Originally Posted by
thelostshark
Kuala Lumpur just made the NY Times' list of 52 places to go this year, and they're recommending the Chow Kit district.
the district is home to the country’s largest fresh-produce market, Southeast Asia’s biggest Sikh temple and eclectic new restaurants like the Caribbean-influenced Joloko. Along Jalan Doraisamy, a one-way street that runs off the district’s main artery and was once a popular nightclub strip, reimagined shophouses have become The Row, an enclave of hip stores, art spaces and places to eat and drink."
JL Doraisamy is a three-stop ride from Bukit Bintang monorail station, a couple of dollars Grab ride or maybe 20-minutes' walk (if you are up to such activity!).
Chow Kit proper is an area many visitors see as run down and edgy. In fact it's just Malaysia without the glitz and glamour of the KLCC-type developments. I wouldn't recommend is a stay-in part of the city on a first visit. If you do stay, and prefer "brand" hotels, there's a Sheraton out towards the cited JL Doraisamy area, and a couple of very good value Hilton Garden Inns more centrally situated by Chow Kit market.