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 It is traditionally believed that the
history of Malaysia began with the founding of Malacca
or also known as 'Melaka' in 1400 by Parameswara, a Sumatran prince.
Thereafter, the state flourished under the Malacca
Sultanate and eventually became the region's largest
emporium attracting traders from as far as China, India, Arabia and Europe. Malacca came under successive
colonial eras when it was conquered by the Portuguese in
1511, followed by the Dutch rule in 1641 before the
British took over in 1824.
All these foreign influences
have over the years transformed the state into a
cultural melting pot. The Portuguese and Peranakan
communities have until today remained a distinctive
feature of society in Malacca. In the
light of its rich historical past, Malacca has been
officially declared the 'Historical City of Malaysia'.
Famous historical sites in the state include the A Famosa, Stadthuys, St. Paul's Church, St. John's Fort
and Clock Tower
the
ancient palace of the Malacca Sultanate, provides
fascinating insights into Malacca's glorious past. Other
famous tourists attractions include Bukit Cina, Cheng
Hoon Teng Temple, Chinatown, Christ Church, Cultural
Museum (Muzium Budaya), Dol Said's Grave, Ethnographic
Museum, Gadek Hot Springs, Hang Jebat Mausoleum, Hang Li
Poh Well, Hang Tuah Well, History Museum, Kampung Hulu
Mosque, Kampung Kling Mosque, Literature Museum,
Malaysia Youth Museum, Maritime Museum, Portuguese
Square, Proclamation of Independence Memorial, St.
Peter's Church, Sam Po Kong Temple, St. Francis Xavier's
Church, St. Paul's Hill, Tanjung Bidara, Tanjung Kling,
Pantai Kundor, the Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum (Peranakan
Museum) and the Tranquerah Mosque.
 The nightly Light and Sound
Show at 'Padang Pahlawan' (Warrior's Field)
re-enacts in dramatic fashion, the state's historical
past. This is a very thrilling
performances you will see in Malaysia. Antique lovers will find Jonker Street
(Jalan Hang Jebat) with its
myriad of shops to be an intriguing place to hunt and
bargain for treasures of the past and has become a
shoppers paradise and it is here where you can buy a
piece of history back to your home.
Beyond the appeal of its
historical past, Malacca offers a wide range of places
of interest and leisure activities for a truly worthwhile
holiday. I am sure you would want to rest your tired
legs by relaxing by the beach. Pulau Besar and Pulau Upeh
are two popular island retreats easily accessible from
Malacca. While in Malacca, enjoy an exciting experience
of the city on a trishaw or take Photo: A Famosa a bullock cart ride for the fun of it.
 Sample
the famous mouth-watering culinary mix of nyonya food and Portuguese
dishes and other local delicacies and the reason you can
find all these delicious food here is because
the early traders of China who chose to settle
down here married the local Malays and
assimilated the local customs and traditions
whereby the offsprings of these mixed marriages
were called Baba (for men) and Nyonya (for
women) and this gives rise to nyonya cuisine
which is a combination of Chinese and Malay
cooking styles. Restaurants selling nyonya
cooking has now become very popular in Malaysia.
Photo: Proclamation of Independence Memorial
Ayer Keroh
Recreational Park, just
outside the city of Malacca, is situated in a vast
reserve, and is a major tourist recreational spot with
many interesting places of interest.
Attractions here include the Malacca Zoo, Mini Malaysia, Mini ASEAN, a golf resort, hotels, a butterfly farm
and a crocodile farm and the best way to view Malacca at
a leisurely pace is to get on the trishaw which
is a cheap mode of transportation.
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