It is still small enough to get around by trishaw which, unlike those in Malacca and Singapore, are mainly used by locals rather than tourists. Life in the city revolves around the central market area, and this is a good place to start. Downstairs you can buy vegetables, meat and, of course, dried fish and other local seafood snacks. Upstairs is packed with stalls selling batik and other fabrics, as well as finished clothes. Without any large shopping malls, people tend to congregate in the market, so it is always alive with people.
Next door is the small quayside.
You can catch ferry boats from here to the museum, as well as to Pulau Duyung Besar, which is a five-minute ride across the river. On this island fishing boats are still made in the traditional way without any drawings or plans. In the early morning, this quayside is busy as sellers bring their produce by boat and spread it out on the path to make a mini pasar. Just around the corner from the central market is Jalan Bandar. This is the heart of the old Chinatown.