The unique cultural landscape components from community lifestyles, ethnobotany plants, local cuisines and crops, ethnic patterns and motives to local languages, social beliefs and interactions are the attractions of the areas that create the identities to the place which can be further developed into tourism products.
Some of the old town in the city are lacking of economic activities and tourism attractions. To stimulate economic activities and tourism attraction of the town, the upgrading programme and refurbishment works was carried out based on the authorities design requirement that ensure minor alterations to be done to preserve the original appearance of the building design.
‘Ghost Alley’ ‘Guizai Xiang’ is an alley that consists 10 numbers of old shop lot that located between Lorong Panggung and Jalan Petaling in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was upgraded to preserve the historical and cultural value of local Chinese and enhance the tourism activities in Kuala Lumpur Chinatown.
The alley arouse everyone’s curiosity, especially the business operating in the alley. 10 old shop lots were selected and renovated turn to be tourist attraction, gathering place for artists and photographers, as new spot for photography!
Why it called as ‘Ghost Alley’? There are 2 origin stories. 1st story explaining the little kids like to play in the alley during raining days, old folks like to call them “Guizai”. Therefore the residents in the neighbourhood called it as Guizai Xiang, which’s means Ghost Alley.
2nd story explaining this alley was gathering various illegal activities such as gamblers, opium users, smokers, prostitutes, and whores in old times. So it was nicknamed as ‘Guizai Xiang’ which means ‘Ghost Alley’.
The art murals showing the daily life of local Chinese gathering place in the 1960s. It helps foreign tourists to understand history and culture of local Chinese in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
I was travelling to ‘Guizai Xiang’ during my trip to Malaysia (Vaccinated travel lane) between Singapore and Malaysia. The place was absolutely impressed me.
The art murals were completed by 5 artists which took 2 months for full completion. In order to make these murals more realistic and interactive, there is a QR code next to the each mural. The visitors can scan the audio of the related murals by picking up their mobile phones.
The ‘Guizai Xiang’ preserve extremely rich culture and heritage to pass it on to the next generation. The art murals infuses the artistic and cultural value that fully demonstrating the character.
Every corner is mottled trace of the years, and every mural tells the stories and memories left by the predecessors. Whether it is a child playing marbles, an old man playing the erhu, or a gentleman helping people write copybooks, they are all full of old-time Chinese society.
This tiger mural became a hot spot for photography due to this year is Tiger Year in Lunar Chinese New Year.
What surprised me the most is that it still has one of the oldest street lights in Kuala Lumpur! After a minor repair and touching up, the street lights can still be used as usual, which is a testimony of connection between modern and past history.
Continued my walk to the other side of ‘Guizai Xiang’ is like step into the memories of the old days.
The vivid murals seem to tell the stores of the predecessors to the people who visit here. I believe that the local Chinese especially grandparents will definitely have a deep feeling when they arrive here.
There are many classic murals and people in 1960s used baskets to collect ‘express’ or goods downstairs, perfectly restoring the scene of tenants.
Mural of the old time barber and his antique chair
Mural of jumping rope for little kids
The “Guizai Xiang” is creating business opportunities, employment opportunities, and improve the local economy by promoting the commercial activities and attracting more domestic and foreign tourists to visit there.
How do you think of this Ghost Alley “Guizai Xiang”? Do you like to pay a visit?
Really appreciate for those who reading my post.
Wish you have a nice day! Thank you.
Author: Cherry Ng, Landscape Architect at Freelance Landscape Design
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/fldlandscapedesign
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The artists really stepped up to make Ghost Alley the place that it is. It is like a walking storybook to take a trip there. I can follow the story without knowing the language. I think they did an impressive job of getting the historical facts out. I would love to take a trip there and be able to walk that path.
I am sure you had a wonderful time. I like the stairs bridging the old and new and honestly, the entire thing is a piece of art! Bravo!
I want to thank you for being a part of the #MarketFriday Challenge. I have personally found there is always so much to learn about people, where they live, and how things are done in different parts of the world. For me, reaching out across the globe and learning about different cultures through their markets, especially local markets and farmers' markets, has been such a rewarding experience. We have become a melting pot of culture, but, it is still the rituals, festivals, food, architecture, even your language/languages that separate us... and what is normal for us? There are unwritten rules that rule our social behaviors. I see this as allowing for increased tolerance between cultures and nations, and opportunities to come together on an even playing ground. I have learned so much about all of you and it has been an amazing experience. We do differ in many ways, which makes us interesting and unique, but, there are many ways in which are so much alike.
