Tour operator
Simply Enak Food Tours
Founded in 2011, Simply Enak runs small-group and private street food tours of Kuala Lumpur with local guides, from Pudu's markets to KL after dark.
Jadi Batek Gallery Batik Workshop
At Jadi Batek Gallery off Jalan Imbi, visitors colour their own batik on cloth with an instructor's help in a short, family-friendly workshop and take the result home.
At a glance
- Type
- Batik painting workshop
- Area
- Bukit Bintang (Jalan Imbi), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Good to know
- Guided batik colouring
- No experience needed
- Take-home artwork
- Family friendly
Why we recommend it
Jadi Batek Gallery offers one of the most enjoyable hands-on cultural experiences in central Kuala Lumpur: the chance to colour your own piece of batik, the wax-resist dyed textile that is one of Malaysia's best-known crafts. The gallery, run by Jadi Batek Gallery Sdn Bhd, is on Jalan Inai, a side street off Jalan Imbi on the edge of the Bukit Bintang district, and its short workshops are featured by Tourism Malaysia as one of the city's visitor experiences.
Batik is made by drawing designs on fabric with hot wax, which resists the dye, so that colour can be applied in sections without running. In the workshop, the waxed outlines are already in place. You choose a design, mix your own colour combinations and paint them onto a 20 by 20 centimetre square of batik cloth, watching the colours bleed up to the wax lines and stop. Instructors guide you through each step, from choosing colours to finishing your design, so no previous experience or artistic talent is needed.
The session takes around 30 to 45 minutes, which makes it easy to fit into a day of sightseeing or shopping in Bukit Bintang. When you have finished, your batik is yours to keep, and it makes an original souvenir or gift, far more personal than anything you could buy in a mall. It is also a good introduction to the craft before you shop for batik textiles at Central Market or elsewhere in the city.
The workshop suits first-timers, families with children, couples, groups of friends and tourists looking for a relaxed, creative break from the heat. Children usually enjoy the painting, and it is an indoor activity, so it is a good option on a rainy afternoon. Wear clothes you do not mind getting a little dye on, and allow extra time if you are in a group, as everyone works at their own pace.
Check the Tourism Malaysia deals page or contact the gallery for current workshop times and booking details before you go. Jalan Inai is a short walk from Jalan Imbi and the shopping streets of Bukit Bintang, and the Imbi and Bukit Bintang monorail stations are the nearest rail stops. The workshop pairs well with dinner on Jalan Alor or a coffee at one of the cafes nearby.
Jadi Batek Gallery Batik Workshop FAQs
What happens in the batik workshop?
You choose a design, mix colours and paint a 20 by 20 cm piece of batik cloth with guidance from an instructor.
Do I need any experience?
No, instructors guide you through every step.
How long does it take?
Around 30 to 45 minutes.
Can I keep my batik?
Yes, you take your finished batik home as a souvenir.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, it is suitable for families and kids.
Where is Jadi Batek Gallery?
At 30 Jalan Inai, off Jalan Imbi, near Bukit Bintang.
Which station is nearest?
The Imbi and Bukit Bintang monorail stations.
Who runs the gallery?
Jadi Batek Gallery Sdn Bhd.