Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur

This afternoon’s visit to Petaling Street, otherwise known as Chinatown, in Kuala Lumpur proved to be disappointing.

It is no longer the place it used to be, vibrant and busy, with vendors calling out, to attract customers to their stalls. There used to be more carts on wheels, selling roasts and other delectable eats.

Today,the voices that greeted my ears were speaking in foreign tongues; vendors were not locals but foreigners of different shades. The goods on display were cheap products sourced from China. Imitation bags, watches, clothing of dubious quality, sun glasses, etc., were on display along the street, often obscuring the high street shops.

With the Chinese New Year just days away, the décor along the street was nothing to shout about, just a few lanterns high above the street.

In fact there was no atmosphere at all, not like the yester years when the festive spirit was in the air with everyone making purchases to welcome in the new year.