View source for Petaling Street

{{Coord|3.144444|101.697500|type:landmark_region:MY_source:enwiki|format=dms|display=title|qid=Q3239125}}{{short description|Road and neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
[[Image:Kuala Lumpur. Jalan Petaling. 2019-12-07 15-24-49.jpg|thumb|300px|Petaling Street in 2019]]

'''Petaling Street''' ([[Malay language|Malay]]: ''Jalan Petaling'', [[Simplified Chinese]]: 茨厂街, [[Traditional Chinese]]: 茨廠街, [[pinyin]]: Cíchǎng Jiē, [[Cantonese]] [[jyutping]]: ci<sup>4</sup> cong<sup>2</sup> gaai<sup>1</sup>) is a [[Chinatown]] located in [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Petaling Street |url=http://www.malaysia.travel/en/es/places/states-of-malaysia/kuala-lumpur/petaling-street |website=www.malaysia.travel |publisher=Tourism Malaysia |access-date=28 April 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The whole vicinity is also known as '''Chinatown KL'''. Haggling is a common sight here and the place is usually crowded with locals as well as tourists.

The area has dozens of restaurants and food stalls, serving local favourites such as [[Hokkien mee]], [[Ikan Bakar]] (barbecued fish), ''[[laksa|asam laksa]]'' and [[Curry Mee|curry noodles]]. Reggae Bar Chinatown is located here. 
Traders here are mainly [[Han Chinese|Chinese]] but there are also [[Malaysian Indians|Indian]], [[Malaysian Malays|Malay]], and [[Bangladeshis|Bangladeshi]] traders. It is also known for [[street prostitution]].<ref name="asianc">{{cite web |url= https://asiancorrespondent.com/2015/07/kuala-lumpur-prostitution-malaysia/#QOB3p530ZA1f6QKW.97 |title= Why Kuala Lumpur could be on its way to becoming the sex capital of Asia |last= Hunter |first= Murray |date= 28 July 2015 |website= Asian Correspondent |access-date= 28 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318103221/https://asiancorrespondent.com/2015/07/kuala-lumpur-prostitution-malaysia/#QOB3p530ZA1f6QKW.97 |archive-date=18 March 2016 }}</ref>

==History and development==
{{Maplink|frame=yes|frame-width=250|type=shape}}The original Chinatown is centred on Market Square, [[Jalan Tun H.S. Lee]] (or ''High Street''). The High Street was popular as it was higher than the rest of the town and thus less prone to floods. This led the wealthier population to build their shophouses here. As a result, the more ornate shophouses were built north of [[Jalan Cheng Lock]] and closer to the High Street business centre.

[[File:Jalan Petaling 2.jpg|left|thumb|230x230px|Road leading to Kuala Lumpur's [[Chinatown]] from the south side of Petaling Street.]]
Kuala Lumpur was a typical "pioneer" town around the start of the 20th century. The population was predominantly male, and they were typical of the rough and tough pioneers of those times. The men were mainly [[Cantonese people|Cantonese]] and [[Hakka people|Hakkas]] who had come to the city because of the tin trade, working as [[coolies]] in the mines. They were governed by a Chinese Kapitan or headman. The most famous Chinese [[Kapitan Cina|Kapitan]] was [[Yap Ah Loy]], a Hakka.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2007/8/9/central/18527005&sec=central |title=Dataran Merdeka |publisher=welcome-kl.com |access-date=9 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521072349/http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=%2F2007%2F8%2F9%2Fcentral%2F18527005&sec=central |archive-date=21 May 2011  }}</ref>

In the 1860s to 1870s, the [[Selangor Civil War]] erupted between rival Malay factions as well as within the Chinese community that were allied to them. The Chinese community split along partisan lines between the Hokkien [[Ghee Hin]] and the Hakka [[Hai San Secret Society|Hai San]] secret societies. When the British authorities realised that the war disrupted their economy and [[supply chain]]s, they decided to enter the war. As a result, many buildings were destroyed or severely damaged.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welcome-kl.com/china-town-petaling-street/ |title=Why early Chinese settlers chose the site |work=The Star |access-date=18 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719202143/http://www.welcome-kl.com/china-town-petaling-street/ |archive-date=19 July 2013  }}</ref><ref name="gullick">{{cite book |author=J.M. Gullick |title=The Story of Kuala Lumpur, 1857-1939 |publisher=Eastern Universities Press (M) |year=1983 |isbn=978-9679080285 |pages=17–23 |chapter=Chapter 4: The Selangor Civil War (1867-1873) |author-link=J.M. Gullick}}</ref>

During the civil war, the [[tin]] mines were abandoned. The neglect during this time caused them to become flooded. After the war, (and when the miners returned) they found that the mines were now unworkable due to flooding. Yap Ah Loy persuaded the miners and coolies to remain in KL and persuaded the Malays in the surrounding districts to grow rice and other garden products. He opened a [[Tapioca]] Mill in Petaling Street where the tubers from his farms were brought to be ground into flour. Petaling Street is fondly called 'Chee Cheong Kai' in Cantonese, meaning Starch Factory Street.

