The namesake of Jalan Chan Sow Lin was a tin-mining tycoon, Towkay Chan Sow Lin, JP, MSC1 (1845-1927), who was involved in the Larut Wars. Initially residing in Perak, he relocated to Selangor with his friend Loke Yew in 1883.
Jalan Chan Sow Lin runs through an industrial part of Kuala Lumpur. There are a number of factories here, among them Kah Motor, Asia Bolts & Nuts and Hyundai One Auto Marketing.