Morning scenes of Petaling Street before the hustle and bustle that typifies the culture of KL Chinatown. KL Chinatown in the morning and the Chinatown at night is like ebony and ivory, well like day and night itself. Michael & I find the mornings much more fascinating than the bright lights, beer gardens and cheap watches that fill up the glitzy nights all dolled up for the tourists.
Many who turn up at Petaling Street at night to do their obligatory tour and bargain hunting would miss the wet market which is one of the oldest markets in Malaysia still in existence. Miss the morning flea market in one the side streets where 'stolen' goods are displayed quite openly as second-hand goods. Miss the pushcart vendor selling duck's feet wrapped in intestine. Miss the Petaling Street without the make-up exposing the tired looking facade of old heritage buildings poorly maintained, yet so full of old world character.
Turn up in the mornings and you will experience what the locals have been enjoying. You will chance upon many elderly Chinese men and women who have lived all their lives on Petaling Street. Like the family who sells 'Yong Tau Foo' in one of the side streets or the barber under the make shift canvas canopy - a dying breed trimming the thinning hair of his elderly customers who really don't need a cut but would enjoy the casual banter that goes along with the session.
This is the KL Chinatown which Christina takes pride in showing our guests.
Note: Chinatown is a 15 min walk from Sarang Vacation Homes. You can also take a monorail ride from Hang Tuah Station to Maharajaleela Station and walk 5 mins to the chinese Assembly Hall end of Petaling Street. Or take 2 min bus ride from the main road to Kotaraya and walk across the road to Chinatown. A short taxi ride would also bring you there for a few Ringgit.
