Malacca is one of the historical site state in Malaysia that is rich with colonial structures, ancient landmarks and heritage buildings left after the colonial forces made their contact with Malaysia.
Malacca has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2008.
This eventually shaped an unique culture among the locals, with perfectly blended ethnic customs and traditions.
The peaceful life of the people of Malacca races due to the life that gave birth to the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Baba and Nyonya, Portuguese, Chitty and Eurasia. Each ethnic group gives a different taste of the famous people of Malacca as a friendly people. Every of these races uphold their traditions and reflected them in their food, religious customs, festivals, design and also jewelries.
A Culture Trip explained how to spend 24 hours in Malacca for a whirlwind tour which combined the history and traditional culture. Emphasizing on life experiencing with Malacca culture, it also helped every visitors to list every single top things to be done while visiting Malacca, including visiting to the Portuguese village and time travelling river cruise.
Below are the recommended Malacca attractions that would help the visitors in learning melaka culture:
- Christ Church Melaka
- Malacca Batik House
- Jonker Street
- Malacca Gallery
- Melaka River
- Baba Nyonya Museum
- Maritime Museum
- Taman Mini Malaysia
- Sultanate Palace
- Hang Tuah’s Well
- Cheng Ho’s Museum
- Church of St. Francis Xavier
- Malacca Raya
- Menara Taming Sari
- Melaka Wonderland Theme Park
Places To Visit In Melaka – Melaka Culture Trip
1. Christ Church Melaka
When Malacca was handed over to the British, the building was used as their administrative office. Although the British have undergone some structural changes within the Stadhuys, they have maintained the overall design. The building was used by the Malacca government after Malaysia gained independence.
Now, the building has been converted into a museum featuring unique Dutch buildings, such as shutters, thick doors, huge walls and wrought iron hinges, due to the length of time. It also shows the history of Malaccaundefineds colonial rule from Malacca to Sudan, Portugal, Britain and the Netherlands. Free guided tours are provided every Saturday and Sunday, so take a tour to learn more about Malaccaundefineds history.
Location: Jalan Gereja,75000 Malacca, Malaysia
Contact: +606-282 6526
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Friday to Sunday: 9:00am – 8:30pm
Entrance Fee:
Foreign visitor: RM10
Local visitor: RM5
Children: RM3
Also Read : Johor Bahru Historical Places
2. Malacca Batik House
An integral part of traditional art and Malaysian culture, batik is any type of fabric printed with color patterns through wax and dye applications. Many people like creative media, if you are keen to learn and buy some work, then we know the perfect place to: Melacca Batik House. Itundefineds located in Ayer Keroh, near (MITC), Melacca International Trade Center. If youundefinedre driving, follow the sign to MITC. Lots of parking, surrounded by other local attractions-the Malacca International Bowling Center and the Melacca Planetarium are within walking distance.
Malacca Batik House, owned by batik pioneer Noor Arfa private Ltd., is another attempt to bring batik art to the public, continuing the successful Noor Arfa Craft Complex. at Dengjia Malaysian batik is different from Indonesian batik. It mainly uses large flower patterns and bright colors, usually for official occasions such as weddings and government events.
The store is a cultural-double-deck building shaped like a traditional Malay house a wooden herringbone roof and a brick staircase leading to the entrance. Indoors, guests can find a variety of batik products, such as menundefineds batik shirts and womenundefineds batik. We also like how Malacca Batik House stores unsewn colored batik fabrics-ideal for those who want to create their own batik style clothes in their own style. If you donundefinedt know what to do, the store accepts orders and is ready to work with your new batik fabric.
In addition to batiks, the store also sells songket sampin. made in Dinganu The Songket sampin is usually worn by men along with the traditional Malay costume baju melayu, with the waist folded like a skirt. These songs are carefully crafted with silk or cotton by hand-woven wire, creating complex patterns on the fabric.
