Malacca is a wonderful mix of modern living and centuries’ old heritage, with the tagline ‘Visiting Malacca is visiting Malaysia’. It is a small state but has plenty to offer. The city can be deemed sleepy compared to the bustling Kuala Lumpur. See all sides of Malacca with those things to do when in this UNESCO World Heritage city, and while public transportation is a little scarce, most hotspots are within walking distance from each other, so invest in a pair of good walking shoes and start exploring!
Admire the Sultanate Palace
The Sultanate Palace is actually a model of the original wooden palace that belonged to Sultan Mansur Shah who would have been the ruler of Malacca from 1456 to 1477. The home has now been transformed into a cultural museum which is flanked by pretty gardens and what makes the building even more impressive is that it was made without using any nails to hold it together.
Instead the structure stands as a result of some clever engineering and a series of wooden grooves and slots and the reconstruction was done after taking detailed notes of how the original palace would have looked according to the Malay Annals.
Walk around Jonker Street
Jonker Street is the soul of Malacca. The former residential centre of the old city bursts with life and activity. Colourful and decorated shop houses, each different from its neighbour, line the winding and branching streets. Stop by the vibrant cafés to rest your feet or hunt for bargains and relics in the antique shops.
In the evening, Jonker transforms into the city’s beating heart with energetic travellers, riverside bars and unlimited street food. Weekend travellers can hit the nationwide-famous Jonker Street Night Market on Friday and Saturday nights.
Enjoy Street Art
The street art is what makes
Malacca so colourful and will give you lots of photo opportunities on your Malacca trip. Lots of street art can be found around the River and it is all in perfect condition too! Visit Melaka must be taking care of it as they know the street art is now one of the top places of interest in Malacca and it is becoming so famous for it!
As well as looking along the river be sure to head off into some side streets around Jonker Street to find the best street art in Malacca.
Explore the Botanical Garden
Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself with lush greenery with a visit to the Botanical Garden in Ayer Keroh. Home to over 300 species of flora and fauna, enjoy a scenic morning walk, a healthy jog or a bike ride through its pathways, and when you are done, pay a visit to the Book Village located right in the heart of the park. With over 15,000 books on its shelves, the Book Village makes a great place for a relaxing afternoon with a great read.
Visit Cheng Hoon Temple
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| Photo Yann Pinczin du Sel |
Cheng Hoon Temple is just off of Jonker Street and worth a quick visit. There are a few Buddhist Temples in Melaka but this is famous and on my list of Malacca things to do as it is the oldest working Buddhist temple in Malaysia. It is very pretty from the outside and inside.
Visit Stadthuys
Stadthuys is one of the most famous landmarks in Malacca and you will recognize it immediately thanks to the crimson façade.
The building dates from 1650 which makes it the oldest of its kind that was built during the
Dutch colonial period and is modeled on the Stadhuis or town hall in Hoorn in the Netherlands. This used to be the local town hall and residence of the governor but nowadays it houses the History and Ethnography Museum.
Shop local food products
Some claim that Malacca is home to some of the finest food in
Malaysia. People from all over Malaysia flock to Malacca to get some of only-in-Malacca food products, so grab the opportunity while you are in town. Head to two of the biggest food manufacturers in Malacca; Tan Kim Hock for delicious dodol and coconut candy, and San Shu Gong for durian chocolate and bean biscuits. When you are done, hop over to LW Pineapple Tarts for some fresh out-of-the-oven nyonya pineapple tarts.
See more:
Malaysia and spectacular places to visit
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