AN urban treasure hunt took some 200 people around the haunts of old Petaling Jaya, bringing new eyes to its charms.

Petaling Jaya Old Town City Walk saw the participants visiting eight shops in the commercial area and learning about their decades-old business.

They were also required to collect stamps from these shops and some 25 vendors stationed in and around Jalan Othman Bus Terminal, where the event was flagged off, as proof of their visit.

“Although my family runs a business here, the treasure hunt was still a good chance to rediscover the neighbourhood,” said Pearl Chong, who participated with her children Allyshea and Pierston Low, and aunt Helen Hon.

“My children were very excited about the treasure hunt and to discover shops unfamiliar to them, such as Brother Lim Cushion. I never knew that the Heng Fatt Watch Company had been around for so long.”

Pearl (left) posing for a wefie with her aunt Hon and children Pierston and Allyshea.

For Desa Mentari residents and sisters-in-law Marina Azman and Rosnin Kamarudin, the event served as a family bonding session.

“We usually spend our weekends doing activities in the city with the extended family,” said Marina.

While they have lived in Petaling Jaya since their schooldays, Rosnin said the event allowed them to get to know some of the neighbourhood’s long-established businesses and their history.

Marina’s daughters Nurqairina Safeera Rostam and Nurqairisya Saheera, and Rosnin’s daughter Nur Zaara Adrianna Amirah Hidayatul Ikhwan ended their hunt by playing traditional games such as congkak and batu seremban.

PJ Old Town Cultural and Food Map coming in handy during the hunt. Copies are available at the Petaling Jaya MP’s service centre, two shops in the area and online.

Other highlights were guided tours of the neighbourhood showcasing key landmarks listed in the PJ Old Town Cultural and Food Map as well as an urban sketch session capturing the neighbourhood’s landscapes and street scenes.

There was also a bazaar, bone health screening, free traditional medicine consultation and mini exhibition on the history of Petaling Jaya, Selangor’s second city.

The event was jointly organised by Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung’s office and Feminine, a magazine under Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd.

Present at the event were Lee, Petaling Jaya city councillor for Zone 16 Tan Wei Kiat, Life Magazines chief executive officer Celine Yong, Feminine editor Lim Bi Qiu and Bone Health Alliance Malaysia representative Assoc Prof Dr Jeyakantha Ratnasingam from Universiti Malaya.

“We are putting in effort to create interest in this township, which has a lot of historic and heritage elements,” said Lee.

Visitors viewing artworks which will be on display at Jalan Othman Bus Terminal in Petaling Jaya Old Town until July 12. — Photos: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star

On efforts to revitalise Pasar Besar Jalan Othman, Lee said engagement sessions were ongoing to make full use of available space at the public market.

“The idea is to open up the second floor as space for arts and crafts or social enterprises, and at the same time help wet market traders on the ground floor.

“We have received many good ideas and I encouraged their submission to Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ),” he said.

Lim said artworks produced from the urban sketch session were being displayed under the theme “Old PJ: A City in Pause” at Jalan Othman Bus Terminal until July 12.

“The artworks produced by members of Urban Sketchers Kuala Lumpur and Urban Sketchers Klang are available for sale, with proceeds to be channelled to an elderly care home,” she added.

The PJ Old Town Cultural and Food Map, a pilot project by Lee, is available at his service centre at No.78-1, Jalan Othman 1/14, Section 1 (011-5995 9335) for visitors creating their own walking tours.

Copies are also available at Tingkap Cafe and 37 Degrees Cafe and can be downloaded via https://pjlestari.com/ cultural-map/