Situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur , Central Market is an entertainment and recreational hub for local citizens and foreigners. Though somewhat commercialized by the rapid developments around it, one can still find much of our Malaysian culture retained in the arts and crafts sold there. Reflecting the typical busy streets in city life, it stands in a remarkable position amongst other modern city skyscrapers. Central Market is kept for its historical value; it was built by the British in 1900 and back then its primary purpose was to serve as a wet market. Currently, it still retains the nostalgic feel of Malaysian history during the pre-independence era. As a matter of fact, the building was honoured with Coronation Architecture Design Award in 1953.Dearly known as the one-stop souvenir-shopping central in Kuala Lumpur, you can find any type of souvenir item you can think of here. This art-deco style building showcases all the souvenir stalls in style; ranging from personalized key chains, T-shirts, antique replicas, paintings, costume jewelry to pewter. One could easily spend hours at a time just browsing through all the souvenirs and mingling in the crowd.
If you are looking for very traditional handcrafts like batik (hand painted clothing), rattan, bamboo products or even Wau (traditional Malay kites), Central Market is definitely the place for you. You may even feel astounded by extraordinary displays of porcelain Hindu and Chinese deity statues. All these enticing souvenirs are available to take home at reasonable prices. The Malay Village is also a must “traditional handcrafts” lovers. The conceptual Malay Village fills the space of eight shop lots and only local specialized handcraft traders are allowed to take up occupancy here. Examples are the traditionally woven songket (luxurious fabric with gold & silver threads sewn intricately on it) that is usually seen on the elite Malay crowd; sutera (valuable silk weaving), Batik (dyed silk fabrics that are further enhanced with flower designs by hand painters); Wau Kelantan (a meticulously created Malay kite that is rich in culture) and Kelantan silver and antiques.
Far from merely being a bazaar, Central Market projects insight to incoming visitors, with local diversified cultures such as fortune telling services and wayang kulit, a shadow puppet show. If you have a little time to spare, get your majestic image captured on canvas by talented portrait artists. Central Market also offers fun local street performances as well. For those who yearn to venture further with the performing arts attractions, an outdoor amphitheatre by the riverside presents contemporary dance, music and cultural concerts; all of them evening performances from Thursdays to Sundays.
A visit to Central Market will bestow upon you a vivid sense of Kuala Lumpur city life; combined with traditional and diversified cultures that represent Malaysia . One will be able to effortlessly enrich their palates with indigenous and exotic cultures just by trying out a variety of cuisines at the ground floor. There’s even an old English pub to make merry and have drinks!
HISTORY
The history of Central Market goes back to 1888 where the location it now stands was used as an open wet market. Later when the open market continued to expand, a permanent structure was built to house all vendors. By the 1930s, the permanent structure was further improvised to have the current facade which we can see today and thence on opened its doors to Kuala Lumpur's growing population as a wet market.
The history of Central Market goes back to 1888 where the location it now stands was used as an open wet market. Later when the open market continued to expand, a permanent structure was built to house all vendors. By the 1930s, the permanent structure was further improvised to have the current facade which we can see today and thence on opened its doors to Kuala Lumpur's growing population as a wet market.
Towards the end of the 1970s, the Malaysian Heritage Society decided to preserve the building under its heritage programme and through an allocation of RM9 million granted by the Federal Government, the building underwent another facelift to renovate the building from a wet market to a Centre for Malaysian Culture, Arts and Handicrafts. Ever since then the facade remained unaltered to retain the charm of the yesteryear.
On the 15 April 1986, Melewar Leisure Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Kumpulan Melewar Berhad took over the ownership of the building and used it to promote the Malaysian Culture through the sales of Malaysian Arts and Handicrafts products.
Today Central Market has a new management team who is spearheaded by Mr. Bernard . He and his team are committed to further entrench Central Market as a Centre for the promotion of the Malaysian Culture & Heritage and a must-visit tourist destination.
What are there?
The building has pale blue colour. In front of the Central Market is a square with palm trees. If it's too hot outside you can cool down inside, because there's an air-conditioning.
Inside the building there are two levels. On both levels are shops for souvenirs and handicrafts. At the first level are some artists and you can buy T-shirts.On the second level is even a small hawker center and you can buy antique items.
Amid the stalls selling an array of souvenirs are small outlets where Malaysian artists display their works. Visitors may even have their portrait painted or order custom-made handicrafts.
Those with an eye for the unusual will enjoy buying or browsing through the market's extensive range of novelty items such as jade trees and blown glass souvenirs.
The hawker center on the second floor is a good place for lunch. There's a lot of lovely food.On the left you'll see the hawker center. This photo was taken at 10.30 am. They had just opened their stalls.
The opening hours of the Central Market: daily 10.00am - 10.00pm. Some shops are are opening at 11.00am.
Be alert to cultural shows and art exhibitions that are held here from time to time. When we visited the Central Market there was an exhibition of products from Russia.
As from second floor you have a beautiful view of what's happening below.you takes place.At the right you see some stalls with food. At the left you have some handicraft shops. There are also plenty of small specialty shops and eclectic gift shops.
How to get there?
Many modes of transportation are available; take the Putra Line Rail Transit (LRT) and get off at the Pasar Seni station, or hail a cab and travel a direct route to Central Market. Waste no more time and make Central Market your next destination by heading over to Jalan Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur .
The building has pale blue colour. In front of the Central Market is a square with palm trees. If it's too hot outside you can cool down inside, because there's an air-conditioning.
Inside the building there are two levels. On both levels are shops for souvenirs and handicrafts. At the first level are some artists and you can buy T-shirts.On the second level is even a small hawker center and you can buy antique items.
Amid the stalls selling an array of souvenirs are small outlets where Malaysian artists display their works. Visitors may even have their portrait painted or order custom-made handicrafts.
Those with an eye for the unusual will enjoy buying or browsing through the market's extensive range of novelty items such as jade trees and blown glass souvenirs.
The hawker center on the second floor is a good place for lunch. There's a lot of lovely food.On the left you'll see the hawker center. This photo was taken at 10.30 am. They had just opened their stalls.
The opening hours of the Central Market: daily 10.00am - 10.00pm. Some shops are are opening at 11.00am.
Be alert to cultural shows and art exhibitions that are held here from time to time. When we visited the Central Market there was an exhibition of products from Russia.
As from second floor you have a beautiful view of what's happening below.you takes place.At the right you see some stalls with food. At the left you have some handicraft shops. There are also plenty of small specialty shops and eclectic gift shops.
How to get there?
Many modes of transportation are available; take the Putra Line Rail Transit (LRT) and get off at the Pasar Seni station, or hail a cab and travel a direct route to Central Market. Waste no more time and make Central Market your next destination by heading over to Jalan Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur .
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