Tourism Tips: World Heritage Historical Site - Malacca

Christ Church is located next to the Queen Victoria’s fountain. It’s also the first attraction that most tourists would visit here.

Built by the Dutch in 1753 to commemorate the centenary of their occupation of Malacca, this church took 12 years to complete. No expense was spared in building it – from the wooden ceiling beams, each cut from a single tree, to the elaborately hand carved pews and frieze of “The Last Supper”. When the British took over the church in 1795, they put in a few additions, most notably the weathercock atop the bell tower. Originally a Dutch Reform Church, it was later consecrated as an Anglican Church.

The church is still in a very good condition. Photograph is not allowed in the church though, so I only spent like 5 minutes in the church. The church is relatively small, similar size to most of the contemporary churches in Kuala Lumpur. There’s no way it can rival the churches that I visited during my trips in Italy and Vatican.

Many of Malacca’s buildings are painted a distinctive shade of red

The building is owned by the Dutch Governer in 1650 as the governer office, it serves the purpose as Museum of History and Ethnography nowadays. Well to be honest, the building itself is much more antique and unique compare to the inside offering! Standing tall and strong with bright historical red wall, with one magnificent clock tower in its vicinity, it is sure a great place with a postcard view.

The Stadthuys Museum Complex is composed by History and Ethnography Museum, Literature Museum, Admiral Cheng Ho’s Gallery, The Governor’s Museum and The Museum of Government Democracy. If your history teachers always call out your name for getting A’s in history, this is really a Disneyland for you. Walking through the display will put you in a time travel machine showing the history of Malaysia throughout the decades.

Taking time between few hours up to half day tour, one can simply mesmerized by the collection offered by the museum. Old rifle, porcelains, replicas, ancient weapons like swords, Kris exhibit will kill the time efficiently. Try to look for traditional wedding of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Portuguese with plentiful of classic wedding dresses complete with altar or pelamin area carefully presented with detail of history.

Bukit St Paul (St Paul's Hill)

A’Famosa aka Porta de Santiago

St Paul, probably saying something wise like:

"Let the one who thinks he is standing be careful that he does not fall"

Fantastically decrepit St Paul's Church (1521)

The courtyard, with the statue of Admiral Cheng Ho in the middle.

The internal of the Stadthuys

The Stadthuys (an old Dutch spelling, literally meaning “town hall”), also known as the Red Square, is a historical structure situated in the heart of Malacca Town, the administrative capital of the state of Malacca. It was built by the Dutch occupants in 1650 the office of the Dutch Governor and Deputy Governor.

The Old Stadhuys Drainage System

Concrete staircase to St. Paul Church.

The Dutch Square is the starting point for a ride in one of these rickshaws.

Melaka Maritiem Museum

The Maritime Museum itself is a replica of the 'Flora de La Mar', a Portuguese ship that sank off the coast of Melaka while on its way to Portugal, carrying loot plundered from Melaka. The ship measures 34 meters high, 36 meter long dan 8 meter wide. The museum highlights Melaka's importance as a regional and international business centre from the period of the Melaka Sultanate, right through the Portuguese, Dutch and British era.

Maritime Museum (Replica Flor de La Mar), Malacca is also known as Muzium Samudera in Malay language. There are 2 phases of Maritime Museum. And together with TLDM Museum and Ex-KD Sri Terengganu Warship are part of the Maritime Museums Complex. We are going to explore Maritime Museum

It's surprising that you have to take off our shoes at the entrance of the museum. You can choose to put your shoes at the shoe rack provided at the entrance door or put them into a plastic bag provided by the museum and carry it with you to the museum. When you continue your visit you'll find the answer at the first deck of the ship museum. The floor is very well polished.

At the upper deck you'll see different models of ships showcased there. Also visualized are situations of how traders from Arab, India and China conducted business with each other in order to gain profit in Melaka port, which was known as Venice of the East at that time. Porcelain, silk, textile and spices were among some of the famous merchandises being brought into Melaka by the traders. Framed paintings and pictures that illustrate how Melaka played its role as emporium for traders from all around the world, were also hanged on the walls.

Moving forward to the other side of the ship, was the captain’s cabin. This is where you can see diorama of a captain's cabin although you are not allowed to walk into the cabin to have an actual look, you can still read about the roles of a captain at the door step.

The museum houses exhibits, artefacts and documents from the Melaka's golden era as the Emporium of the East and reveals how political control of Melaka was essential to the establishment of maritime dominance in the region.

The museum also traces Melaka's trading links from the earliest times through the colonial era, the Japanese conquest and brief period of Japanese rule, the return of Britain as the colonial master, the emergence of the independent nation of the Federation of Malaya and the formation of Malaysia.

The Maritime Museum is located along Quayside Road (Jalan Merdeka) at the Melaka River.

Opening hours

9am - 5:30pm (Monday to Friday)

9am - 9:00pm (Saturday and Sunday)

Entrance fee RM 5

Air Keroh lies about 15 km from Melaka city and there you will find the largest crocodile farm in the country. This sprawling 3.2 hectare park houses more than 200 species of crocodiles living in its natural environment. Some of the species include the humpback, albino, African Dwarf, Siamese, Tailless and many more.

The highlight of a visit to the crocodile farm is of course the exciting performances by the trained keepers with the crocodiles. The performances are sure to keep you at the edge of your seat. The times of the shows are usually displayed prominently at the farm. There are also fixed times when the crocodiles are fed and these are equally fun to watch. The kids will love this part of the family vacation.