==Features==
[[File:Kwai Chai Hong, Kuala Lumpur in May 2020 04.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Kwai Chai Hong is home to many beautiful murals which depict the historic life surrounding Chinatown.]]
There used to be a [[McDonald's]] on the 1st shop lot of Petaling Street (facing [[List of roads in Kuala Lumpur|Foch Avenue (Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock)]]) before it ceased operations several years ago. Nearby is a Chinese bookstore, as well as food stalls selling a variety of local food like [[Hainanese chicken rice]] and [[noodles]]. One famous and established Wanton Noodle shop called Koon Kee Too is located near the intersection inside Petaling Street. Also nearby are the [[Jamek Mosque]], an old mosque of [[Moors|Moorish]] architecture, as well as the [[Central Market, Malaysia|Central Market]], all accessible within walking distance.{{Original research inline|date=July 2022}} 

One of Kuala Lumpur's famous landmarks, the [[Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur]], is located along with Jalan Tun H.S. Lee. It is one of KL's oldest and richest [[Hindu]] temples, receiving many devotees and tourists daily. 

Another notable landmark within the area is '''Kwai Chai Hong''' ([[Chinese language|Chinese]]: 鬼仔巷) located along Lorong Panggung. It is a back alley behind the [[Shophouse|shophouses]] with lots of mural arts managed by Bai Chuan Management Sdn Bhd to make use as a tourist attraction. The name translates literally as ''Little Ghost Lane'' or ''Little Demon Lane'' in [[English language|English]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fern|first=Marion|last2=o|title=Where walls tell tales|url=https://www.thesundaily.my/style-life/feature/where-walls-tell-tales-CJ812545|access-date=7 November 2021|website=www.thesundaily.my|language=en-MY}}</ref> The alley features 6 artistic interactive murals with [[QR code|QR codes]] placed on the walls of each mural about historic life of residents around the block back in the days.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chinatown KL Gets a New Look and It Is Perfect for Your Next #OOTD and More|url=https://theaseanpost.com/article/chinatown-kl-gets-new-look-and-it-perfect-your-next-ootd-and-more|access-date=7 November 2021|website=The ASEAN Post|language=en}}</ref>
==Development==
[[File:Kwai Chai Hong, Kuala Lumpur in May 2020 01.jpg|thumb|The [[Arch|entrance arch]] of Kwai Chai Hong in 2020.]]In 2003, Petaling Street underwent a major RM11 million facelift when two large Chinese arches to welcome visitors were placed at either end of the street. A green roof cover was constructed, covering the whole road, dubbed the "Green Dragon". The street is now totally pedestrianised and transformed into a pedestrian shopping mall. The Street is regarded as a heritage site.

==Film==
Although not shot on site, Malaysia's 2011 kungfu comedy film, ''[[Petaling Street Warriors]]'', is set against the backdrop of Petaling Street in the year 1908.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Petaling Street Warriors |url=https://www.thefilmcatalogue.com/films/petaling-street-warriors |access-date=7 July 2022 |website=The Film Catalogue |language=en}}</ref>

==Transportation==
The street is accessible within walking distance from the following rail stations:
* Northwest from {{KLRT color code|SP|8}}{{KLRT color code|AG|8}} [[Plaza Rakyat LRT station]] (interchange with {{KLRT color code|SBK|17}} [[Merdeka MRT station]]);
* South from {{KLRT color code|AG|7}}{{KLRT color code|SP|7}}{{KLRT color code|KJ|13}} [[Masjid Jamek LRT station]];
* Northeast from {{KLRT color code|KJ|14}}{{KLRT color code|SBK|16}} [[Pasar Seni station|Pasar Seni LRT/MRT station]] – connected to {{KLRT color code|KA|02}} [[Kuala Lumpur railway station|KTM Kuala Lumpur]]; and 
* North from {{KLRT color code|MR|3}} [[Maharajalela Monorail station]].

==Image gallery==
{{commons category|Petaling Street}}
<gallery>
File:Kuala Lumpur. Jalan Petaling. 2019-12-07 15-24-13.jpg|Closeup view of the iconic Petaling Street Gate
File:Hotek Lok Ann 12Feb2013.JPG|Hotel Lok Ann, located opposite the entrance
File:Petaling Street Shops.jpg|Row of shops and hawkers underneath the "Green Dragon"
File:2016 Kuala Lumpur, Ulica Hang Lekir (01).jpg|Petaling Street side entrance from Jalan Hang Lekir
File:Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur, 24 March 2019.jpg|Petaling Street at night
File:Kuala Lumpur. Jalan Petaling. 2019-12-10 21-32-30.jpg|Hawker stalls during the night
File:Kwai Chai Hong 4.jpg|A mural in Kwai Chai Hong depicting a prostitute
File:Jalan Sultan, KL, 1989.jpg|KL Chinatown in 1989
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://www.kwaichaihong.com/ Kwai Chai Hong official website]
*[https://archive.today/20140527172619/http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/web-page/places/states-of-malaysia/kuala-lumpur/petaling-street?page=/2 Tourism Malaysia – Petaling Street]
* [http://www.escapehunter.com/escapes/malaysia/jalan-petaling-010611.php Travel Guide with Photos – EscapeHunter.com]
*{{Osmway|446256442}}

{{Etnic Enclaves in Malaysia}}
{{Asia Chinatown}}

[[Category:Chinese-Malaysian culture in Kuala Lumpur]]
[[Category:Chinatowns in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Roads in Kuala Lumpur]]
[[Category:Shopping districts and streets in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Restaurant districts and streets in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Red-light districts in Malaysia]]