Instagram This #5: Kwai Chai Hong 鬼仔巷, Chinatown, KL

Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown has recently undergone a revival, much to the delight of KL-ites. The rebirth of Kwai Chai Hong 鬼仔巷 in the heart of Chinatown gives us a glimpse of Chinatown in its heyday, with interactive murals taking the spotlight here.

Open daily from 9am to 12am daily, Kwai Chai Hong 鬼仔巷 takes visitors on a journey back in time to the 1960s golden era of KL Chinatown.  The charming alley is dotted with murals on the walls and lovingly-restored pre-war buildings, along with QR codes which you can scan to learn more about the area and its history. 

Some of the murals found here depict the daily activities of early Chinese settlers in the area during the 1960s.

Chinese calligraphers who write auspicious sayings and help settlers write letters home.

Playing a game with Chinese jump rope (made using rubber bands)

The largest piece of mural here is the one above the stairs - barbers carrying out their business in open air, businesses which use baskets and pulleys to deliver goods from the first floor down to customers etc.

Here at Kwai Chai Hong 鬼仔巷, you will also find Kuala Lumpur's oldest lamp post  – which dates back to the early 1900s when electricity first arrived in the city.

Kwai Chai Hong 鬼仔巷 is a 2-min walk away from MRT Pasar Seni (Exit A), located on Lorong Panggung. Entrance to Kwai Chai Hong is free. There are also many restaurants and bars to be explored in this area such as Concubine KL, Quan's Kitchen, Wildflowers KL, Chocha Foodstore, Poh's Tau Fu Fah, Hawker Chan and more.

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Instagram This #4: Empire Damansara, PJ

We discovered a really Instaworthy place in the form of Empire Damansara when we were here recently for lunch. 

Yes, this is the Instafamous place in PJ known for their colorful overhead umbrellas and ornate metal stairs. 

First, some photos of the metal staircases leading up to the rooftop.

Looking down from the rooftop...

If I'm not mistaken, they change out the umbrellas... have seen it in shade of blue and red before as well as Chinese lanterns during Chinese New Year. Currently, they're multicoloured umbrellas.

The best angle is from outside San Nae Deul

Rainbow overhead ;)

Empire Damansara is also home to DPAC (Damansara Performing Arts Centre)... love this brick wall and corridor outside White Sand Cafe

And these tall palm trees

Art installation just outside DPAC

You're my ray of sunshine (located on the First Floor)

You may also want to check out our review for Nippori Cafe, located on the first floor of Heritage Lane, where you can enjoy an Instaworthy (and very delicious) meal there.


Location: Empire Damansara, Jalan PJU8/8, Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. (Parking rate RM2 for first hour, RM1 for subsequent hour on weekdays, RM2 per entry on weekends).

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Instagram This #3: Jonker Street, Melaka

For the third installation of Instagram This, we head over to Melaka and share with you some of the most Instaworthy spots on Melaka's most famous street, Jonker Street.

Jonker Street is a popular tourist attraction, so it is very busy everyday, especially on weekends when they have the night markets. It is home to many restaurants, boutique hotels, museums as well as cool cafes. Most of these places open after 9am, so if like me, you prefer less or no people in your photos, then come before 9am and you literally get the whole place to yourself.

Hokkien Huay Kuan 

Since they weren't open yet, we could take a shot with the ornate doors.

 Colorful letterboxes are always Instaworthy!

 Beautiful Peranakan buildings

Took this shot on our last visit to Melaka; this is possibly one of my favourite spots. So quaint and old school!

Off Jonker Street is this Jalan Tukang Besi, which has shops, boutique hotels, murals and temples.

Melaka San Duo Temple

Windmill at Dutch Square

Overlooking Melaka river

For more pictures of Jonker Street, check out this previous post. Also, check out our post on our historical walk through Melaka.



Location: Jonker Street, Melaka (Street parking available - pay using display coupons).

If you enjoyed reading my posts, LIKE me on Facebook! You can also follow me on Instagram (@babysumo) for more photo updates or subscribe to our YouTube channel. Thanks :)

Instagram This #2: Street Art in Jalan Alor, KL

Jalan Alor is famous as a street food haven in Malaysia. Did you know that you can also find some really cool street art here too?

For our second post of this Instagram This series, we bring you to Jalan Alor to explore the colorful street art in the area. Lots of great photo opportunities here, so go on and be a tourist in your own city!

We started off our street art walk from Ramada KLCC. You can find this giant mural on the wall adjacent to the hotel.

Most of the buildings here are painted in varying colours of the rainbow.  We like this section with a cool installation of floating clouds.

The buildings are painted with murals of trees and a stream (apparently there was a stream running here many many years ago)

More colourful buildings and birds. Look for "Graffiti alley" on google maps.

And butterflies..

Bubble-blowing boy (or is he blowing leaves?)

Some history on the "Lost Stream of Jalan Alor"

A fierce looking owl

Super pretty looking flat! Dragonflies flying in the sky... 

Hello kitty!

Bunnies painted on doors

This was one of my favourite streets... with this striking yellow background and cats

And this beautiful colorful mural of ladybugs and macaw

You can also get a nice view of KL Tower from here

See the clever tie-in of snails to the exhaust pipes.

Lovebirds

A giant durian outside one of the stalls near Jalan Alor

Back to where we started, around Jalan Mesui

Location: Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur.

Nearest MRT: Bukit Bintang.

If you enjoyed reading my posts, LIKE me on Facebook! You can also follow me on Instagram (@babysumo) for more photo updates or subscribe to our YouTube channel. Thanks :)