Fridays are all about the #MarketFriday Challenge! Looking to take part in it? Here is how:
Take pictures! Be creative!
5. Drop the link into the MarketFriday comment section so I can find it
**7. You must put #MarketFriday by @dswigle somewhere on your post.
As always, please remember! #MarketFriday loves you!
Upped and reposted
Me encanta este post en todos los aspectos, ver el arte plasmado en las paredes contando la cultura y la antigua historia es fasinante. La pintura esta tan viva y esta tan bien retratado que es como si la persona de la pared estuviera viva, otra cosa que me encanto fue saber lo del codigo QR me encanta la idea de pasear y con escanear el codigo ya puedes escuchar un audio-tur del lugar.
I love this post in all aspects, seeing the art on the walls telling the culture and ancient history is fascinating. The painting is so alive and it is so well portrayed that it is as if the person on the wall were alive, another thing that I loved was knowing about the QR code, I love the idea of walking and by scanning the code you can already listen to an audio- tour of the place
Thank you @ginethchira2301 for your kind comments. It's my pleasure you like this Ghost Alley. It became a tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur nowadays.
Thanks for reading through. Really appreciate.
Have a nice weekend, my dear!
How are you doing dear friend Cherry @cherryng? Indeed, dead locations, quiet neighborhoods, and unprofitable places that are also historic landmarks are a waste of precious investments. Unless they are brought back to life, economic activities in these areas will not thrive further. Art, nature, design, and architecture are known to be some of the best ways to inject a breathing ecosystem back into these dilapidated localities. And the Ghost Alley in Malaysia looks like a fine demonstration of these types of developments.
Are there similar communities like these ones still existing back in Singapore? 😊
Well said. Thank you my dear friend Erne for kind comments.
how are you getting on? Hope you always doing well.
Besides that, the cultural and heritage value of the place is vital to emphasis as it is nostalgia for local residents and also key criteria for tourist attractions.
The upgrading of building and landscape is well planned and constructed in Singapore. There are also many art murals and painting added for neighbourhood and commercial areas. For example, Ang Mo Kio Town Center.
Ghost Alley has strong character in terms of cultural landscape. The art murals are impressed that attracts local and foreigners to visit.
I'm doing well, thank you, dear Cherry! For a highly sophisticated country like Singapore, it's not surprising how they've organized their urban planning methods, progressing the location to a world-class community. You're so blessed to be a native resident of Singapore, enjoying all the benefits of excellent governance, harmonious living, and the healing benefits of the lush gardens of nature. You guys are certainly doing a fantastic job! 👍
Thank you for featuring this remarkable Malaysian neighborhood called Ghost Alley. This spectacular landmark is obviously a treat for the senses. Warm greetings, and have a wonderful week! 😊
Thank you my dear friend Erne.
Have a great week ahead.
Wishing you and your family stay healthy and safe always. 🌼🌻🌞🌹🌺❤️🎊🎉🍻
That looks absolutely awesome. As you might know I love streetart and would absolutely love to visit that place. so cool.
Hello @betterthanhome ! Thank you for dropping by. I am glad that you like my post. It means a lot.
Have a great weekend! 🌞🌹🌸❤️🎈🌺☺️
I love the lanterns, they make the view so much beautiful.
Yes, agreed. It brings a lot of joyful and festival ambience to the place.
You're welcome (^_^)
It is seen that the community has put a lot of emphasis on setting the streets, the color is a hook for tourists and even more so the designs or murals with different scenarios; that gives even more added value to the ride.
Excellent your publication, greetings.
Thank you @jhonnygo for reading through and kind comments. Really appreciated.
Yes, the community is creating an alley to bring out strong character in terms of cultural and historical which become a tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur.
Thank you again for dropping by.
Have a great weekend!🌞🌹🌸❤️🎈🌺☺️
Congratulations @cherryng! We're delighted to specially curate your awesome publication and award it SILVER MARK in Architecture Brew #63. More power!
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Qué buen proyecto cultural y turístico. Muy importante para sus habitantes
Thank you @gentleshaid for dropping by.
I visited Gui Zai Xiang "Ghost Alley" in day time with beautiful weather. Therefore I able to capture the colorful views.
Yes, I wrote the history and story of "Ghost Alley".
Really appreciate your kind comments. Thank you for reading my post.
Have a nice day!😃🌸❤️
Thank you @manpass.
Yes, a nice place to visit and chill out ☺️