Central Market
Central Market is a retail building in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, housing craft shops, souvenir vendors, and art galleries across several floors. The building also contains batik workshops, restaurants, and a food court that looks down onto the ground floor below.
The building opened in 1888 as a wet market selling meat, fish, and vegetables to the growing city around it. It received its Art Deco facade in 1937, and after the wet market moved out in the early 1980s, the old structure was restored and turned into a space for arts and tourism.
The building is divided into sections that reflect Malaysia's different communities, such as a Chinese quarter and an Indian quarter. Artisans sell handmade textiles, batik, and traditional objects directly to visitors, making it easy to see local crafts up close.
The market is open every day and is just a short walk from Pasar Seni Station, making it easy to reach by public transport. Inside, shops and food areas are spread across several floors, so it is worth allowing extra time to go through each level at a relaxed pace.
Every Saturday evening, free outdoor performances of Malay music and dance take place just outside the building. This means visitors can watch traditional artists perform live without entering the market at all.
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