Half-Day DIY Walking Tour of Kuala Lumpur: Chinatown & Central Market (Kid-Friendly!)

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If you’re looking for a DIY walking tour of Kuala Lumpur, I’ve got a fun itinerary to share with you!

I’m a mama in Malaysia who enjoys traipsing around in my own city (there’s truly plenty to see!) and I do it all with my little toddler so all the itineraries I share are naturally kid-friendly, with lots of breathing space in between to keep the pace comfy for parents and little ones.

I recently enjoyed an afternoon in Chinatown and Central Market, and here’s what my half-day itinerary included:

  • Excellent Hainam brunch in a refurbished post office
  • A grand Hindu temple and an outstanding Taoist temple 
  • Shopping for actually cute Malaysian souvenirs
  • Batik painting
  • Snack pitstops: local-favorite durian tarts, Malaysian-origin custom hot chocolate
  • Coffee pitstop in an aesthetically on-point cafe

Does this sound totally up your alley? Awesome! Keep reading for the full itinerary 🙂 

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DIY Walking Tour of Kuala Lumpur (Chinatown & Central Market): Map

Stop #1: Kafei Dian

Right in the heart of Chinatown is a charming cafe with a unique history.

Kafei Dian is housed in a former colonial-era post office. Step past the beautiful Tudor facade and you’ll be met with a homey kopitiam (Malaysian coffee shop) vibe.

The eatery serves classic Hainam-style dishes. I highly recommend the Hainam chicken chop! The deep-fried chicken is juicy and has a flavorful batter, and it’s topped with a tangy gravy. It’s not spicy so kids can enjoy it too!

The steamed kaya butter toast is amazing as well – it’s so soft! The local coffee is excellent too. 

Location: 16 Jalan Panggong, Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 7.30 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily

How to get here:

  • MRT: Kafei Dian is a quick 5-minute walk from the Pasar Seni MRT Station.
  • Car: If you’re driving, there’s a pay-per-entry carpark (RM11 for the day) about a 2-minute walk from the cafe. 

Stop #2: Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

After brunch, we’ll walk to Central Market, and along the way you can see some beautiful temples!

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in the city, dating back to 1873. The outstanding 5-tiered gopuram (towering temple entrance) is a sight to behold! The intricate carvings are done in the South Indian style. 

You’ll need to have your shoes stored if you want to step inside. The prayer hall is beautiful – take your time to explore the ornate architecture here.

Location: 167 Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, Kuala Lumpur (5-minute walk from Kafei Dian)

Opening hours: 6 a.m. – 8.30 p.m. daily 

Entrance fees: Free (though you’ll need a pay a token fee to store your shoes)

Stop #3: Guan Di Temple

Guan Di Temple is right across from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple. The temple is dedicated to legendary Chinese warrior Guan Di – christened God of War for his military triumphs. 

The majestic Taoist temple has a standout red facade and it’s famous for its hefty copper sword in the temple courtyard. It’s believed that if you’re able to lift the sword, you’re in for a stroke of good luck. 😉

Location: 168 Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, Kuala Lumpur (opposite Sri Maha Mariamman Temple)

Opening hours: 7.30 a.m. – 3.30 p.m. daily 

Entrance fees: Free 

Stop #4: Happy Meal Bakery

Walk down the road (if you pass by the stunning Else boutique hotel, you’re on the right track) and you’ll see an unassuming local bakery. 

I was first introduced to this hidden gem by my best friend during our college years, and to this day I’ve never tasted baked durian tarts quite as good as the ones here! The pineapple version is really yummy too.

Location: 143 Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, Kuala Lumpur (2-minute walk fro Guan Di Temple)

Opening hours: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily 

Stop #5: Central Market

Walk for another 5-ish minutes and you’ll arrive at Central Market! 

Also known as Pasar Seni, this vibrant marketplace goes back to 1888 when it was the city’s bustling wet market. The beautiful Art Deco design is such a wonderful reminder of its rich history.

I recommend heading to the Central Market mini gallery on Level 1 to learn more about the building’s story.

