Malacca, also known as Melaka in Peninsular Malaysia, is one of the most interesting parts of the country. Malacca has a diverse history, having been colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, and as a result, influences from all of these former colonial powers can be found in the food, architecture, and even the language.
The city also has a large Chinese community known as Peranakan or Straits Chinese, which has given rise to the Nonya culture, which is a blend of Malay and Chinese influences and has even spawned a completely unique cuisine in the form of delicious Nonya dishes. Aside from food, Malacca has a plethora of cultural attractions, and given its size, it has a plethora of engaging museums that will be a treat for any history buffs interested in learning more about the area.
Overall, Malacca provides a serene yet fascinating glimpse into Malaysia’s history and is a top destination for anyone looking to explore a different side of the country away from big cities like Kuala Lumpur.
Let’s take a look at the best things to do in Malacca:
- Visit Cheng Hoon Teng Chinese Temple
Cheng Hoon Teng Chinese Temple, which dates from the 17th century, claims to be Malaysia’s oldest Chinese temple of its kind.
The temple is a significant place of worship for Malacca’s Buddhist Chinese community, and a visit here is an excellent way to learn more about their culture and history.
Check out the inscription from 1685, which is dedicated to Kapitan Li Wei King, as well as the statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Compassion. - Enjoy the views at the Taming Sari Revolving Tower
When visiting Malacca, it is difficult not to notice the Taming Sari Revolving Tower, which rises to a height of 110 metres and can seat 66 passengers at once.
The ride in the tower lasts approximately 7 minutes, as you ascend and then spend 5 minutes at the top taking in the views of the city before descending again.
From the tower, you can see panoramic views of the city that extend all the way to the coast. - Admire the Sultanate Palace
The Sultanate Palace is a replica of the original wooden palace that belonged to Sultan Mansur Shah, who ruled Malacca from 1456 to 1477. The house has now been transformed into a cultural museum surrounded by lovely gardens, and what makes the structure even more impressive is that it was constructed without the use of any nails.
Instead, the structure stands as a result of some clever engineering and a series of wooden grooves and slots, and the reconstruction was completed after meticulously recording how the original palace would have appeared according to the Malay Annals. - Walk around Stadthuys
The crimson façade of Stadthuys, one of Malacca’s most famous landmarks, will immediately identify it.
The structure dates from 1650, making it the oldest of its kind built during the Dutch colonial period, and is modelled after the Stadhuis or town hall in Hoorn, Netherlands.
This used to be the local town hall and governor’s residence, but it now houses the History & Ethnography Museum. - Go shopping at Jonker Walk Night Market
The Jonker Walk Night Market, located on Jalan Hang Jebat, is open from Friday to Sunday after the sun goes down.
This is one of the best places to shop in Malacca, with a wide variety of goods for sale, including souvenirs, antiques, and local handicrafts.
Other items such as electronics and clothing are available, but one of the best parts of the market is the food.
Pancakes and waffles, rice balls filled with chicken, and cendol, a type of dessert made with jelly and coconut milk, are just a few of the street food snacks available here. - Hike up Bukit China
Bukit China, which translates to “China Hill” in Malay, is named after the largest Chinese cemetery outside of Mainland China.
Some of the graves in the cemetery date from the Ming Dynasty in the 17th century, and the earliest inscription on a gravestone dates from 1622. Many Malaccans visit the hill because of the beautiful trails that lead to the summit, and from the top, you can see panoramic views of the city. - Visit St. Paul’s Church
Saint Paul’s Church, which was built by Portuguese colonialists in 1521, is one of Malacca’s most famous churches.
It was used as a fortress in 1567 before becoming a church following the Dutch siege of Malacca.
It used to be known as Our Lady of the Annunciation, and it also has a Dutch cemetery attached where you can see some of the tombstones of those who used to travel from the Netherlands to Malacca.
To get to the church, you must walk up a small hill, which is well worth the effort for the beautiful views of the city. - Take a Malacca River Cruise
The Malacca River is one of the city’s highlights, and the best way to experience it is on a scenic river cruise.
Back in the day, the river would have been one of the most important trade routes in the area, and today you can cruise past important landmarks like Kampung Morten and take in all of the city’s sights.
There are also nighttime river cruises that allow you to see the city lights, and the journey usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour. - Admire Christ Church
Christ Church, one of Malacca’s most famous structures, was constructed between 1741 and 1753. It stands on the site of a Portuguese church built during the colonial period, and the red bricks used in its construction had to be shipped over from the Dutch province of Zeeland.
The Dutch tombstones that line the floors, as well as the altar covered in ornamental silver and a Dutch coat of arms, are some of the church’s distinguishing features.
The church also has the distinction of being Malaysia’s oldest Protestant church. - Admire A Famosa Fort
A Famosa Fort is one of Malacca’s main attractions and is said to be one of the oldest examples of Portuguese architecture in Southeast Asia.
The fort is now crumbling gracefully, but the main gate, known as Porto de Santiago, remains.
A Famosa Fort was built in the 16th century to protect Malacca from an attack, and the parts that remain are mostly Dutch reconstructions with a coat of arms and some inscriptions in Dutch.
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