Asia Beauty Spot – Asia Scenery

The city of Melaka is divided into the new and old sections. The older part of the city is fairly compact and has many historical and cultural attractions tucked into the nooks and crannies of its narrow streets.

Much of the remnants of Melaka’s glorious past lie within the Town Square and waterfront area near the river.

Just above the Town Square is St. Paul’s Hill (Bukit St. Paul) which is the site of the original Portuguese fort of A’Famosa and St. Paul’s Church.

There is a sign-posted heritage trail which visitors can follow to visit all the historical places in the old part of town. The new section of Melaka lies across the Melaka River and is mostly built on land reclaimed from the sea. It consists of modern shopping centres like the Mahkota Parade and is a bustling food and entertainment district.

Outside Melaka town, there are some nice beaches, two excellent offshore islands with resorts and a golf course. The Air Keroh district is close to the North-South Expressway and has many recreational theme parks.

Melaka was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List on 7 July 2008. As part of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) promotional efforts, the UNESCO World Heritage 1-2-3 package has been launched to promote UNESCO World Heritage sites of George Town (Penang), Melaka and Borobudur (Indonesia).

1. Cheng Ho’s Cultural Museum

This museum was set up in honour of a Chinese Ming Dynasty admiral called Cheng Ho or Zheng He.

This famed explorer made seven voyages of exploration, leaving his mark in the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia between 1405 and 1433. Five of these voyages brought him through Melaka, a port he is said to have founded.

These voyages made a significant impact on Melaka’s regionally important role in history. As a confidante to the third Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Cheng Ho had a weighty influence on Chinese International Relations of the day.

In the mid-15th Century, he was entrusted to bring the Emperor’s daughter, Princess Hang Li Po to marry the Sultan of Melaka. The Princess’ entourage consisted of several hundred sons of ministers and handmaidens, a group of people who eventually intermarried with locals in Melaka, creating the Baba Nyonya culture.

Lately, some interest has been generated about a belief that Cheng Ho kept a warehouse in Melaka. One of the dilapidated buildings in the old part of Melaka town, showing remnants of Ming style architecture, is thought to be the old warehouse in question and is now the site of the Cheng Ho Museum.

The exhibition space displays the life and times of the historic Admiral. Rooms like Tea House and Treasure Ship Living Cabin will take you back in time, and offer you a glimpse of Cheng Ho’s lifestyle.

Studies of the adventures of this Muslim eunuch are fascinating and the social impact of his voyages can still be felt to this day.

2. Menara Taming Sari

Witness a host of interesting and historical sights of Melaka from a height of 80 metres of Menara Taming Sari. Rest assured with the beauty of the vast scenic Melaka straits and the fast development of Melaka, your visit will be an unforgettable and memorable one.

Menara Taming Sari which located at Jalan Merdeka, Banda Hilir, Melaka was opened on 18 April 2008. The 110 metre viewing tower was designed based on the legendary Taming Sari Keris.

It will be the 1st tower in the country to have a fully revolving structure. The air-conditioned viewing cabin will be able to accommodate 66 people at one time.

3. Homestay Seri Tanjung

Come experience the village, or kampung, way of life first-hand. And there’s no better place to do this than staying in a village that has twice been the winner of the National Beautiful Village competition. Warm, hospitable, tight-knit communities offer the best home-cooked meals and are eager to share their customs and traditions with visitors. Beautiful scenery is part of village life – slanted coconut trees that pierce the bright blue sky and line red dirt roads add to the enlightening and fun-filled experience.

You will be invited to participate in animal husbandry and farming, if you want a hands-on experience. It is common for children to play traditional games in the cool, late afternoon. They will eagerly teach you these games, but be prepared to lose gracefully to these expert players. This is village life at its best!

The villagers will organise traditional performances such as Silat, the Malay martial arts, or traditional top spinning. This is the perfect way to learn about Malaysian culture and get to know Malaysians.

4. Jonker Walk

A definite haven for antique collectors and bargain hunters. Authentic artifacts and relics, some dating as far back as 300 years, can be found among a host of interesting collectibles, each with its own history and mystery.

Jalan Hang Jebat, formerly known as Jonker Street, is known worldwide among serious antique collectors as one of the best places to hunt and bargain for antiques.

Recently, a new wave of cafes and craft shops have sprouted on this street, lending it a cultured air of old-meets-new.

5. Kampung Hulu’s Mosque

The mosque, built in 1728 during the Dutch Occupancy, is the oldest mosque in the country. Its unique architectural style is a unique blend of Sumatran, Hindu and Western architecture.

All of the building’s original wooden structures except the four main pillars and the roof structure were replaced with concrete. Within the mosque compound, you can find the grave of Sayyid Abdullah Al-Haddad, a famous religious teacher, whom many regarded as a “Wali” (Saint).

A good way to see the Kampung Hulu Mosque is to include it as part of your walking tour of nearby Jonker Street. The Mosque is set just one street back from the famous street.

6. Melaka River Cruise

The river was the main artery of trade for Melaka in its heyday when it was bustling with traders from all around the world.

Some buildings from that era still stand majestically by the river, which is also lined by old villages, or kampungs, and modern day buildings.

The 45-minute cruise is accompanied by an entertaining and informative commentary. And, for just RM8, it’s a good bargain. See parts of historical Melaka, get a history lesson for next to nothing, and never break a sweat!

Getting the full list of Melaka Attractions (Part 2)

Courtesy of Malaysia Tourism Board