About Melaka

Hotel in Melaka

Melaka (English: Malacca, dubbed as The Historical State and also Negeri Bersejarah amongst locals) is the third smallest Malaysian state, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south. The state’s capital is Malacca Town. This historical city centre has been listed as a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO since 7th July 2008.

Although Malacca was once one of the oldest Malay sultanates, the state has no Sultan today. Instead, the head of state is the Yang di-Pertua Negeri or Governor.

The state of Malacca covers an area of 1,650-sq. km. or 0.5 percent of the whole area of Malaysia. The state is divided into 3 districts, that is Central Melaka (Melaka Tengah) (314 km²), Alor Gajah (660 km²), and Jasin (676 km²). Malacca is located on the southwestern coast of Malay Peninsula opposite Sumatra, with the state of Negeri Sembilan to the north and Johor to the east. Malacca is also situated roughly two-thirds of the way down the West coast, 148 km south of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia and 245 km north of Singapore and commanding a central position on the Straits of Malacca. The state capital Malacca Town is strategically located between the two national capitals (of Malaysia and Singapore respectively) and is linked with excellent roads and highways. Malacca is yet to have its own train station, though the terminal at Tampin, Negeri Sembilan is easily accessible. It has a domestic airport terminal located in Batu Berendam.

The offshore Pulau Besar (Malacca), Pulau Upeh and Tanjung Tuan are also parts of Malacca.

The tourism and manufacturing sectors are the two most important sectors in the state economy. Malacca has adopted as its slogan, "Visiting Malacca Means Visiting Malaysia" ("Melawat Melaka Bererti Melawati Malaysia"). It is rich in cultural heritage and bears several places of historical interest.

The state is much sought after for medical education with the establishment of the Melaka Manipal Medical College which located in Bukit Baru. It has produced many doctors who are serving the country or working abroad since its inception in 1997.

The state also has a twin campus of Multimedia University which located in Bukit Beruang. The campus currently attracts many foreign students, especially those from the Middle East and Africa, through its computer and engineering programmes. The university also features degree programmes in fields like robotics, bio-instrumentation and law. Most of the student population of Multimedia University is drawn from its foundation programmes, also known as the Alpha Programmes.

Malacca also has several public universities and colleges such as, Universiti Teknologi Mara UiTM in Lendu, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, UTeM (previously known as Kolej Universiti Teknikal Kebangsaan Malaysia, KUTKM) located in Ayer Keroh, Kolej Yayasan Melaka (KYM), Bukit Baru and Kolej Teknologi Islam Antarabangsa Melaka (KTIAM).

The historic centre of Malacca was inscribed on the World Heritage List on 7 July 2008 together with George Town, the capital of Penang.

The Malays who are the original settlers of Malacca since 1400, form the largest community. The Malaccan Malays are rich in culture from their daily life to the building arts. The famous Malacca Steps or Tangga Melaka are common in front of many Malay houses in Malacca.

Two of the most important museums in Malacca are the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum and the Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum.

Malacca is well-known for its food. Most notable of all is the traditional Malay dishes like ikan asam pedas, sambal belacan and cencaluk.

Belacan, a Malay variety of shrimp paste, is prepared from fresh tiny shrimp of a species known as geragau in Malay. These are mashed into a paste and buried for several months. The fermented shrimp are then dug up, fried and hard-pressed into cakes.Belacan is used as an ingredient in many dishes, or eaten on its own with rice. A common preparation is sambal belacan, made by mixing belacan with chilli peppers, minced garlic, shallot paste and sugar and then fried. The aroma from the frying mixture can be unpalatable to Westerners who have not become accustomed to it, but is an absolute delight to the Asian connoisseur. Melaka is also famous for satay celup. Raw fish and meat are skewered onto sticks which is then cooked in a peanut sauce. The satay celup is often self service where you pay for individual sticks.

There is also Nyonya-Baba cuisine which is a mixture of Chinese (mostly southern Hokkien or Fujian influence), Portuguese, Dutch, Indian, British and Malay cooking with most dishes being spicy in nature. Interesting dishes of the Peranakan include Itek Tim (a soup containing duck and salted vegetables), Ayam Pong Teh (chicken casserole with salted brown-bean sauce which is usually served with potatoes) as well as the famous Nyonya Laksa. Chicken Rice Ball is another dish popular with domestic Chinese tourists.

Malacca’s ethnic Portuguese population are the descendants of Portuguese colonists from the 16th and 17th centuries. Even to this day, many of the ancient traditions passed down since the Portuguese occupation are still practised, i.e. "Intrudu" from portuguese word "Entrudo" (a water festival that marks the beginning of Lent, the Catholic fasting period), "branyu" (traditional dance), "Santa Cruz" (a yearly Festival of street celebrations).

