When traveling in Asian countries, one country you shouldn't miss out is Malaysia. I had so much fun learning their culture, places that I've visited were really stunning, the food were just amazing and people were very accommodating. One of the cities that I've visited in Malaysia is Malacca, a UNESCO world heritage site with a rich trading history and multicultural heritage.
Malacca (also called Melaka in Behasa Malaysia) is a great place to explore during daytime. There are quite a few hotels and hostels available and some local homeowners who are willing to put their house up for rent. The city offers beautiful attractions and places that represent their rich culture and history. Malacca is easily accessible by bus or taxi if you're coming from Kuala Lumpur. Locals and foreigners often travel to Malacca during weekends to experience the night market which opens every Friday to Sunday night, 6 p.m to 12 a.m only. If you're planning to visit Malacca, you might want to consider putting some of these best places to visit, food to try and activities to do while touring in Malacca, Malaysia.
Related article: Backpacking Malaysia & Singapore: 5-Day Itinerary, Cost Breakdown & HighlightsI. Tour the town via colorful Trishaw
Trishaw ride in Malacca is an attraction itself that tours you around to different attractions in Malacca town. For a minimum amount of 5 usd, you can hire a cyclist to take you to the famous sites in Malacca with a little bit of trivia or history from the trishaw cyclist itself. These colorful trishaws are available every day from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. As of the writing here's the updated price list.
20 minutes ride - 25 RM
40 minutes ride - 35 RM
1 hour ride - 50 RM
II. Revive the History by visiting these Top 10 Museums
With a whopping 37 museums in Malacca, it's really hard to pick which museums deserves your time and ringgit. Every museum has something to offer to every traveler who wants to know more about the history of Malacca. Your selection depends on your purpose. Below are the top ten museums in Melacca, Malaysia based on the choices of locals and foreign tourists.
1. Cheng Ho Cultural Museum
The museum exhibits the life of Zheng He which built around 600 years ago. The museum displays all the goods that acquired by Zheng He during his travels.
What to see:
Old Malacca Village
Ship Gallery
Garden Courtyard
Antique Gallery
Treasure Ship
2. Democratic Government Museum
This museum houses all the things that are related to the development and practice of parliamentary democracy in Malaysia.
3. Muzium Seni Bina Malaysia
This museum was built by the Dutch in the 18th Century during their occupation in Malacca. The museum was opened in public in 2004. Some of the things that you will see here are the historical development of Malaysian architecture, Malaysian beliefs, the typology, carvings and motifs, tools, technology and other materials used in the 18the century.
4. Malacca Islamic Museum
This museum is about the Islam in Malacca, Malaysia. It exhibits the mixture of traditional Islamic arts with local and international craftsmanship. If you're into the study of Islam, this museum is perfect for you.
5. UMNO Museum
This museum exhibits the historical matters related to the founding and struggles of United Malays National Organization in Malacca, Malaysia.
6. History and Ethnography Museum
This museum is located inside the Stadhuys building and was built during the Dutch period in Malacca, Malaysia. The museum displays the history of Malacca from establishment in 1400 until 1957. It also displays the lifestyle and culture of various communities of Malacca.
7. Malacca Stamp Museum
This is the postal museum in Malacca and was built on 1954. The building has the characteristics of western architecture with local roof, doors and windows.
8. Royal Malaysian Customs Department Museum
The museum building was constructed to serve as a warehouse during the British government rule in the early 18th century. Its role was to store imported trade goods and goods for exports. But it was changed in 2001 when all the export and import activities were moved to the ports in Kuala Linggi and Sungai Rambia. The portion of the building was converted to the office of the Malacca State Customs Department from the 1950s until 2003. The warehouse was then converted to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department Museum and was opened on August 2006.
9. Royal Malaysian Navy Museum
This museum exhibits photos of admirals, various ranks in the naval command, medals of honor, evolution of naval uniforms, weapons, communication equipment, navigation symbols, training programs, etc.
10. Maritime Museum
This is the most visited museum in Malacca with monthly visitors of around 20,000 tourist, both local and foreigners. The museum main exhibits the replica of Flor de la Mar. It also houses exhibits, artifacts, documents from the golden era of Malacca and the trading link of Malacca from the early time through the colonial era until independence.
III. Relax in Malacca's 10 famous Nature and Parks
1. Malacca River
This river was once dubbed as the "Venice of the East" and is a popular tourist attraction primarily because of the 45-minute River Cruise, which offers tranquil views of colonial buildings, antiquated shophouses, local settlements and ancient bridges as well as modern decorations and local art displays within Malacca.
