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Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) is a traditional shopping district in Kuala Lumpur. It lies just north of the City Center and is named after its main artery, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, which is often abbreviated to Jalan TAR.

[edit] Understand

Besides Jalan TAR, the district also is home to the colorful shopping street of Jalan Masjid India, which is chock-a-block with shops specializing in saris and other Indian apparel. Indeed, the area is sometimes called Little India, although several other parts of KL (notably Brickfields) compete for that title and these days there are at least as many Indonesians around.

The northern part of the district is called Chow Kit, known among locals as KL's low-end red light district, but it's also famous for bargain shopping and food. The famous Chow Kit Wet Market has never stopped being the favorite wet market of all. You'll also be able to see things which you'll never be able to find elsewhere in KL, like the full array of Malay traditional medicine. The Jalan Haji Hussein street market at night is similar to Chinatown's Petaling street offering fake goods & delicious local food which is located just off the Chow Kit Monorail stop.

The Tuanku Abdul Rahman end of Jalan Sultan Ismail has become KL's new hot nightspot. Nicknamed Heritage Row, restaurants and clubs are now breathing new life into the old dilapidated terrace houses of Jalan Doraisamy and Jalan Yap Ah Shak, just off Jalan Sultan Ismail.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By train

LRT Masjid Jamek Station is at the southern end of Jalan Masjid India, right next to the start of the bazaar.

The Monorail services Chow Kit, linking it directly with Titiwangsa, Bukit Nanas, Hang Tuah and KL Sentral along with other smaller stations. The Chow Kit Station is located at the intersection of Jalan Pahang, Jalan Ipoh, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

[edit] By Bus

Bus routes B101 and B103 run from Titiwangsa to Chow Kit.

[edit][add listing] See

• Istana Budaya (National Theatre), Istana Budaya, Jalan Tun Razak, ☎ +603 4026-5555, Box Office: +603 4026-5558, [1]. Istana Budaya (meaning Palace of Culture) is home to the National Theatre and is equipped with cutting edge stage, sound and lighting equipment on par with the top theatres around the world. It host productions of both domestic and international origins. The building itself is a beautiful and a tourist attraction.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

So what is there to do in Tuanku Abdul Rahman? Shop till you drop! Escape the heat in air conditioned malls and department stores, dine with people from around the world and haggle for the best deals on the streets.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Jalan Tuanku Adbul Rahman is lined with establish department stores, malls and shopping centers haggling is ok in most location but for the best deals find your way down the alleys to find a variety of goods and fantastic clothing.

[edit] Markets

• Masjid India Bazaar, Along Jln Melayu, Jln Masjid India. Daily. A covered bazaar stretching out from LRT Masjid Jamek towards Little India, quite similar in feel to the more famous Jalan Petaling but not as large or crowded -- not necessarily a bad thing.  edit

• Pasar Malam, Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman. 5PM - 10PM Saturday. This Saturday night market is an experience whether you are looking for a bargain, local products, or just an authentic Malaysian market experience.  edit

[edit] Stores and malls

• Campbell Complex. Textiles.  edit
• GS Gills, 9th Floor 106 Jalan Tuanku Adbul Rahman, ☎ +603 2698-3477. The top sporting goods distributes in Mayalsia, carrying all sorts of sporting equipment and attire.  edit
• Pertama Complex (Jalan TAR). Opened in 1976 as Kuala Lumpur's very first shopping mall, and still good for cheap shoes, leather ware and other knick-knacks.  edit
• Sogo Shopping Complex, 190 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, ☎ +603 2698-2111, [2]. 10AM- 9:30PM Daily. The BIGGEST department store you will ever see, with 10 floors of shopping, dinning and entertainment. If you budget permits, you can shop here for everything from clothing to high-tech toys.  edit
• The Mall, Jalan Raja Laut (parallel to Jalan TAR, opp Putra WTC).  edit
• Wisma Shen.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

Places to eat are scattered throughout the district, with stalls concentrated along Jalan Doraisamy near the Heritage Row and Jalan Raja Abdullah in Kampung Baru (for Malay food); Chinese coffeeshops along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and lanes off it, and Chow Kit; Indian in the Jalan Masjid India area; and upmarket restaurants on Heritage Row.

[edit] Budget

• Yut Kee, 35, Jalan Dang Wangi. Tel: +60-3-26988108 - A true KL establishment, this Chinese coffeeshop is famous for its Hainanese-style chicken chop and roti babi, pork sandwich.

• Kampung Baru is a Malay food haven at affordable prices. Non-touristy & in traditional kampung setting. Over 100 stalls available. Most are open 24 hours. LRT station : Kampung Baru, or Monorail station : Chow Kit. A popular spot, "La Cuisine" is a 24-hour food court offering a variety of local & western foods.

[edit] Mid range

• Coliseum Cafe and Bar, 98 Jln. Tuanku Abdul Rahman. A KL legend, this colonial-style hangout hasn't changed its appearance or staff in over 80 years. Service is surly and the tablecloths could use a good wash, but their Western food, particularly the "sizzling" steaks on a hot plate (from RM35), is still one of the best deals in town. Also try a freshly mixed shandy (beer and lemonade, RM8) in the adjacent smoky bar.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Nightlife in this district is either of the partying variety at Heritage Row, as Jalan Doraisamy is now popularly known as, or the "hanging out at the Mamak stall" kind. As for the latter, Mamak stalls (stalls or food shops run by Indian Muslims) can be found everywhere but the most popular is actually just next to Heritage Row, nearer the intersection between Jalan Doraisamy and Jalan Dang Wangi.

[edit] Clubs and bars

• Bar SaVanh/Cochine, [3] 64, Jalan Doraisamy. Tel: +60-3-26971180.
• The Loft
• Cynna Bar

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

Jalan TAR

• Tune Hotels[4], 316 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. (Monorail: Medan Tuanku) - affiliated with AirAsia and provides cheap rooms from RM9.99 if booked few months ahead, otherwise walk-in rates about RM90. Following the no-frills concept, there are additional charges for air-con, towels and toiletries, and no in-room TVs. American fast-food restaurant Subway also available inside.

Chow Kit

• City Park Hotel Kuala Lumpur, 46, Lorong Haji Hussein Satu, Off Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz [5] has 128 rooms, some smoking, some non-smoking. Rates from RM90 for standard room.

• Hostel Cosmopolitan, 4th Floor, 73 & 75, Jalan Haji Hussein (50m from Chow Kit monorail station), ☎ +60-(0)12-2689305 (hostelcosmopolitan@yahoo.com), [6]. Opened in April 2007, backpacker hostel that only accepts foreigners. Free breakfast & free internet/Wi-Fi 24 hours. Air-con dorm beds from RM24, fan dorm RM20, single room RM50, double/twin room RM75.  edit

• Wira Hotel, 123 Jalan Thamboosamy. Tel: +60-3-40423333 [7] Rates from RM110 for a standard room.

[edit] Mid range

• Brisdale Hotel, [8] 65, Jalan Haji Hussein, Off Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Tel: 60-3-26948833 - Three-star hotel in Chow Kit. Rooms from RM120.

• Citin Hotel Masjid Jamek, No. 7, Seksyen 33, corner of Jalan Melayu/Jalan Masjid India (1 min to LRT Masjid Jamek), ☎ +60-3-26932999. Opened October 2009 smack dab in the middle of the bazaar, offers small but surprisingly slick, quiet and sparkling clean rooms. Aircon, free wifi/breakfast. From RM115.  edit

• City Villa Hotel, Jalan Haji Hussein, off Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. 3-star hotel in Chow Kit. Close to te nightly food market. Rooms from RM110.

• Grand Seasons Hotel, Jalan Pahang (basically same road as Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman). 4-star hotel with excellent facilities. rates from RM200. 2 minutes walk from Chow Kit monorail station.

• Leo Palace Hotel, Jalan Ramat, off Jalan Ipoh, tel. 60-3 -4043 5555, [9]. Slightly above average budget hotel, 5 min walk to monorail/Putra WTC. Rooms from RM123.

• Quality Hotel City Centre, [10] Jalan Raja Laut. Tel: +60-3-26939233. Fax: +60-3-26939634 - Member of Choice Hotels International, this 250-room hotel is more than decent for its price. Room rates online start at RM168. Attention with online-bookings: At Checkout the Reception easily 'forgets' to deduct the 10% deposit fee !

[edit] Stay safe

Chow Kit has a bad reputation among locals, although the drug problem that used to plague has mostly been cleaned up. Exercise a little more caution than usual, especially at night.

[edit] Contact