The Portuguese colonists contributed dishes like Devil’s Curry and Portuguese egg tarts to the town’s already rich cuisine. Ikan Bakar (roasted fish) restaurants in Umbai, Serkam and Alai are also popular.

Attraction In Melaka

Melaka Jonker Street

Jonker street is a very attractive place in Melaka. Visitors must go there before you leave Melaka! The street is more happening at every night of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. During the three nights, you can buy many souvenirs that are only available in Melaka, Jonker Street, also, many delicious foods are available! Hai Nan coffee, cendol, laksa, and so on are recommended.

Baba-Nonya Heritage Museum

Art and objects illustrating Malaysia’s wide cultural diversity are on display in this restored home. Tours are by appointment only.

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple (Temple of the Evergreen Clouds)

This Chinatown temple, said to be the area’s oldest, boasts colorful glass and porcelain figures and intricate wood carvings.

Hang Li Po Well

Queen Victoria’s Fountain

The fountain is located in fort of the Christ Church and at Stadthuys. The fountain is funded by local chineses to celebrate the Queen Victoria, England crowned as queen anniversary. The fountain is a hot spot for photo

Flora de la Mar Maritime Museum

A restored Portuguese ship called Flora de la Mar makes for an impressive museum; Melaka’s colorful seafaring history is tastefully displayed within.

Melaka Town Square

This was the town center during Dutch colonial times.

Sri Pogyatha Vinoyagar Moorthi Temple

The Hindu deity Vinoyagar, recognizable by the elephant head, is also known as Ganesg. This temple’s colorful exterior is at odds with its gloomy.

Villa Sentosa (Malay Living Museum)

Definitely for tourists only, this tiny museum is actually a Malaysian house showing how a typical Malaysian family lives.

A’Famosa Fort

This 16th century Portuguese fort has been mostly destroyed; in its heyday it occupied a massive area and contained numerous government buildings, churches and hospitals.

St. Paul’s Hill (Bukit St. Paul)

The A’ Famosa Fort and landmark St.Paul’s Church are two of the many attractions in this district.

Stadthuys

This 17th-century building was the seat of the Dutch administration and now houses a history museum

Porta de Santiago

Only a ruin now, Porta de Santiago is the only remaining gateway of the formerly massive A’Famosa fortress.

Malacca Sultanate Palace

This landmark palace has been carefully restored using ancient nail-free construction. A cultural museum is also on site.

 

Major Hotel

  • Century Mahkota Hotel Malacca
    Jalan Merdeka, 75000 Melaka

  • Emperor Hotel
    Jalan Munshi Abdullah, 75100 Melaka

  • Grand Continental Hotel
    Jalan Tun Sri Lanang, 75100 Melaka

  • Golden Legacy Hotel
    (formerly Pan Pacific Legacy Hotel)
    Jalan Hang Tuah, 75350 Melaka

  • Renaissance Hotel Malacca
    Jalan Bendahara, 75720 Melaka
  • Straits Meridian Hotel
    Bukit Baru, 75150 Melaka

Resort

  • Air Keroh Country Resort
    Air Keroh, 75450 Melaka
  • Tanjung Bidara Beach Resort
    Masjid Tanah, 78300 Melaka
  • Riviera Bay Resort
    Tanjung Kling, 76400 Melaka
  • Klebang Beach Resort
    Tanjung Kling, 76400 Melaka
  • Air Keroh D’Village Resort
    Air Keroh, 75450 Melaka

Budget Hotel

  • Accordian Hotel
    Jalan Bendahara, 75100 Melaka
  • Baba House
    Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200 Melaka
  • Belmount Hotel
    Jalan Portugis, 75200 Melaka
  • Bentona Hotel
    Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho, 75000 Melaka
  • Coastal Park Hotel
    Jalan Ujong Pasir, 75050 Melaka
  • Grand Southern Hotel
    Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho, 75000 Melaka
  • Lotus Inn Hotel
    Jalan Semabok, 75050 Melaka
  • Metropole Hotel
    Jalan Tun Ali, 75300 Melaka
  • Mimosa Hotel
    Jalan Bunga Raya, 75200 Melaka
  • Pacific Inn
    Jalan Tengkera, 75200 Melaka
  • Palace Hotel
    Jalan Munshi Abdullah, 75100 Melaka
  • Semabok Inn Melaka
    396, Jalan Semabok
    75050 Melaka
  • Tan Kim Hock Hotel
    Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho, 75000 Melaka