Melaka

Things to see and do

Christ Church

This salmon-red church is one of Melaka's iconic heritage buildings found at Dutch Square. The architecture is classic colonial Dutch and the bricks were imported all the way from the Netherlands -- no easy task in the 1740s. Originally a Dutch Reformed Church, when the British took over ... read more
Portuguese Village (Medan Portugis)

Along the coast a few kilometres outside Melaka is the home of the remaining Portuguese community. They have maintained their Catholic faith and some still speak a Portuguese dialect called kristang. You won't find much happening in the middle of the day, but at night the open-air restaurants ... read more
The Stadthuys

Meaning City Hall, this huge salmon-red red building was the residence of Melaka's colonial Dutch governors and has the bread oven to prove it. The interior has been converted into a sprawling, if rather dull, History and Ethnography Museum with antique porcelain, keris swords and creepy ... read more
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

Built in 1645, this ornate Chinese temple is considered to be the oldest in Malaysia. The materials used to build it were imported from China, and its lacquer work and carvings of mythological creatures make it one of Chinatown's most impressive buildings. The impeccable restoration work even ... read more
Jonker Walk

Now officially known as Jalan Hang Jebat, this is the heart of Melaka's Chinatown and prime grounds for souvenir shopping and sampling local specialties like pineapple tarts and chicken rice balls. Most of the Chinese shophouses have been converted into antique stores or cafes, but a precious few ... read more
Baba & Nyonya Heritage House

The Baba Nyona, the unique culture that formed when wealthy Chinese merchants married local Malay women, certainly appreciated the finer things in life. This ancestral house showcases many of them, from carved hardwood furniture to beaded slippers. Don't miss the bridal chamber and the black and ... read more
A'Famosa (Porta de Santiago)

Perhaps this fortress built by the Portugese in 1511 was once "famous" (Famosa), but it now lies largely in ruins. All that survives is the gate house and a few antique cannons have been placed in front for touristy photo-ops. Before it was destroyed, the fortress passed from the Portuguese ... read more
St. Paul's Church

Another remnant of Portuguese rule is this Catholic church atop a hill in the centre of town. The church itself, built in 1521 was visited on a number of occasions by the Jesuit missionary St Francis Xavier and following his death in 1552 his body was buried here for a period before being shifted ... read more
Kampong Morten

Located along the west bank of the Melaka River, Kampong Morten is a collection of traditional Malay wooden houses. Many were built in the 1920s, but have been beautifully restored if a bit tackily decorated (picture roofs tiled to resemble the Malaysia flag). You can get a glimpse from the Melaka ... read more
Maritime Museum Complex

Also known at the Samudera Museum, its star is the Flor de la Mar, a 34-metre tall replica of a Portuguese vessel that sank on its way back to Europe. Inside there's a collection of antique maps, model ships and old sea-faring devices, but admission is worth it just to climb aboard the ship. ... read more
Melaka Sultanate Palace

This ornate wooden building at the base of St Paul's Hill is a replica of the palace where the Sultan of Melaka lived in the 15th century before the Portuguese arrived. The palace was built based on written descriptions in the Malay Annals texts using only materials and techniques available at the ... read more
Cheng Ho Cultural Museum

Named for the Chinese mariner who travelled to 33 countries from 1405 till 1433, including Malaysia, this is the largest and priciest of Melaka's museums. Its 13 galleries give exhaustive coverage of the history of the Chinese in Melaka as well as Chinese art, tea culture, religion and sea-faring. ... read more
Church of St Francis Xavier

The white spires of this Gothic-style church tower above Melaka's historic area. The impressive building was completed in 1856, having taken nearly seven years to complete, and still functions as a Catholic church. It is named in honour of St Francis Xavier, the 16th century missionary who ... read more
Kampong Kling Mosque

A mosque has stood in this spot since 1748, making it among the oldest in all of Malaysia. It's not just notable for its age, but also its unique architecture that blends Sumatran, Indian, Malay and even Chinese elements. The minaret looks a lot like a pagoda and if you look closely at the ... read more