pearls of the orient
Each month we highlight a destination from the far or near east that we’ve either recently experienced or that’s caught our eye.
Malacca – Malaysia’s Hidden Historic Treasure
Just a couple of hours drive south of Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, and halfway to Singapore is the historic and colourful town of Malacca. The town possesses a unique charm of its own with a delightful mixture of people and cultures, all of whom contribute to its distinctiveness.
Its rich history includes pirates scouring the Straits of Malacca, European colonisation, and along with Penang and Singapore, is home to the proud cultural tradition of the Peranakan people, descendants of the very early Chinese immigrants.
There are some interesting legends surrounding the foundation and naming of Malacca including one that the city was founded by a descendant of Alexander the Great.
Regardless of legend, the prosperity and strategic location of Malacca attracted the invasion of the Siamese in the mid 1400s, however the development of relations between Malacca and China was a strategic decision to ward off further attacks.
Subsequent European colonisation included the Portuguese arrival in 1511, Dutch rule from 1641and British rule through the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824, evidence of which can still be easily seen throughout the town.
Malacca is also well known for its food, shopping and friendly atmosphere. You can hail a trishaw for a ride along the many streets that wind through a colourful mishmash of shop houses, sample the local Nyonya-Baba cuisine (best known for their Laksa), or hunt down a treasured antique in one of the many curios stores. Malacca also has two large modern shopping centres that boast a range of local and international brands.
On weekends the famous Jalang Hang Jebat (Jonker Street) is closed to traffic and comes alive as a night market with mobile stalls selling anything from traditional food, arts and crafts and souvenirs with Chinese fortune tellers and street entertainers adding a touch of extra colour.
Cross the bridge from Jonker Street and stand near the Victoria Fountain in the centre of the Red Square and you’ll be deep within living history. Just metres away you’ll see the oldest Dutch buildings in the east, the Stadthuys which were built in 1660, and the Christ Church which was completed in 1753. Nearby are a number of Malacca’s many museums.
Malacca is also home to the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, which has an inscription dating 1685 commemorating the deeds of by Kapitan China Li Wei King.
Whether sightseeing, antique shopping or just sampling the unique Peranakan cuisine, Malacca is a must if travelling to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and is easily accessible by road from either destination.
