We started the day by taking a Grab ride to Chinatown, one of the most colorful and historic neighborhoods in Kuala Lumpur. Tucked between Lorong Panggung and Petaling Street, Kwai Chai Hong (鬼仔巷), literally meaning “Little Ghost Lane” in Cantonese, is one of Chinatown’s most Instagrammable spots.
As we stepped through the restored archway, we were greeted by vivid murals depicting scenes of old Chinese life with children playing, couples dancing, and shopkeepers going about their day. Each piece told a story, giving us a glimpse into how the area once thrived as a bustling Chinese community.
Once a forgotten back alley, it has been beautifully restored to reflect the charm of 1960s Kuala Lumpur, blending nostalgia with modern artistry.
The alley is lined with trendy cafés and bars, making it the perfect place to take a break.
Beyond Kwai Chai Hong, we began seeing vibrant street art adorning old shop walls and alleys, blending traditional Chinese motifs with modern Malaysian expression. Every turn felt like a discovery, and even the weathered textures of the old buildings added to the beauty of it all.
While we were there, we actually saw a street artist at work.
Nestled in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, at Lot 18, Jalan Panggong (just a short walk from the mural-lined lanes of Kwai Chai Hong), this outlet from Malaysian chocolate brand Beryl’s offers a sweet retreat in a beautifully restored heritage shophouse.
The store offers a mini-educational touch where the displays about cocoa beans and chocolate production add extra interest.
This boutique chocolate shop sells a wide array of Beryl’s signature bars, from classic milk and dark chocolates to Malaysian-flavoured varieties like durian or tiramisu.
Across the road, we saw the Old Post Office, a quietly charming piece of heritage. Built in 1911 in a distinctive mix of Tudor and Malay architectural styles by the Federated Malay States Postal Authority, it once served as a sub-post office supporting the main postal service in Kuala Lumpur. Inside, the space has been revitalised as a retro-style café (咖啡店) which retains vintage elements—old fire safes, wooden chairs, ceiling fans, and walls adorned with historic photos of the building in its postal-days.
There were many eateries around and they were all very crowded.
We had a nice view of the World's 2nd tallest building, Merdeka 118, at this point.
Next we walked along the row of shophouses towards Jalan Petaling.
As we approached the entrance to Petaling Street, we saw that it was actually blocked up. We decided to take a closer look and realized only a portion of the street was temporarily closed.
No trip to Chinatown is complete without walking through Petaling Street, the district’s beating heart. Covered with a signature green canopy, this bustling stretch reminded us of those shopping streets in Japan. The market was packed with stalls selling clothes, accessories, souvenirs, handbags, and watches.
After exploring Chinatown, we decided to walk to Bukit Bintang, which is about a 20-minute stroll that offers a unique perspective of the city.
The route took us through a blend of old shophouses and modern buildings, showing how Kuala Lumpur’s heritage and modernity coexist side by side.
By the time we reached Bukit Bintang, we were ready for lunch.
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