If you are interested in in learning the art of batik weaving, Malacca Batik House offers multiple batik-making class packages. These courses are very popular, so if you plan to join, you are strongly advised to book before you arrive. With the help of their teachers and staff, visitors will learn the process of creating patterns and painting colors and will bring back their work as souvenirs.
Additional Information:
Address: Pt 15251, Melaka International Trade Centre, 75450, Ayer Keroh, Melaka
Phone: 06-232 3900
Also Read : Top 29 Malacca Attraction
3. Jonker Street
Jonker Street which is also known as Jalan Hang Jebat is a popular Malacca’s tourist area for its food, historical buildings, heritage houses and Baba & Nyonya’s cultures.There are not many sightseeing opportunities along Jonker Street unless you count the noisy Chinese New Year song-and-dance show that takes place this time of year.
One of the tourist attractions in Jonker Street is Jonker Walk Night Market. It is only open on Friday, and weekends. Traffic will be closed around 5 pm, all vendors will set tables and stalls will begin to occupy the streets.
Also Read : 15 Great Places To Buy Souvenirs In Jonker Street
The Jonker Street Night Market is known as malacca gourmet paradise. It sells all kinds of delicacies at the lowest price, including beautiful souvenirs and delicious local cuisine. They sell watermelon handbags, chicken quail eggs, liquid nitrogen snacks, native Chinese poppies, coconut ice cream, etc. There are also cool boutiques and handicraft stalls. Read More For Jonker Street Night Market Food
Another tourist attraction on Jonker Street is Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum. The Baba Niangyakarta Heritage Museum showcases Baba Nyonyaundefineds incredible history, Baba Nyonya is a Chinese who assimilates the Malay culture of the Strait. Race is often referred to as native Chinese.
The museum is privately run by descendants of the Chen family, once the richest family in the town. They restored and restored all furniture, making it a typical 19 th century Baba Nyonya house.
The three-story museum is beautifully designed. Hand-painted tiles, carved teak doors and Venetian shutters, and even a range of wooden furniture and gold foil device.
Next, Kampung Kling Mosque is one of the tourist attractions in Jonker Street. It was built at year 1748. Kampung Kling Mosque is a cross-cultural mosque that combines Hindu, Chinese, Sumatra and local Malays. The mosque was declared a historic monument in 1999.
Also Read : Malacca Jonker Street’s Best Cafes
Although the mosque has undergone two renovations, it still retains its original architectural design. The only difference is that they replace all wood structures with sustainable concrete materials. Unlike a typical spherical dome mosque, the top of the, Kampung Kling mosque has a three-story pyramid roof. Inside, mosques have unique Portuguese and British glazed tiles mixed and beautiful wooden pulpit sculptures with Chinese and Indian styles.
In short, mosques reflect the extent to which Malaysia embraces multiculturalism and ultimately assimilates them into its traditions and history.
Also Read : 12 Best Food Stops in Melaka’s Jonker Street
4. Malacca Gallery
Malacca Gallery which located outside the core tourist area, at Bukit Peringgit which is a low hill dotted with well-preserved colonial-era bungalows amid manicured gardens.
Most of these spacious bungalows are today occupied by senior Malacca Government officials and a few have been converted into museums such as this one. The gallery is adjacent to the Malacca Chief Ministers’ Gallery and one ticket pays for admission to both galleries.
A helpful guide from the Malacca Museums Corporation (PERZIM) will kindly show visitors around both galleries and provide information to visitors. The bulk of the ground floor is given over to photo galleries showing Malacca scenes from colonial times, the Independence handover celebrations and major events after Independence.
Additional Information:
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 – 17:00
Address: 6, Bukit Peringgit, Malacca
Tel: +606 286 9939
Also Read : What Things To Do In Malacca
5. Melaka River
The Malacca River was once called “Oriental Venice” by European seamen because it was an important port of entry for European and Asian traders in the late 16th century. The total distance of the melaka river is 10 kilometers. It is believed to be the site of Malacca founded by Prince Parameswara of Sumatra, who built his palace on the east side of the river bank (at the foot of Mount S ã o Paulo) in the fifteenth century.
