Buzz
Our three-day expedition to Malacca (or Melaka) left our Malaysian friend astounded. 'It's too long for a small city like Malacca,' they exclaimed. But we beg to differ! My companion and I could have easily extended our stay without feeling bored.
Most visitors merely spend a night in Malacca before moving on, but Malacca is a city to be savored, a retreat for those seeking refuge. You can linger here as long as you desire. Personally, I was captivated by the rich tapestry of diverse cultures interwoven throughout.
You can reach Malacca by bus (from Kuala Lumpur or other Malaysian cities, or even from Singapore, it's quite convenient), or by plane (there are direct flights from Thailand, Indonesia, and more). For further details, refer to Wikitravel.
In this article, I'll share 20 fascinating activities to indulge in while in Malacca. Despite its small size, I advise selecting a centrally located hotel in Malacca, then exploring at your own pace. If time permits, consider my list below and rediscover Malacca once more.
Here are 20 things you should experience in Malacca:
1. Exploring Jonker Walk: The heart of Malacca lies in this quaint area with peaceful streets and ancient architectural wonders. Today, it's filled with souvenir shops, cafes, and restaurants. Staying here lets you immerse yourself in the city's unique heritage. Online booking sites often refer to this area as Jonker Street. A typical room here costs around 30-40 USD per night.
2. Stroll Along Jonker Walk: As mentioned earlier, one of the most enjoyable activities in Malacca is wandering through the old town and experiencing its tranquil atmosphere. Don't hesitate to explore the shops and ancient houses, soaking in every corner. You'll also find many charming and beautiful alleyways along the streets.
3. Wander Along Jalan Hang Lekiu at Jonker Walk (Jalan means 'street'). I call this the street of religions because it hosts four landmarks of four different faiths: Cheng Hoon Teng Temple (a Confucian temple), Masjid Kampung Kling (one of Malaysia's oldest mosques), a Hindu temple, and a Christian church. Fascinating, isn't it?
4. Have Lunch (or Dinner) at Chicken Famosa Ball Rice Restaurant. Also located in the Jonker Walk area, I can't recall the exact address, but you'll easily spot it with its distinctive red hues. Chicken ball rice is a specialty dish but quite popular here.
6. Visit the Portuguese Famosa Fortress: After exploring Dutch Square, head to the Portuguese Famosa Fortress. The fortress was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and partly destroyed by the British in the 19th century. However, it remains a tourist attraction when visiting Malacca.
7. Ascend St. Paul's Hill and Admire the Ancient Church: This landmark is also very close to Dutch Square and was once destroyed by the British. However, what remains is enough to make a very beautiful architectural structure!
8. Visit the Museum at Stadthuys Building: This building was constructed as the city hall under Dutch rule in the 17th century. Today, it's a museum preserving the history of Malacca, especially its colonial era. If you're interested in architecture and history, this is a must-visit attraction.
9. Explore Chengho Museum: Housed in an ancient building in Jonker Walk, this museum features a puppet show telling the story of Chengho (Asia's Christopher Columbus) and pre-colonial Malacca. It's particularly intriguing for history enthusiasts.
10. Discover the Maritime Museum: Housed in a converted ship and now located on the banks of the Malacca River. Not far from Jonker Walk, you can walk there. Malacca has many museums, but this might be one of the most interesting, even if you're not interested in history.
11. Stroll Along the Malacca River: Malacca is also known for its small white houses along the riverbanks. Walk along the river, observe, feel, sip a cup of coffee... That's why I say Malacca is a place for sightseeing and also for those who want to hide away.
12. Visit St. John's Fortress: Built by the Dutch in the 18th century, it sits on St. John's Hill, about 3-4 km from Jonker Walk. The easiest way to get there is by taxi. The whole area is like a park with hills, trees, staff busy with their work, and old cannons... I recommend going there in the morning, even though we went in the afternoon and everything was fine.
13. Attend the San Pedro Festival at the Portuguese Quarter: Following St. John's Fortress, you can take a taxi or walk to the Portuguese Quarter. Here, you immerse yourself in the life of Malacca's citizens. At the end of the street in this quarter, there's a bridge leading to the sea. It would be wonderful to be there at sunset. We visited in June and were fortunate to participate in the San Pedro Festival of fishermen here.
14. Visit Baboon House Café: This is the longest depth café I've ever known (about 50m or more). The café owner transformed an ancient house into this unique café and souvenir shop. He retained all the unique features of the house, including a fairly large garden area. We had beautiful memories at the café, especially engaging conversations with the owner. I was extremely surprised to learn that the inspiration for the café came from Hoi An (a heritage city in Vietnam). You'll find Baboon House in the heart of Jonker Walk (89, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lok). I hope it's still operating.
15. Taste Durian Cendol: Cendol is a sweet dessert of Malaysians with ice, fruits, and syrup. Malaysians have many types of Cendol but Durian Cendol in Malacca is especially delicious! (Or maybe it's just because I'm addicted to durian).
16. Explore Orangutan Stores: The brand is printed on T-shirts by a local artist and is truly impressive. I can't tell you exactly how impressive it is, you just have to go and experience it. They have 2 Orangutan stores in the Jonker Walk area, one larger and prominently orange.
17. Try Nyonya Cuisine: This cuisine is a blend of Chinese and Malaysian foods but is very distinctive to Malacca. You can go to any Malaysian restaurant and request Nyonya dishes.
18. Sip Drinks at Geographer Café at Night: Shops and cafes at Jonker Walk usually close very early and there aren't many options if you want to stay late. However, Geographer could be a good choice as they open until 01:00. The café is located on a corner of Jonker Walk (83 Jalan Hang Jebat).
19. Ride Around with 2-3 Wheelers: The characteristic modes of transportation in Malacca are vibrant and fun, with music playing and drivers always smiling at tourists. You can take a ride around the streets or just snap some photos with them.
20. Shop for Souvenirs: There are plenty of souvenir shops in Malacca, and they're very distinctive. I find them not boring at all and quite different from those in some other tourist cities.
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Source: Mytour Travel Guide - According to Onmyway.info
MytourSeptember 29, 2015
