Overview
Driving, walking, cruising are the methods used to see this city at its best.
Jonker Street–the centre street of Chinatown–was once renowned for its antique shops. However, over the years, it has turned to clothing and crafts outlets, as well as restaurants.
Though it may be a city that is unknown to you, Malacca is colorful and cosmopolitan, which is due to its very strategic location. Legend has it that it was founded by the Sumatran Prince Parameswara in 1400 and named for the Melaka tree. It grew quickly, and over the years was governed by many different countries including the Dutch, the British, and the Portuguese. It is considered, though, the birthplace of Malaysia and because of its unique heritage, customs, and lifestyle of the locals, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This tour will highlight St. Paul's Church, the ruins of which overlook the city and the waterfront, as well as the oldest Christian church still in use today in Malaysia, St. Peter's Church. The Porta De Santiago, one of four main gateways into the A'Fomosa fortress, is the sole surviving remnant of the massive defenses from the past and will be an interesting stop. The Dutch Administration office, also called the Stadthuys, remains a magnificent sturdy old building that looms over the town square. It was built by the Dutch in the 1650s to be the seat of Dutch leadership and several museums are in and around the building that may be of interest, including the Museum of History and Ethnography, Museum of Literature, and the Democratic Government Museum.
The influence of Asian cultures is predominate in cultural and religious buildings, such as the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple. Known as the temple of green clouds, this is the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia. It is a superb example of southern Chinese architecture and still is a center of Taoism, Confucianism, and Chinese Buddhism. Jonker Street is the center of Chinatown and was once renowned for its antique shops, but today the area is full of clothing and crafts for locals and tourists. You can still find wonderful curio shops mixed in and almost hidden. Aim for those during a little free time to find a special souvenir of the past.
As you make your way through the numerous restaurants in the area, your hunger will grow and land you in a local restaurant for a Peranakan lunch. The Peranakan and Bornean cuisine is influenced by Chinese, Indian, Thai, and Indonesian cultures, and uses many of the same methods of cooking, as well as herbs and spices. It will taste familiar with a little difference, enough to feel like you are exploring.
Learning about new cultures through food is exciting, as is a boat ride on the Melaka River. As the gateway to the Sultanate of Melaka many centuries ago, nations from all over used this river as an entry port to begin their trading of spices and later began their colonization. Your riverboat cruise will bring you back to your ship, which is a wonderful culmination to your day.
- Lunch is included. No beverages are included.
- All entrance fees and your river boat ride are included.
- Please be informed that during Chinese New Year, traffic issues in Malacca will be amplified, but you will be able to experience how the locals celebrate the festive season.
- Please note there is surcharge pricing for all National and New Year holidays. Contact ShoreTrips with any questions.
Days offered: 7 days a week
Departures:- 09:00 AM, duration: 8 hours
