Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur


Chow Kit is one of the most colourful neighbourhoods in Kuala Lumpur, located just north of the city centre. It is famous for its traditional market, lively street scenes, and rich history dating back to the early 20th century. The area was named after Loke Chow Kit, a prominent businessman and philanthropist who owned the first department store in British Malaya1.

Location and Surroundings

The Chow Kit area is located in the northern part of Kuala Lumpurs city centre, between Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, the latter being the former southern stretch of Jalan Ipoh. The renaming took place in 2014 to honour the late Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak. Meanwhile, the northern portion beyond Sentul retains the old name, Jalan Ipoh, often described as the remaining or "rump" section of the historic route.

Chow Kit Market

The heart of the neighbourhood is the Chow Kit Market, one of Kuala Lumpur’s largest traditional markets. It consists of both a wet market selling fresh produce, meat, and seafood, and a dry section offering clothes, household items, and local snacks. The market is particularly lively in the morning and is a fascinating spot for visitors to observe daily life in the city2.

Transportation

Chow Kit is well served by public transport. The Chow Kit Monorail Station on the KL Monorail provides easy access to Bukit Bintang and KL Sentral, while the PWTC LRT Station on the LRT Ampang Line is also nearby. The area is easily reachable by major roads including Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz3.

Landmarks and Nearby Attractions

Nearby attractions include the Sunway Putra Mall, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), and the historic Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman shopping street. The neighbourhood is also close to Kampung Baru and the city’s Golden Triangle area.

Real Estate

Residential and commercial properties in Chow Kit are a mix of old walk-up apartments, refurbished shophouses, and newer serviced residences. As of September 2025, property prices here are relatively lower compared to nearby Bukit Bintang or KLCC, with serviced apartments averaging around RM800–RM1,000 per square foot4. Ongoing redevelopment projects aim to rejuvenate parts of the district while maintaining its historical character.

Character and Atmosphere

Chow Kit’s atmosphere is lively, diverse, and unmistakably urban. It is home to local traders, immigrants, and long-time residents, giving it a cosmopolitan yet distinctly Malaysian feel. The mix of traditional markets, mosques, eateries, and heritage buildings reflects the multicultural identity of Kuala Lumpur itself.

Chow Kit is on the Map of Neighbourhoods of Kuala Lumpur

References

  1. The Star – The Story Behind Chow Kit
  2. Time Out Kuala Lumpur – Chow Kit Market
  3. MRT Corp – Public Transport in Malaysia
  4. iProperty Malaysia – Chow Kit Urban Redevelopment

Page Details

This page was created on 10 October 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.

Articles related to Residential Properties in Kuala Lumpur

Want to share your Kuala Lumpur travel experiences or get tips from fellow travellers?

Join the Kuala Lumpur Travel Tips Facebook Group

More information for visiting and living in Kuala Lumpur

Here are some related articles to help you get to know Kuala Lumpur better.

 Latest Pages & Updates

Buy Me A Coffee

If you enjoy the information I provide and want to support the work I do, please buy me a coffee! I appreciate it immensely, thank you so much!
Support me here

 Backtrack | HOME | Latest Updates | Kuala Lumpur Streets & Sights