EXPLORING MALACCA
THE MAJESTIC MALACCA
188 Jalan Bunga Raya, 75100 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3 2783 1000
(YTL Travel Centre)
COMPRADOR RECOMMENDS
A’FAMOSA
Built by the Portuguese in 1511 as a fortress to protect the spice trade route, it sustained severe structural damage during the Dutch invasion. The Dutch had set out to destroy it but timely intervention by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1808 saved what remains of A Famosa today, the Porta de Santiago gate.
23 minutes (1.6km)
7 minutes (2.1km)
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STADTHUYS
Built in 1650 as the official residence of Dutch Governors and their officers, the edifice is a fine example of Dutch architecture. Preserved in its original structure and form, it now houses the Historical and Ethnographic Museums. On display daily are fine traditional bridal costumes and relics from Malacca’s glorious past.
Stroll through the red square, surrounded by red painted buildings, the most prominent being Christ Church. Commissioned by the Dutch for their centenary celebration, Christ Church was completed in 1753 as a Dutch Reform church. It was re-consecrated to an Anglican church in 1838, where it remains till today a functioning church with Mass conducted in several languages. Several modifications and additions were made throughout the British occupation but most of the church remains in its 18th century setting. Take note of the 200-year-old handmade pews, ceiling beams constructed from a single tree without joints, brass Bible rest, old tombstones laid on the floor and the frieze of the Last Supper in glazed tiles.
15 minutes (1.1km)
5 minutes (1.5km)
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ST PETER’S CHURCH
This was the primary location for congregations of Portuguese Catholics who had it constructed in 1710, during the period of Dutch rule. Now it qualifies as the oldest Catholic Church in Malaysia and still serves resident worshippers of the Catholic faith. They include descendants of the 600 men that Alfonso d’Albuquerque brought ashore after his conquest of Malacca. The existing bell in the belfry states the date and place of manufacture as 1608 – Goa, and was salvaged from an older church the Dutch had burned down. There is also an alabaster statue of the Lord Before The Resurrection.
3 minutes (210m)
5 minutes (1.2km)
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MALACCA SULTANATE PALACE MUSEUM
The museum is a replica of the old Malacca Sultanate Palace before it was razed to the ground during the Portuguese attack in 1511. Situated at the foot of St Paul’s Hill, it was built to the specifications as detailed in the Malay Annals. The museum is an excellent testimony of Malay traditional architecture with its usage of local timber from the highly prized iron wood. It also highlights the culture, hierarchy and administrative system of Malacca during the Malay Sultanate era.
24 minutes (1.7km)
8 minutes (2.9km)
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TRANQUERAH MOSQUE
Prominent in its Sumatran architectural grandeur, this unique mosque is one of the oldest in the country and bears testimony to the fact that Islam existed in Malacca almost 600 years ago. A three-tier roof rising like a pyramid replaces a conventional dome and a minaret strays from a typical Moorish-style to the shape of a pagoda, demonstrating the East-West architectural influences. Sultan Hussain of Johor, the ruler who signed the cession of Singapore with Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819, is entombed in the mosque compound.
40 minutes (2.8km)
9 minutes (3.5km)
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BABA AND NYONYA HOUSE MUSEUM
The three terrace lots were acquired as a house in 1861 and were once the ancestral home to four Baba-Nyonya generations of the Chan family. The interior of the house, now turned museum, is built around a central open-air courtyard typical of a Peranakan house. The museum showcases the eclectic preferences of the late Mr Chan Cheng Siew (1869-1919), intricate carved fittings finished in gold leaf and beautiful antique furniture made of Chinese rosewood in a mixture of Chinese, Victorian and Dutch designs.
18 minutes (1.3km)
5 minutes (1.5km)
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CHENG HOON TENG TEMPLE
Built in 1645 by Kapitan Lee Wei King, this is Malaysia’s oldest Chinese temple serving as main place of worship for the Hokkien community. Fine workmanship is evident in the ornately decorated mythological figures, carvings and lacquer work inside the temple. In 2003, Cheng Hoon Teng was awarded a UNESCO award for outstanding architectural restoration. Across the road is a traditional Chinese Opera Theatre that forms a part of the Cheng Hoon Teng temple complex. If you are visiting Malacca in early August, try to catch the Fujian Chinese Opera that is held here.
15 minutes (1.9km)
7 minutes (1.9km)
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JONKER STREET
A visit to Malacca is incomplete without exploring Jonker Street, renowned for its eclectic antique and curio shops—some showcasing pieces that date back over 300 years. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening, the street transforms into the lively Jonker Walk, as peddlers set up charming stalls from 5 pm, offering an intriguing array of souvenirs, handicrafts, and antiques, each with its own story and mystery.
15 minutes (1.1km)
5 minutes (1.5km)
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HANG LI PO WELL
Hang Li Po (Hàn Lìbao or Wang Lìbao) was a Chinese princess sent by the Ming Dynasty in the 15th century to marry Malaccan Sultan Mansur Shah. She arrived in Malacca with a grand entourage of 500 followers, symbolizing the early friendship and diplomatic ties between Malacca and China.
The well at Bukit Cina, known as Hang Li Po Well, marks the area gifted to her and her entourage. Today, it stands as a charming reminder of her presence and her role in fostering cultural connections, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich, shared history of the Chinese and Malay communities in Malacca.
14 minutes (1.0km)
3 minutes (1.0km)
