Places to Visit in Malacca
Landmarks and Places to Visit in Malacca
Firmly rooted as
Malaysia's historical city, visiting Malacca is like a journey back in
time to witness the adventures and discoveries during Malacca's golden
age.
Today, there are many historical sites
to visit that give you a glimpse of Malacca's glorious past. This is
balanced with other modern attractions such as water theme parks and
cultural parks.
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LOT C 24, DATARAN PAHLAWAN MELAKA MEGAMALL
75000 BANDAR HILIR, MELAKA.
EMAIL : cardova_creative@yahoo.com
TEL : 06- 2845553 HP : 013-2665553
www.cardovacreative.com
LOT C 24, DATARAN PAHLAWAN MELAKA MEGAMALL
75000 BANDAR HILIR, MELAKA.
EMAIL : cardova_creative@yahoo.com
TEL : 06- 2845553 HP : 013-2665553
www.cardovacreative.com
A Famosa Water World
The
A Famosa Water World is the largest water theme park in Malaysia
located near Alor Gajah. Among the excitements found on the park are
speed slides, raft rides, tube slides and a large wave pool.
Every
weekend, it draws crowds from the Southern side of Malaysia who come to
enjoy a splashing good time while exploring Malacca's historical
sights.
Address: Jalan Kemus, Simpang Empat, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: (603) 2781 8888
Bukit Cina
Bukit
China is situated southeast of Bandar Malacca on a 42-acre hill and is
actually carpeted with more than 12,500 graves. What makes this place
special is that it is the oldest and largest traditional Chinese
cemetery outside China.
Some
graves can be traced back to more than four centuries ago to the first
Chinese immigrants in Malacca. Ironically, this was also the place where
the princess, or concubine, Hang Li Poh (a fact still disputed today)
settled in, having been sent to Malacca as a mark of friendship with the
Malaccan Sultan in 1511. There are also 20 Muslim tombs in the area.
Address: Jalan Puteri Hang Li Poh, Bukit Cina, Melaka Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
The
Cheng Hoon Teng is a historical monument that is recognised as one of
the finest Chinese temples in Malaysia – even receiving a UNESCO award
for outstanding architectural restoration.
The
temple itself is crafted with ornate mythological figures, carvings and
paintings and was built in the early 1600s' by ‘Kapitans' or chiefs of
the Chinese trading community in Malacca.
Address: No. 25, Jalan To’kong, 75200 MalaccaTel: (606) 282 9343
Christ Church
The
Christ Church was built in 1753 by the Dutch to commemorate a century
of their rule. It still stands today in Malacca city, a landmark of fine
Dutch architecture.
The
beams were constructed from cutting and carving a single tree and have
no joints! The hand-made pews, on the other hand, date back some 200
years. Mounted on its walls are some decorative fanlights and plaques in
memory of those who died of various epidemics.
Yet
another plaque, a wooden one, sits at the rear of the western wall
remembering local planters who did not live through World War II. The
church is indeed a sight for those who love fine structural design.
Address: Jalan Kota Melaka, Melaka Cultural Museum
The
Cultural Museum was built in 1954 by the British in a Dutch house that
was in turn built around 1660. The museum later moved to the Stadhuys in
1982 before it was finally moved into a RM2.5 million complex in 1986
built by Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister.
The
museum has a collection of 1,350 items; artefacts, prints, photographs
and drawings which represent the history and culture of the Malaccan
Sultanate and migrant communities in the early centuries.
There
are also prints, photographs, decorative arts, costumes, jewelleries,
brassware and ancient weapons on display. The museum itself is housed
within a replica of a Malay palace, built based on sketches found in the
Malay Annals.
Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm (Closed on Monday)Address: Bukit Saint Paul, Melaka
Tel: (606) 282 6745
St John's Fort
The Fort was originally built as a chapel by the Portuguese but it was eventually renovated into a fort by the Dutch.
Sitting
on top a hill, the fort is unique in the sense that it was built to
defend from inland invaders, rather than the sea. Hence, the canons are
faced rather awkwardly towards inland as visitors shall see.
Address: Jalan Ujong Pasir, 75050 Malacca Town Hang Tuah Mausoleum
Hang
Li Poh was a princess who was sent from the emperor of China to marry
the reigning Malaccan Sultan Mansur Shah as a sign of good diplomatic
relations, in mid-15th century.
Her
entourage built the well in 1459 which became the main source of water
for much of the town. It is believed that the well has never dried up,
even in the most extreme of drought.
The
well was also said to have been filled with poison before by the
Javanese during the Dutch occupation and another time by the Japanese
during World War Two.
Today,
it is a famous wishing well and those who throw coins into it are said
to come to Malacca time and time again in the future.
Address: Jalan Puteri Hang Li Poh, MelakaTel: (606) 283 6538
Maritime Museum
True
to its nature, the museum is built in a replica of a Portuguese ship,
the 'Flo De La Mar' that sank off the coast of Malacca while on the way
to Portugal.
Here,
visitors can view dioramas and intricately crafted models of ships on
board. There are detailed descriptions of Malacca history and a map that
features actual charts used by Portuguese sailors centuries ago.
Located near the tourist office, the Maritime Muzeum is a great place t visit to learn Malacca history.
Location: 9am - 5:30pm (Monday to Friday) 9am - 9:00pm (Saturday and Sunday)Address: Jalan Quayside, 75000, Melaka
Tel: (606) 283 0926
Portuguese Square
The Portuguese Square is the centre of the small Portuguese community in Malacca, the descendants of the past Malaccan colonists.
The Square feels like a little patch of Portugal with plenty of restaurants, food stalls, pubs and a mini-museum.
On
weekends, the square becomes a hub of activity, as the Portuguese
community put up traditional dances, entertain tourists and celebrate in
style their unique culture.
Address: Ujong Pasir, MelakaTel: (606) 231 4343
Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum
The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum at Tan Cheng Lock Street is the ancestral home of three generations of a Baba Nyonya family.
The building is now a beautifully-designed museum that showcases the unique culture and legacy of Straits-born Chinese.
View costumes, jewellery and other heirlooms pertaining to Baba Nyonya culture here.
Opening Hours: Daily 10am-12:30pm, 2pm-4:30pmAddress: Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 48-50 , 75200 Melaka
Tel: (606) 283 1273
St Peter's Church
Built
in 1710, the church is currently the oldest functioning Catholic Church
in the country. There is also a bell tower which dates all the way back
to 1608 and was made in Goa, India. The church itself was built through
the donations of a Dutchman who presented it to the Portuguese
builders. Every year, the church becomes alive with activity during
Catholic celebrations.
Address: Jalan Bendahara, Kampung Bukit Cina, 75100 MelakaTel: (606) 282 2950
Stadhuys
The
Stadhuys is one of Malacca's most recognisable landmarks – Built in
1650, it was the Dutch administrative centre with a clock tower and
painted in bright red.
A Historic and Ethnography Museum with displays of traditional bridal costumes and other relics is located inside.
The building itself has some great architectural details including heavy wooden doors, thick red walls and wrought-iron hinges.
Address: Jalan Gereja, 75000 MelakaTel: (606) 284 1934
Taman Mini ASEAN
Located
in Ayer Keroh, the Taman Mini ASEAN is a theme park dedicated to
showcasing the culture of Southeast Asian countries including Malaysia.
Visitors
can view replicas of traditional Malaysian houses and other Southeast
countries as well as handicrafts, costumes and models of world-famous
monuments and scenery.
Opening Hours: 9am - 5pmAddress: Leboh Ayer Keroh, 75450, Melaka
Tel: (606) 232 1331