It is one of the tourist attraction in Malacca because of its 45-minute River Cruise tanjung kling , which offers tranquil views of colonial buildings, antiquated shophouses, local settlements and ancient bridges as And the modern decoration and local art exhibition of Malacca.
The Malacca River winds its way from Dutch Square to Tan Boon Seng Bridge. During the Portuguese invasion of Malacca, they seized the bridge, cut off communication between the two sides of the river, and effectively divided Malacca into two lines, causing Malacca to fail.
Some other bridges along the Malacca River are worth mentioning. In addition to the Tan Boon Seng Bridge, there is the Malacca Ghost Bridge (a pedestrian bridge connecting Kampung Pantai and Kampung Jawa) and the Old Market Bridge . It used to be a picturesque fishing boat moored along the river bank, but now it is mostly a Chinese restaurant.
Another bridge with a long history is Chan Boon Cheng Bridge. It was once a concrete structure until a major transformation in 1963 led to its present steel appearance. At the beginning of the 20th century, it connected the old city Chinatown on the west side of the river bank (then called Kampung Pantai) to the New Town Chinatown on the east side (via Jalan Bunga Raya). The bridge is also famous for its terrible past.
During the Japanese occupation, Japan soldiers placed the victimundefineds head at the foot of the bridge as a less mild reminder that locals would step on the line
After passing several more bridges, the Malacca River leads up to Kampung Morten. It is an old Malay settlement classified as a national heritage site. It is a typical Malay village, but is widely regarded as a museum of life, well-preserved traditional Malay architecture and a conservative old way of life.
You can also find large and bold street art in (Malacca River), the Malacca River, mostly in Jalan Kampung Hulu., just outside Jonker Street. Also known as the Malacca River Street Art Project, it is a collaboration between local painters and graffiti artists, using the cityundefineds shops and hotels as canvases to create compelling designs.
Additional Information:
Location: Malacca Town
Also Read : Top 10 Melaka Beach Resort to Visit in 2023
6. Baba Nyonya Museum
The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum is a private museum in the Malacca Chinatown area. In Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock.. Like most of these narrow buildings, the, Baba Nyonya Store Undefined house is penetrated by two yards that provide light and air circulation. In traditional Chinese stores, business is done in the first half of the lower layer, while the latter part and all the upper levels are living space.
Also Read : Malacca Top 10 Best Nyonya Food
The museum is owned by the Chan family. In the past, they were the richest men in Malacca. The tour guides in the museum are guided tours, so you can get a lot of information about every detail of Chinese life in the old straits. Baba’s and Nyonya’s are Chinese descendants of Malay culture.
They are also known as straits-born Chinese or native Chinese and practice Chinese and Malay customs. They are known for their unique furniture, dress style and cuisine, a combination of Chinese and Malay cuisine. Channel Chinese or native Chinese are descendants of Chinese traders who settled in independent Malaysia along the Straits colonies (Penang, Malacca and Singapore). Many of them began to adopt and assimilate most of the Malay culture, known as Baba (male) and Nyonya (female).
Look at their incredibly rich and colorful culture in the museum, which is privately run by the descendants of families who lived in buildings built during the occupation of the Netherlands. Each room, a piece of furniture (neoclassical Europe) and other furniture (Victorian chandeliers and floor tiles) as the original owner left behind.
The core of its charm is clothing and gadget files, used to serve the way of life of native-born Chinese. Itundefineds kind of like walking into a time warp, walking through the intimate memories of a family, and leaving a very realistic perspective of past life. It is no exaggeration to view this small and comprehensive museum as the gateway to your discovery of Baba & Nyonya culture.
Additional Information:
Address: 48-50, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200 Melaka
Opening hours: 10.00 am – 12:30pm
14.00 am – 16:30pm
Tel: +606 283 1273
Also Read : Top 9 Best Shopping Mall In Malacca City
7. Maritime Museum
Maritime Museum which located at Jalan Quayside is just ahead of the Stadthuys. It is exactly opposite of the Medan Samudera which is a handicraft and local produce building. The best way to get to the Maritime Museum from the Stadthuys is by walking as you can appreciate better the museums, galleries, mosques, churches and other historical fort around Banda Hilir.