Central Market is an excellent spot to shop for beautiful local souvenirs. The market is also known for its artsy vibe and the attached annexe is dedicated to all things art.

Here are some pit stops within Central Market I recommend:

Paper Adventures

If you’re looking for Malaysian souvenirs with fresh and vibrant designs, check out Paper Adventures!

They have everything from the standard fridge magnets and keychains to cute tote bags, gorgeous jigsaw puzzles, pretty notebooks, and more.

They offer postcard postal service too!

Location: G33 & G34, Ground Floor, Central Market, Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily 

Ainna Artwork

This DIY batik spot is a wonderful space for kids and adults to try their hand at batik painting. It’s an especially fun activity idea for toddlers!

You’ll find plenty of ready-made batik templates to choose from, ranging from RM15 to RM30 (around USD$3.50 to USD$7) depending on the size you pick. 

We went with orchids 🙂 

Aprons and all painting materials are provided by the shop. Once you’re done painting, they’ll blow dry your design and you’re good to go!

Location: Lot 1.03A, Ground Floor, Central Market Annexe, Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 10.30 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily 

Kakao Origin

Fun fact: My 4-year-old daughter has a 64-year-old grandma’s taste haha she LOVES a good dark chocolate!

I came across this chocolate drinks bar in Central Market that makes drinks from cacao beans sourced from different parts of Malaysia. I didn’t even know Malaysia had all these different kinds!

We went with the 72% Semai. I was BLOWN AWAY. The flavor is incredible, and I love that they focus solely on the chocolate and milk without any additional sugar.

Interestingly enough, you can also choose to add herbs and spices to your chocolate drink! Tip: Ask for a pinch of sea salt. Chocolate + salt = HEAVEN! It’s my secret ingredient for making the best-ever hot chocolate at home. 🙂

Location: Lot U-01, Ground Floor, Central Market Annexe, Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily

Stop #6: Mountbatten Cafe

Time for a coffee stop!

We left Central Market and took a nice stroll along Jalan Tun Perak. It’s wonderful seeing the colonial shophouses, now reinterpreted into modern establishments.

I’ve always passed by Mountbatten Cafe when driving around KL and I thought it was the perfect time to stop by since we were on foot in the area.

The cafe’s name is an homage to the former name of the street, which in turn takes its name after the British statesman.

I love the coffee here! Now, to be fair, I’m no coffee connoisseur and I can’t ever tell what notes I can taste, but all I can say is their hot Americano is such a soul-soothing treat after an afternoon of exploring.

The food menu is always pretty interesting, offering imaginative Western dishes with a unique Peranakan influence.

Location: 58 Jalan Tun Perak, Kuala Lumpur (8-min walk from Central Market)

Opening hours: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily

Stop #7: River Of Life

Before we ended the night, we decided to stroll along the River of Life waterfront.

This significant spot is where the two main rivers of Kuala Lumpur meet, and this confluence gave birth to the bustling city we know today.

The River of Life area is brightly lit up at night, with water fountains splashing around. I’d thought they had nightly shows in this area but we didn’t see anything of the sort. I’ll need to update my previous post on things to do at night in KL >.<

DIY Walking Tour of Kuala Lumpur: Hotel Recs

If you’re planning to do this self-guided walking tour of Kuala Lumpur soon, you can make a fun family staycation out of it! Here are some really good kid-friendly hotels in the area I’d recommend:

Get 14+ more ideas of the best kid-friendly hotels in Kuala Lumpur.

Wrap-Up

Did you enjoy this DIY walking tour of Kuala Lumpur itinerary? Let me know if you’d like to see more of these chill itinerary ideas to explore the city!

For a more in-depth itinerary, check out this 3-day Kuala Lumpur itinerary that’s perfect for families. It has a good mix of KL’s best attractions and meals (including local meal options for little ones!) and it has the same relaxed pace 🙂 

Kid-Friendly Kuala Lumpur 3 Day Itinerary 2024 (+ Map)

Get To Know The Best Family-Friendly Activities In KL:

Planning To Move To KL?