Malaysia’s Best-Kept Secret
AT THE SOUTHERN TIP OF THE MALAY Peninsula, Malacca is known for it rich history, UNESCO World Heritage status and inspiring colonial architecture. It’s also a great walking town. The riverside promenade is the place to start, where former spice warehouses, some covered with colourful graffiti, reflect in the calm water.
COLONISED BY THE PORTUGUESE, the Dutch and then the Brits, Malacca is awash with “European” landmarks. There’s Red Square, built by the Dutch, which houses Christ Church, the oldest Protestant church in the country; there’s the 500-yearold, Portuguese-built Santiago Gate; and there’s the ultra-British Queen Victoria’s Fountain.
MALACCA BOTANICAL GARDEN is the city’s beautiful green lung, part jungle and part landscaped park. There are paved trails along which you can walk, cycle or ride an electric buggy. The garden is also the base for the thrilling Skytrex Adventure, where you can zip-line, sky-bike, tree climb and bungee swing.
THE NIGHT MARKET ON JONKER STREET is a great place to hang out on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. The centre of Chinatown, it used to be all about antique shops but now you find stalls selling everything from souvenirs and clothing, food and temporary tattoos, to art prints and Studio Ghibli merchandise.
AT 153M, THE SHORE SKY TOWER is Malacca’s highest viewpoint. From the 43rd floor, panoramic city views stretch 50 kilometres in every direction. The perimeter wall is made out of glass so as not to impede the view and, if you dare, you can walk out onto the vertigo-inducing glass-floored sky deck.
EATING IS THE NATIONAL SPORT in Malacca. Look out for specialities like assam pedas (spicy, slightly sour fish curry) and satay celup (skewers of pretty much anything cooked in a boiling vat of soupy satay sauce). Of course, the authentic Indian curries are wonderful, and the rich and spicy laksa proves totally addictive.
MALAY, CHINESE AND INDIAN cultures meet and mingle throughout the city. Jalan Tokong, aka Harmony Street, strings together the centres of worship of the three main faiths: Cheng Hoon Teng Buddhist temple, Sri Poyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Hindu temple and Kampung Kling Islamic mosque.