Central Market

Lonely Planet review

Housed in a glorious Art Deco building that looks more Miami than Southeast Asia, the Central Market was the wet market for the miners of old Kuala Lumpur. The market was constructed by the British in 1888 and was nearly demolished in the 1970s before the Malaysian Heritage Society intervened to save it for future generations. Today, it houses a touristy but colourful market with some good handicrafts - batiks, wood carvings, kris (Malay daggers), durian candies - and Malay fabrics on sale.

Prices are often elevated so bargain hard.

Look out for what the locals regard as the king of fruits - the durian - the most expensive fruit. Should you feel tempted, be warned that durians are banned from most hotels, shopping malls and cinemas. Heed this advice - you may be asked to leave if your durian is upsetting other patrons. There is a host of other fruit to look out for, all coming into season at different times of year. Keep an eye out for the following sweet delights: buah nona (custard apple), buah salak (snakeskin fruit), chikoo (sapota or sapodilla), cempedak (Malaysian breadfruit), dragon fruit, duku (dokong or langsat), guava, jambu merah Malay apple, longan, lychee, mango (many varieties), mangosteen, pomelo, rambutan, soursop, starfruit, and tamarind.