The Maritime Museum or the Flora de Lamar is a replica of the Portuguese ship which sank in the coast of Malacca while on its way to Portugal. The replica is a staggering 34 meters in height and 8 meters in width. The main focus of the museum is the maritime history of Malacca and the golden ages of Malacca’s Sultanate as the Emporium of the East. There are also paintings which displays how the Straits of Malacca was a strategic location for traders from both the east and the west stop by at Malacca and conduct their businesses while waiting for the monsoon winds to change direction.
The museum has myriads of exhibits of articles such as porcelain, silk, textile and spices used by the seamen of the yesteryear’s and even come sunken treasures hauled from Diana, another shipwreck. Other than exhibits on the history of the Malaccan Maritime, the museum also showcases the different eras that Malacca has gone through starting from the Malacca Sultanate era to the Portuguese era, Dutch era and ending with the British era.
For ship fanatics, there are also a collection of different ship models that are on display at the museum. You will be able to learn more about the types of ships and their functions from the collection. You can also climb up to the upper deck of the ship to view the diorama of the captain cabin.
Admission into the museum is RM3 per adult and RM1 per child. It is open daily from 9am to 5.30pm. While you are here, do not waste the opportunity to visit the other museums in the area.
Additional Information:
Address: Muzium Samudera, (the Flora De La Ma),Jalan Quayside, 75000 Malacca, Malaysia
Office Number: +603 284 7090
Opening Hours: Daily: 09:00 hrs – 17:30 hrs
Friday: 09:00 hrs – 12:15 hrs, 14:45 hrs – 17:30 hrs
Read also: Top 10 Famous Portuguese Food & Restaurant in Malacca
8. Taman Mini Malaysia
Mini Malaysia & ASEAN Cultural Park is a cultural park where impressive replicas of traditional Malaysian and ASEAN homes can be seen. Similar to the Karyaneka Handicraft Centre in KL, each house contains furnishings, fixtures and works of art depicting the culture of each state or country.
It is located in Ayer Keroh, the Mini Malaysia & ASEAN Cultural Park showcases the country’s 13 states represented with houses that actually look alike to the untrained eye (save for the Borneo house).
However inside each abode is where the differences can be seen with life-sized wax dummies dressed in respective traditional costumes as well as local handicrafts.
At the Mini Malaysia Complex there is also a model of an Orang Asli village. Taman Mini Malayisia is a great place for families to spend their weekends. Kids can learn to play traditional Malay games such as congkak or even hone their skills on an Iban blowpipe at Mini Malaysia & ASEAN Cultural Park. There are cultural dance shows during weekends. Exploring the park is a good way to spend an afternoon and entrance into both Mini Malaysia & ASEAN Cultural Park is included in one ticket price.
Additional Information:
Address: Lebuh Ayer Keroh, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka
Operating Hours:
Closed ⋅ Opens 9AM
Phone: 06-234 9988
You may be interested also: Top 13 Best Nyonya Restaurants In Klang Valley You Must Try
9. Sultanate Palace
Sultanate Palace is situated at the foot of the famous St Paul’s Hill. From the A Famosa or Porta de Santiago, you will pass by a gravesite for the Dutch colonist before reaching at the Malacca Sultanate Palace. The Malacca Sultanate Palace is actually a replica of the structure which was built by the already extinct sultanate of Malacca. The sultanate of Malacca was the ruler of the city before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 1500s. The plan of the palace was based on the Malay Annals’ account of Sultan Mansur Shah’s palace.
It was set at the base of St. Paul’s Hill it was painstakingly constructed in 1985 using traditional construction techniques and materials, based on accounts in the 16th century, Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals) text. Today, the palace is the home of the Cultural Museum which celebrates the Malay side of the Malacca’s history. The museum showcases more than 1300 items of Malacca’s past. Photographs, weaponry, drawings, musical instruments and gifts from foreign emissaries can be found there. All these items are displayed in eight different chambers and in three galleries on the three floors of the palace.
