Central Market – A Market of Crafts

There certainly are many art and craft galleries around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, but if you are looking for a single place that will answer to your craft quest, Central Market is definitely the place. Started as a wet market in 1888, it has evolved to become the one stop centre for Malaysia Crafts and Souvenirs.  This is  definitely a Malaysia Tourist Places to visit.

Built in the style of a bazzar, Central Market spills over with a spellbinding collection of everything from assorted arts and crafts to antiques, pewter ware, batik and silk apparel, traditional musically instruments, jewellery and accessories, local delicacies and home decor items. You should set aside a few hours to really browse through and discover the many hidden surprises.

The centrak area features little kiosks selling t-shirts, delicate accessories, gorgeous shawls, chocolates, hangbags, shoes, aborigine crafts and more. Spanning part of the ground floor are designated areas appropriately named the Malays Street, Chinatown and Litte India, offering unique and colourful ethnic merchandise such as colourful lamps, earring, rugs, wooden cutleries, wall hangings and many other home decor items. Most of these stores are so crammed with souvenirs that you are likely to spend more time here than intended to.

If the ground floor catches your fancy, the upper floor will leave you feeling a little lost. Stocked with even more crafts, apparel and souvenirs, the stores have so much to see, that you might find your discipline wearing thin and your purchases expanding.

If you can manage, drop by The Annex to take in an art gallery showing the works of local artists. For a bit of fun, pose for a self-portrait and take home a replica of you in charcoal, pencil sketch or watercolour. A new additional to the Central Market is the ‘Wau’ or giant kite-inspired Kasturi Walk, a covered walkway with stalls selling more souvenirs, traditional food like the ‘akok, ‘cendol’, ‘rojak’, ‘tau foo far’ and various fresh fruit and juices.

Prior to ending your visit in Central Market, we suggest you to have a meal at the superb Nyonya Restaurant (Precious Old China) or a Thai-inspired Restaurant (Ginger). Both outlets promise you some of the best food in town.

In the interest of highlighting the history of the area, Central Market offers a free 2-hour tour called “Walk Through Malaysian Heritage”. The tour begins at Central Market’s main entrance at 10:30am daily.