Malaysia, Malacca - The Historic State

The state of Malacca (a.k.a. Melaka) lies south of the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The states of Johor and Negri Sembilan are to the south and north of Malacca respectively. By car along the North-South highway, Malacca is just a 3-hour plus drive from Singapore, depending on traffic conditions.

Malacca City, viewed from a room window at the Hatten Hotel, Malacca, Malaysia (2015)

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, the city centre boasts a number of iconic tourist attractions. Besides places for sight-seeing, Malacca's rich cultural heritage also translates into an equally rich food culture. 

A simple breakfast of Roti Canai (an Indian flatbread) is usually served with curry, Malacca, Malaysia (2015)

Claypot Rice served in a hot claypot with rice, chicken and lots of flavourful garnishing, Malacca, Malaysia (2015)

Malacca's many historical buildings and sites have been "preserved" as museums. These museums are natural tourists magnets and on any normal day, one is likely to witness hordes of tourists visiting these places. 

The Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum is a cultural museum that highlights the state's history and as an extension, the history of the region. Entry fees applies for this museum.

The Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum, Malacca, Malaysia (2015)

The "A Formosa Fort" was originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The Portuguese controlled Malacca City until the Dutch defeated them and took over the city in 1641. The British eventually took over the city in the 18th century. Today, this is a famous tourist landmark in the city. Entry to this historical fort is free-of-charge.

A Formosa Fort, Malacca, Malaysia (2015)

A Formosa Fort, Malacca, Malaysia (2015)

A Formosa Fort, Malacca, Malaysia (2015)

A street artist peddling his works in A Formosa Fort, Malacca, Malaysia (2015)

As a result of the tourism boom, many local businesses have blossomed including hotels, restaurants and shopping malls. The night life in Malacca, when it comes to clubbing and bars, are not as vibrant as one would expect in a city whose economy is largely sustained through tourism. Those seeking a vibrant nightlife will be much better off looking elsewhere!

Visitors looking for information about Malacca City prior to their visits will more often than not be presented with tourism materials touting the famous Jonker Walk. Located in the Chinatown area of the city along Jonker Street (which is how the famous namesake of Jonker Walk was derived), one will find shops selling anything from antiques to handicrafts, souvenirs and food, Most of these shops are housed in historical shophouses dating back to as early as the 17th century, 

Historical shophouses that date back to as early as the 17th century along Jonker Walk, Malaaca, Malaysia (2015)

Personally, I find Jonker Walk to be nothing more than an overhyped tourist trap. Anything you find here, you can easily find in any other parts of the city or in bigger cities like Kuala Lumpur. For me, the only stuffs interesting about Jonker Walk are the old historical shophouses.

Typical street scene along Jonker Walk on a weekday afternoon, Malacca, Malaysia (2015)

Of course, many tourists do find Jonker Walk to be unique and interesting. If you are visiting Malacca, go take a walk along this famous street and judge for yourself!

A dragon decoration on the pillar of a Chinese Temple along Jonker Walk, Malacca, Malaysia (2015)

Malacca City though relatively small compared to the bigger and more populous cities in Malaysia, is still an interesting place with a strong touch of history. The major plus point for tourists is that most of the historical landmarks are located relatively close to each other. This means you can basically visit these places one after another on foot.

A typical one or two-day visit to Malacca will allow you to take in the majority of the sights and sounds of this historical city. Taking in a couple of hundred years of history in such a short visit does seem like a great deal, doesn't it? :-)

Malacca City, viewed from a room window at the Hatten Hotel, Malacca, Malaysia (2015)

Malacca City, viewed from a room window at the Hatten Hotel, Malacca, Malaysia (2015)