It is closed on Mondays and opens on Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am to 6pm. Since the palace is at the foot of St Paul’s Hill, do not miss the chance to visit the St Paul’s Church, which is at the top of the St Paul’s Hill. Along the way up the hill, you will also pass by some museums. They are the Architecture Museum Malacca and the Stamp Museum Malacca. Islamic Museum of Malacca is another nearby museum. From there you can view displays of how Islam came to Malacca and spread to the entire country.
Additional Information:
Address: Kota, Complex Warisan, 75000 Malacca, Malaysia
Office Number: +606 282 6526
Opening Hours: 09:00 hrs – 18:00 hrs
10. Hang Tuah’s Well
Hang Tuah’s well is located in Kampung Duyong where Hang Tuah was born and spent his childhood among four of his good friends who would later become the famous warriors of Malacca Sultanate. The well is said to be the abode of his soul which takes the apparition of a white crocodile. For a commoner to catch the glimpse of Hang Tuah is hardly likely.
Only the holy and the pure-hearted ever get the opportunity to catch a glimpse of it. Another mystical aspect to the Hang Tuah well is that its water remains clear even after all these years, which is said to never dry up, even during long periods of drought.
The locals believe that the well’s water contains special healing properties, able to cure all sorts of ailments. It was also said that the well-used to be much smaller in size originally, and that it had grown over time. There are some shops within the vicinity of the well. You can buy your souvenirs for your family and friends at there.
Additional Information:
Address: Kampung Duyong, 75430 Malacca
Phone: 06-282 6526
11. Cheng Ho’s Museum
Cheng Ho’s Cultural Museum is located in the old part of Malacca town and it’s believed to be the original site of the warehouse complex build by Cheng Ho. It’s located near to a few renowned streets, namely the Jonker Street, Jalan Laksamana and Jalan Quayside.
Cheng Ho’s Museum. is believed to be a restructured ancient building with Ming architecture, with two to three hundred years of history. The famous Cheng Ho is the Ming Dynasty Admiral who has visited Malacca many times while en route to the Western Ocean from 1405-1433. It is believed that he has set up a huge warehouse complex along the northern side of Malacca River.
To date, there has been dispute in the location of the warehouse complex, while some believed to be at Bukit Cina. Evidence of cultural exchange between the local ethnic and the Chinese, among others, treasure ships, tea houses and other navigation instruments can be found in Cheng Ho’s Museum.
After which you can visit the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum to understand Malacca unique taste of ‘Peranakan’. For more educational activities, you can also visit the Maritime Museum Malacca where you can experience the busy trading zone where the world’s traders meet.
Additional Information:
Address: Jalan Kota, 75000 Melaka
12. Church of St. Francis Xavier
According to history, St. Paulundefineds Church was often named St. Francis Xavier. after its construction by an active Catholic missionary in Southeast Asia. St. Francis Xavier performed several miracles in the church and even translated the quiz into Malay. After his death off the Chinese coast of Upper Sichuan Island in 1552, his body was temporarily buried in the tomb of St. Paulundefineds Church for nine months before being transferred to Goa, Portugal, on the west coast of India. Until now, his makeshift grave remained in the complex center, surrounded by barbed wire fences.
13. Malacca Raya
Melaka Raya needs no introduction to Malacca’s urbanites and regular visitors, as it is well-known as the definitive one-stop destination for a plethora of dining, entertainment, shopping and accommodation options. The area is host to some of Malacca’s better bars and nightlife, plus it’s only a short walk to the historic centre and Chinatown.
Regarded by some as Malacca’s core, this area consists of two shopping centers’, a medical centre, two serviced apartment hotels and a 5-Star international class hotel as well as a slew of banks, restaurants and sundry stores. Malaccan cuisine mirrors the city’s motley, multi-cultural DNA.