2. The Shore Oceanarium
Describes itself as the 'new premier tourist attractions in Mallaca, the Shore Oceanarium is a fun and educational place to bring the kids and enjoyable to adults as well. Some of the highlights here are the Interactive touch pool, Jungle quest and the Kampung penyu where you can feed the sea turtles with raw fish.
3. Gunung Ledang (Mount Ophir)
This is the mountain situated in the Gunung Ledang National Park located in Tangkak District, Johor, Malaysia. This is popular destination among amateur climbers.
4. Malacca Zoo
With more than 1200 animals of 215 species, you'll definitely enjoy this 54-acre zoological park. This is the second largest zoo in Malaysia behind the National Zoo of Malaysia.
5. Padang Pasir Klebang, Melacca
A hidden attraction in Melacca, Padang Pasir Klebang contain hills of sands, the hills was resulted from the land reclamation project in Klebang area.
6. Pengkalan Balak Beach
Located in Alor Gajah Malacca, Pengkalan Balak Beach offers various sea food restaurants. Some of the favorite activities normally done by tourist here are picnic, swimming, fishing, camping.
7. Melaka Bird Park
Hailed as the first open aviary bird park in Malacca, this park houses a large collection of Malaysian bird species with nearly 700 birds species.
8. Melaka Wonderland
This is the latest tourist attraction in Malacca. The Melaka Wonderland offers a complete water park experience for families, kids, teens, and thrill seeker alike.
9. Tanjung Bidara Beach
Tanjung Bidara Beach is one of the beaches on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is about two hours away from Kuala Lumpur city.
10. Wildlife Theatre Melaka
Perfect for all families, Wildlife Theatre Melaka offers colorful soaring birds, fascinating reptiles and the mysterious tribes of tropical rainforest of Sarawak in a thrilling presentation of vibrant energy and spectacular display of dance, light, color and entertainment.
IV. Top Restaurants, Where to Eat and What to Try
1. Jonker Street Night Market
First on the list is the Jonker Street which is the most famous place in Malacca. From clothing, crafts, coffee shops, cafes and restaurants, you'll never go wrong in visiting Jonker Street. One of the main attraction here is the Night Market that falls only Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. This crowded night market street sells everything from grilled seafoods, tasty treats, Malaysian signature food, etc.
2. Chung Wah Chicken Rice Ball
One of the most famous dishes in Malacca is their chicken rice balls. This is a steamed chicken and serves with soft rice balls and chili sauce. With such simple interior, chicken rice ball is the main and only attraction of this restaurant. You just need to go there early or else you'll wait and join the long lines of eager diner outside the restaurant.
3. Jonker 88 Cendol
This restaurant is famous for its Cendol, a European dessert with three main ingredients - cream, caramel and vanilla. Jonker 88 serves different flavors but their two signature Cendol are the Baba Cendol and the Baba Durian Cendol.
4. East and West Rendezvous
This restaurant is famous for its Nyonya Chang, glutinous rice with delicious fillings wrapped in bamboo, lotus or banana leaves.
5. Lung Ann Refreshment Kopitiam
Never miss out their famous pork and chicken satay, a marinated chunks of meat lined prettily on the skewer sticks, grilled on the charcoal stove and furnished with the fragrant char. Best way to eat with peanut sauce.
6. Loh Yong Moh Restaurant
This is the first and the oldest Dim Sum restaurant in Malacca. They serve the best Dim Sum in town. The ordering system here is quite different because there's no menu. The servers are just walking around with the tray full of food items and you just need to pick your food choices.
7. Heng Huat Kopitiam
For only 4 Ringgit, you'll surely enjoy Heng Huat wanton noodles. The noodles serves based on your preferred version, you can choose either dry or with soup.
8. Bunga Raya Popiah
Never miss out their most sought-after popiah but please take note that this restaurant is very strict in their policy of "No Photography". For only 4 Ringgit, you'll experience their authentic popiah filled with eggs, bean sprouts, turnips, bean curds, peanuts, pork lads and dressed with both sweet sauce and chili sauce.
9. Sun May Hiong Satay House
Another Satay house is the Sun May Hiong. Just like the first Satay House that we've mentioned on this list, Sun May Hiong also serving pork, chicken and pig liver satay.
10. Baba Charlie Nyonya Cake
Before heading home, you should put on your list Baba Charlie, a store where you can buy different kuihs. The store is pretty hard to find coming from Jonker Street, so you need to ask other locals or you can search the street thru waze or google map.
There you go! I hope this list helped you in choosing what's best and what to include in your itinerary. Please leave a comment below if you have something in mind to add on the list.
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