Kwai Chai Hong on Lorong Panggung is a hidden back alley which was facelifted to become one of Kuala Lumpur's insta-worthy spot and tourist attraction. A visit to Kwai Chai Hong will send you back to the Chinatown in 1960s.
Getting there:
MRT/LRT: Pasar Seni station. Kwai Chai Hong is behind the row of shophouses along Jalan Panggung. You can park at open air carpark at Jalan Panggung - just a 2-min walk.
The bright yellow building with blue wooden windows next to Kwai Chai Hong immediately captured my attention as I was entering the alley. The weather was very hot. I need a giant size ice cream to cool me down.
Immediately next to this building is the entrance to Kwai Chai Hong. You can't miss it with the big Chinese letters 鬼仔巷 written above the black gate.
The name of Kwai Chai Hong literally translated as "Little Ghost Alley" in Cantonese dialect. There are a few theories on the origin of its name. It could be referring to naughty children who used to play in the back lanes as Kwai Chai, or it could be referring to the delinquents who were engaging in illegal activities in the area.
I visited Kwai Chai Hong twice - once in September last year and again last week with my hubby and son since it was school holiday. This time, they have installed new art installation themed "Everlasting Beauty" which pays tribute to the classic Wan Shou Wu Jiang 万寿无疆 Porcelain. This art installation is available from 26 March till 2 May 2021.
The new art installation includes a lady sculpture sitting by the entrance which is made of broken pieces of porcelain and the numerous colourful Wan Shou Wu Jiang textile hanging over bamboo stilts.
The first mural is a lovey-dovey couple sitting on the red bridge.
Couple in modern times vs couple in good old times, haha.
The Er Hu uncle entertaining himself with er hu, a Chinese musical instrument. The lovely murals depicts life in the 1960's in KL Chinatown and each has an interactive QR code besides it which will play a soundtrack when you scan the QR code.
Kids in those days did not have fancy electronic gadgets to keep them occupied. They just played on the alley. Looks like my son was unwilling to play with them, haha.
"Hello, uncle. Can you teach me how to write Chinese calligraphy?"
A lady enticing passerby with her red scarf from a window. Oh no! Looks like my hubby is hooked. Let go of that scarf, immediately!
At the end of the alley is a staircase leading to a two and half story mural depicting life on the bustling shop houses back in the 60s. You can sit on the barber chair to get a hair cut or skip over the rope with the children.
Besides sight-seeing, you can indulge in food in cafe, restaurants or pubs around the Kwai Chai Hong such as Bubble Bee Cafe, The Soybean Factory, Pandan Republic, Concubine KL, Bun Choon, Asia Street Food Club, Da Bao, Gui Gui BBQ, SSS, G-String KL and Day One Noodles.
Nearby Kwai Chai Hong at the end of Lorong Panggung, you will find another colourful two-storey high interactive mural made in collaboration between Oppo, Abdulrashade Studio and WheyChillin Ice Cream KL in conjunction with the launch of the new Oppo Reno5 smartphone. It will lit up with its bright neon lights at night when two people stand in front of it.
Do not miss this little hidden gem while visiting KL!
Also, the famous Petaling Street is just around the corner if you're visiting Kwai Chai Hong.
Kwai Chai HongOpens from 9am till midnight daily.
Official website: https://www.kwaichaihong.com/
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