Peranakan cuisine is the most popular type of food here, but there’s also Portugese Eurasian food, Indian, Chinese, Indonesian and more. Malacca Raya is known as an area that boasts plenty of dining options along its streets and offers a surfeit of fare to suit every palate and budget.
The area is home to a variety of restaurants that specialize in international cuisine as well as local specials. Hotels house posh, five-star restaurants while the streets are littered with fast food joints, restaurants, open-air cafés and kopitiams, to create a gastronomical haven in the middle of Malacca.
During the day, local fare such as chicken rice ball and Nyonya cuisine are a favorite amongst locals. Pong teh chicken and Malacca cendol at Restoran Nyonya Makko is must try food in Malacca Raya. Malacca Raya offers endless choices when it comes to after-dark entertainment. There are plenty of good nightspots in the area but there are a few that stand out exponentially.
Pure Bar which located in Malacca Raya is the hottest nightclub in Malacca at the moment and is especially crowded during the weekends. Nightclubs as well as karaoke lounges can be found in abundance here.
Also Read : Top 10 Popular Night Cafe In Melaka
On Friday and Saturday nights, Jalan Hang Jebat turns into the not-to-be-missed Jonker Walk Night Market and offers almost everything from kitschy knick knacks to genuine traditional handicrafts.
Malacca Raya also has two fully air-conditioned malls in the area. One of the four-storey shopping complex in Malacca Raya is “Mahkota Parade”which was built and opened in the mid 1990’s.
This complex is especially popular with locals and houses food outlets, camera stores, bookshops, souvenir kiosks, a bowling alley & a Cineplex. The more upscale Dataran Pahlawan houses a slew of upmarket designer stores and restaurants on the ground and upper floors and a craft and souvenir market in the basement portion.
14. Menara Taming Sari
Menara Taming Sari opened to the public on April 18, 2008, taming Sarita, a rotating gyroscope tower in Malacca.
This rotating structure is 110 meters high and can be viewed 360 degrees panoramic view of Malacca and other areas.
It is reported that the towerundefineds structure is roughly strong enough to withstand an earthquake measuring 10 on the Richter scale. In addition, the glass stand can accommodate 80 people at a time, lasting about 7 minutes.
When it rises from the ground to the top of the tower, it sleeps and rotates. After arriving at the top of the mountain, visitors can clearly enjoy the magnificent scenery of Malacca, all the way to the Strait of Malacca, especially when the weather is good.
Location: Jalan Merdeka, Plaza Mahkota, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia.
Contact: +6 06-288 1100
Opening Hours:
Daily: 10:00am – 11:00pm
Ticket Price:
Malaysian: RM17 (Adult), RM11 (Child below 12 years old)
Non-Malaysian: RM23 (Adult), RM15 (Child below 12 years old)
15. Melaka Wonderland Theme Park
Calm yourself down in Malaysiaundefineds hot and humid weather and have some fun spanking. new Melaka Wonderland Theme Park located at Ayer Keroh.
The new water theme park is surrounded by nearly 360 hectares of natural leisure forests and has 16 exciting water attractions such as Pendulum,Anaconda Twist,Adventure Land,Big Wave Pool and Lazy Cum Crazy River.
Also Read : Top 15 Best Theme Park In Malaysia
In addition, remember to try out their outstanding attractions, which are high-speed water slides and exciting recreational facilities.
Location: Lot PT 17178, Lebuh Ayer Keroh, Hang Tuah Jaya, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia.
Contact: +6 06-231 3333 / +6 06-231 1119
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Friday: 11:00am -7:00pm
Saturday to Sunday: 9:00am -7:00pm
Closed on: Monday except during public & school holidays
Ticket Price:
Weekdays: RM33.20 (adults), RM26.05 (children above 90 cm up to 12 years old)
Weekends: RM37.90 (adults), RM32.00 (children above 90 cm up to 12 years old)
Non-Malaysian: RM45.00 (adults), RM37.90 (children above 90 cm up to 12 years old)
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