Information
City: MalaccaCountry: Malaysia
Continent: Asia
Malacca, Malaysia, Asia
Overview
Here’s a closer look at Malacca (Melaka), a centuries-old port city in Malaysia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where red-brick Dutch buildings still line the streets: 1.Malacca-called Melaka in Malay-is a historic state and city perched on the southwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, where old Dutch buildings still line narrow streets.Known as the "Historic State," it’s famous for its deep past and vibrant mix of cultures, and it’s where the Malacca Sultanate began-a 15th-century power that sent spice-laden ships across Southeast Asian waters.Traditionally founded in 1400, Malacca was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 along with George Town, Penang.About half a million people live in the city, where Malay is the official language but English, Mandarin, Tamil, and local dialects fill the streets.Sitting on the Strait of Malacca, it once thrived as a vital trading hub for the region.Malacca’s story is shaped by centuries of cultural influences-from the bustling Malacca Sultanate’s golden age of trade and Islamic learning, to Portuguese forts and churches, Dutch brick façades and Protestant steeples, and finally British rule as part of the Straits Settlements before independence.Today, its heritage stands in weathered stones and vivid colors: the lone Porta de Santiago gate from the old A Famosa fortress, the breezy hilltop of St. Paul’s, the deep red walls of the Stadthuys, and the 1753 Christ Church still holding services.Visitors wander through the Sultanate Palace Museum’s wooden halls, browse antiques on lively Jonker Street under strings of lanterns, drift past riverside murals on a Melaka River Cruise, or pause at the centuries-old Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and Kampung Kling Mosque.The Baba & Nyonya Museum preserves Peranakan traditions, while the Taming Sari Tower offers dizzying city views and the Melaka Straits Mosque seems to float at high tide.And everywhere, from fragrant satay stalls to spicy devil’s curry, Malacca serves a feast born of Malay, Chinese, Portuguese, and Indian flavors.Don’t miss chicken rice balls-warm, tender rice pressed into bite-sized rounds and paired with silky poached chicken.Cool off with cendol, a mound of shaved ice drenched in palm sugar syrup, rich coconut milk, and slippery green pandan jelly.For heat and tang, try asam pedas, a bold fish stew, or dunk skewers into bubbling satay celup.Dive into Peranakan classics like laksa nyonya, fragrant otak-otak, and hearty ayam pongteh.When evening falls, wander Jonker Walk’s night market for sizzling street food, or head to Umbai for fresh seafood and smoky ikan bakar.Malacca bursts with color during its many multicultural festivals-think the San Pedro Festival’s lively parades, grilled fish sizzling over coals, and Portuguese-Eurasian music drifting through the air; the Melaka River Festival’s boat races and fireworks; the grand Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown and at Cheng Hoon Teng Temple; and the joyous open houses and feasts of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.Nature lovers can wander the Malacca Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary, taste fresh durian and rambutan at the Melaka Tropical Fruit Farm, or stroll Bukit China’s shaded trails past centuries-old graves.Shoppers can browse sleek malls like Dataran Pahlawan and Mahkota Parade, pick up dodol or belacan at Tan Kim Hock Product Centre, or hunt for antiques in Jonker Gallery.Getting there’s easy-drive two hours from Kuala Lumpur, catch a bus from major cities, or hop a train to nearby Tampin; once in town, taxis, Grab, and bicycles keep you moving.From luxury stays like The Majestic Malacca to boutique hotels and budget hostels in Chinatown, there’s a bed for every traveler.Here’s a quick mix of history and heritage: Malacca got its name from a tree where Parameswara, founder of the Malacca Sultanate, once rested in the shade; its Portuguese-Eurasian community still keeps old recipes and customs alive; and, together with George Town, it’s honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its striking blend of architecture and culture.
Landmarks in malacca
