single with A/C.
 * Oasis Guest House, Upper Floor 125 Jl Petaling. (Across the street from the Petaling Street Market). Rooftop terrace, TV/chill area. RM15 for dorm, RM25 for single w/fan, RM50 for single with A/C.

Splurge
There are no fancy 5-star hotels in this part of the city. If you want to indulge in luxury check out the Sleep section in Golden Triangle and Brickfields & Bangsar.



Go next

 * North: Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit and Dang Wangi
 * Southwest: Brickfields, National Museum
 * East: Bukit Bintang and KLCC
 * Southeast: Cheras, Bandar Tasik Selatan and Bukit Jalil