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Melaka is an ancient city located in the southern part of Malaysia, 2 hours by car from the capital Kuala Lumpur. Melaka (English name: Malacca), is the third smallest state of Malaysia, after Perlis and Penang. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and Johor to the south. The most prevalent religion in this city is Islam (constituting approximately 66.1%), followed by Buddhism (constituting about 24.2%).
Melaka was recognized by UNESCO as a historical site in 2008 and is considered one of the must-visit destinations by Forbes and Lonely Planet magazine.
A street corner in Melaka
In the 14th century, Melaka developed rapidly as the protective territory of the Ming Dynasty of China, and it was also a bustling international trade center between China, India, Western Europe... In 1511, Melaka became a colony of Portugal after a conquest. Then in 1824, the British took over Melaka under the Anglo-Dutch Treaty. Today, Melaka is the capital city of the state of Malacca.
Getting to Melaka
From Vietnam, there are 2 ways to reach this city.
Option 1:
Option 2:
Getting Around in Melaka
1. Walking - Cycling
Melaka is compact, making walking a delightful experience. Additionally, you can rent a bicycle for around 3 RM per hour. Along the central streets, there are plenty of bike rental shops offering various types of bicycles.
2. Bus
Every 15 minutes, bus number 17 departs from Melaka Sentral. This route passes through locations such as Mahkota Parade, Taman Melaka Raya, and reaches Medan Portugis. Simply hop on this bus route to enjoy a citywide tour in a single ride.
3. Trishaw (rickshaw)
Exploring the streets of Melaka on a trishaw is an unmissable experience. A one-hour trishaw ride costs 50 RM or 20 RM for a one-way trip. However, make sure to negotiate the fare with the driver beforehand.
4. Taxi
A taxi ride costs around 15 RM, allowing you to reach any destination within the city. Note that from 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM, taxi fares are subject to a 50% surcharge.
Exploring Attractions in Melaka
The Seaside Mosque of Melaka
Known as Masjid Selat Melaka, this is one of the most beautiful and notable mosques in Malaysia. It is situated on the man-made Pulau Malacca island overlooking the Malacca Strait, one of the longest straits in the world. However, it is quite far from the city center. It takes about 15 minutes by taxi costing 15 RM to get here. Visitors are provided with complimentary Islamic attire at a small house on the left side of the mosque. There is a wardrobe here, and you can comfortably choose your favorite attire. A special note is that the mosque is only open from 9:00 to 21:00 every Sunday.
A Distant View of the Mosque
The Grand Mosque opened to the public on November 24, 2006, with the inauguration performed by Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the former supreme leader of Malaysia. Constructing this magnificent mosque cost approximately 10 million MYR.
Front View of Masjid Selat Melaka
The Masjid Selat Melaka Mosque sits on the southern coast of the 40-hectare man-made island, serving as a true testament to the craftsmanship of the Malay and Middle Eastern people. While the overall structure reflects modern Islamic design, the main dome bears more of a Middle Eastern influence.
Inside the Mosque
The facade is adorned with stained glass windows featuring traditional Islamic motifs, vibrant golden domes, and other towers resembling a lighthouse. The mosque is built on stilts, and during high tide, at the water's edge, it appears as if the mosque is floating on the vast ocean.
Malacca's Catholic Church
As soon as you step into the city center, you can immediately see the Church located at the heart of the Red House Square in Malacca. While there are many churches in the city, the Malacca Catholic Church is considered to have the best location. The characteristic red color on the walls also highlights the beauty that you cannot miss when visiting Melaka.
Christ Church Melaka
The church was built in Dutch architecture in 1753. The exterior walls are painted bright red, and upon stepping inside the church, you will feel extremely cozy. The building is predominantly red, but the name of the church and a large cross are painted white on its facade. The church is 25 meters long and 13 meters wide, with a ceiling height of 12.2 meters. The wooden beams, said to be cut from a single tree, stretch across the ceiling. The floor is paved with granite blocks, and its walls are made of Dutch bricks. Four large columns support the church along with a small dome, and a bell hangs. The bell is inscribed with “1698,” meaning it was used elsewhere before being placed in the church.
Front Yard of the Church
Every Christmas season, Christ Church Melaka is adorned with red and orange flowers, creating an extremely cozy atmosphere when visiting Melaka. Note that the church's opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Experience the Old Town's Jonker Walk
Known as the soul of Melaka, the Jonker Walk old town district was established in the 14th century. With the prosperous trade development at that time, a group of Chinese immigrants migrated here to seek their fortune. They married local people and created the Baba-Nyonya culture, bringing together the fusion of two distinct Malay and Chinese cultures.
Ancient Architecture in the District
Everything here is very peaceful
The houses in this district still retain their ancient architecture and distinctive features. Not bustling or hurried, everything here happens slowly and gently. Flower walls or small cafes are hidden among souvenir shops. It is because of these simple things that this place has won the hearts of anyone who comes to Melaka.
Boating on the Malacca River
My recommendation is to take a boat ride in the late afternoon at sunset, the most beautiful time of the day. Along both sides of the river are cafes and flower walls with nostalgic charm. The boat moves not too fast so you can enjoy the scenery. The total travel time is about 45 minutes to 1 hour, and the operating hours are from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Tourists exploring Melaka by boat along the Melaka River
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
This is the oldest and most ancient temple in Malacca, built in the 17th century. The temple is the Hokkien community's place of worship, with the main hall dedicated to Quan Yin. Cheng Hoon Teng reflects the architecture of southern China, from craftsmen hailing from Fujian and Guangdong.
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple Gate
The central altar worships Kuanyin, the goddess of mercy. To the left, Ma Choe Poh is worshipped, the guardian deity of fishermen, sailors, and travelers.
Inside the Temple Compound
Unlike other Chinese temples, Cheng Hoon Teng does not use guardian deities at the entrance; instead, the doors are guarded by famous Taoist priests. Eight immortal deities ride on animals at the outer gate. At the main entrance of the temple, the Eight Immortal deities appear not in human form but symbolically as dragons with four talons. In the talons are musical instruments, specifically a flute, a sword, a lotus, and a fan. These dragon figures are also called Ar Enn Pak Sien.
The colorful roof is a distinctive feature of this temple
The temple walls are all painted with lime. At that time, lime was used instead of cement. Everything used originated from nature. Lime was made from oyster shells and wood charcoal.
Malacca Maritime Museum
The Malacca Maritime Museum is located right in front of the Stadthuys, opposite to Medan Samudera, a local handicraft building.
A Distant View of the Maritime Museum
This museum is a replica of a shipwreck off the coast of Malacca while en route to Portugal. It stands 34 meters tall and is 8 meters wide. The centerpiece of the museum is the maritime history of Malacca and its golden era as the Emporium of the East under the Malacca Sultanate.
The door wings are designed in arch shape
In front of the Museum
For maritime enthusiasts, there is a collection of various ship models displayed inside the museum. You can learn more about the different types of ships and their functions from the collection. Additionally, you can climb up to the ship's deck to see the captain's cabin. Admission to the museum is 3 RM/adult and 1 RM/child. Opening hours are from 9:00 to 17:30 daily.
The beautiful city of Melaka is an ideal stop for anyone who loves exploration and travel. A city of utmost peace and serenity. With specific information about Melaka travel experiences and detailed guidance on must-visit places here, I hope to be of great help to you in your upcoming trips.
Author: Tran Thi Nhu Quynh
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