Print This Article Post Comment Add To Favorites Email to Friends Ezine Ready

Melaka - The Red City Of Malaysia

By: Nowal Khan Home | Travel-and-Leisure


Melaka is the oldest capital city in the state of Malaysia and it is the center of Malaccan history as well. There are many preserved landmarks that represent the essence of Malaccan history right from the occupation of Dutch, Portuguese, British and Japanese. Today, Melaka has been established as one of the UNESCO world heritage sites and shouldn't be missed when visiting Malaysia.

Most of the interesting travel spots in Melaka are concentrated in the center of the city. The famous Jonker Walk or Jalan Hang Jebat is known for its extensive antique pieces and great food options. New cafes and specialty stores nicely dotted the area which only added charm to this amazing lane. Peranakan architecture is very apparent in Jonker Walk.

Melaka tourism is largely dependent on its cultural heritage hence they preserve it as much as they can. Here, you can find many remarkable museums especially in Bandar Hilir area. A Famosa Fort and St. Paul Hill can also be found in this area. These remnants dated as far as 500 years ago and very captivating to see.

Melaka Sultanate Palace museum is situated at the foot of St. Paul's Hill. Although this is not the original palace, it is now home to Malacca Cultural artifacts. Climbing up the hill of St. Paul, you will find ruins of St. Paul's Church, another heritage structure of Melaka.

A'Famosa Fort is among the oldest existing European architectural remains in Asia. It was once an enormous and powerful structure and only the tiny gate survived overtime. It was built by Portuguese commander Afonso de Albuquerque who believed that Melaka would become a port linking Portugal and China.

Stadthuys on the other hand, is the big red building that stood next to the stairway of St. Paul's church. It was the official residence of the Dutch Governor and has been an important landmark in Melaka, Malaysia. Today, it is home to two museums, the Historic Museum and the Ethnography Museum where travelers can find large collection of traditional bridal costumes and Malacca's relics. At the back is yet another museum, the Literature Museum.

Northeast of Malacca town, travelers can find the largest Chinese cemetery outside of China. Bukit China's tombs dated back to Ming Dynasty and are well kept by Melaka community.

One of the oldest landmarks in Malacca, is the Kampung Keling Mosque. It was built by Indian Muslim traders in 18th century and it features the unique architectural influence of Sumatra while the Cheng Hoon Teng temple is believed to be the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia. It is a Buddhist temple richly decorated with mythological figures and breathtaking wood carvings and furnishings.

Melaka also offers sandy beaches off shores, the two main islands to visit are Pulau Besar which is a beach haven and Pulau Upeh, a nature lover's paradise. Pulau Upeh is also home to the rare Hawksbill turtle. These islands can be accessed by taking a ferry from Jeti Anjung Batu in Umbai.

There are many fascinating tourist spots here in Melaka, Malaysia aside from the above mentioned. Melaka is a compact town filled with many tourist attractions which delight tourist all over the world. Going around town is made simple with Bas Panorama Melaka which operates all throughout Melaka, giving tourists the convenience of getting to one place and another.

Truly, a Melaka travel is like a walk back in time with its rich and preserved culture you will not find anywhere else in the world. It is truly amazing how the Melaka community cared for their heritage and managed to cater to its multicultural history.



Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com

About the Author:
Nowal has been a freelance travel writer and photographer for almost 10 years now. His expertise lies in Asia Travel Guides. Find out more about his recent travel guide of two historical destination of Malaysia. Melaka Travel Guide & Penang Travel Guide

Tags: , , , ,

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Travel-and-Leisure Articles Via RSS!

Recent Related Articles From Travel-and-Leisure

  • Take An Enchanting Path Through Malaysia
    By: John Nathaniel | Jan 19th 2011
    Displaying the rich heritage of an exotic place, tourists can enjoy lovely hotel accommodations in Malaysia. With a colorful culture and history, Malaysia showcases a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, heritage and tradition. Read

  • Melaka Heritage Walk
    By: Nowal Khan | Feb 17th 2009
    Melaka, Malaysia is best known for its well preserved culture and heritage. This is why Melaka earned its place in the coveted UNESCO world heritage sites. Melaka or Malacca is Malaysia's oldest historical city and one of the most popular tourists' spots in the world today. Read

  • Enjoy The Beauty Of Malaysia
    By: meredithsalenger | Mar 14th 2011
    Malaysia is a land of many cultures. It is the most attractive and mesmerizing holiday destination in south East Asia. It comprises of lush green greenery, exciting island beaches, natural beauty, exotic flora and fauna of national parks.



    Read

  • Malaysia Tour: For A Varied, Rich And Memorable Experience
    By: Jason Born | Nov 12th 2008
    Malaysia tour can prove to be a memorable tour. It is a country of diverse geographical features and cultures. There are some popular sites like Malacca, Penang, Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur which you must make a point to visit. Read

  • For A Vacation Filled With Diverse Elements, Visit Malaysia
    By: Jason Born | Nov 13th 2008
    You can visit Malaysia if you want to have a variety of experiences. This country has beaches, hill resorts, rainforests as well as historical sites. Its population is also made up by diverse cities and cultures. Read

  • Malaysia Tourism: Great Holiday Experience
    By: Jason Born | Dec 26th 2008
    Malaysia tourism bestows a lot to its travelers. The Malaysian tourism industry has burgeoned in past few years and provides world class facilities for an impeccable holiday experience. Read

  • Explore The Mesmerizing Malaysia
    By: meredithsalenger | Mar 14th 2011
    Malaysia is a land of varied cultures, wonders and attractions. Located at the junction of the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, Malaysia is one of the most desirable destinations of Asia. Malaysia tourism has been pulling tourists since ages. In this country Malays, Indians, Chinese and other people live tighter in pea ... Read

  • Malaysia At Its Peak
    By: meredithsalenger | Mar 14th 2011
    Malaysia also named as â€truly Asia†is one of the best tourism destinations inside Asia. It is 11th most visited country of the world. Malaysia is said to be the land of diverse culture, exotic foods and natural beauty. It is country where people of different origin live together with peace and harmony. Malaysia is per ... Read

  • Top Destination And Its Attractions To Visit On Your Malaysia Tour
    By: bhaskar | Apr 6th 2011
    Malaysia is one of the most top rated tourist destinations in South East Asia. This beautiful country in Asia is the fastest growing tourist’s spots in the entire world. The country is blessed with natural and manmade wonders and is perfect destinations for your peaceful and fun filled holidays. Malaysia with sheer divers ... Read

  • Hotels In Malaysia And Tourist Destination In Malaysia
    By: Nancy Pelosi | Mar 22nd 2010
    Accommodation in Malaysia is another added feature which attracts travelers from around the world. Malaysia hotels not only provide excellent facilities but are cheap also. Read


Copyright © 2005-2011 eArticlesOnline, LLC - All Rights Reserved
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy