Melaka Weekend Getaway

Serving as a key port-of-call for more than 600 years, Melaka has a rich colonial history that is unique on the Malaysian peninsula.

We started our visit with a quick Trishaw tour...


The Trishaws in Melaka are festively decorated with flowers and other gaudy ornamentation. Some of the younger Trishaw drivers outfitted their machines with battery powered stereo systems. It is strange hearing these three wheeled machines blasting hip-hop music!

Melaka was founded in 1396 by an exiled prince from Sumatra (Indonesia). These early Indonesian settlers occupied much of the peninsula and are now considered the ancestors of the Malay people.


No buildings remain from the 15th century Indonesian settlements. The Sultanate Palace was recreated based on historical descriptions from government and religious documentation of this era.

The great Chinese Admiral Cheng Ho payed a diplomatic visit to Melaka in 1405. Cheng Ho's early journey signaled the beginning of Chinese migration to the Malaysian peninsula. Chinese settlers quickly became intertwined with the native Malayan culture, often intermarrying with locals and vice versa. The offspring of these mixed marriages became known as the Baba (male) and Nyonya (female) peoples.


The early Chinese settlers also brought their Buddhist and Taoist religions from mainland China. Built in 1646, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is the oldest temple in Malaysia.

Portuguese colonists made their way to Melaka in the early 16th century. They constructed numerous religious facilities and a huge stone fort named A' Famosa.


'Our Lady of the Hill' church was built by a Portuguese captain by the name of Duarte Coelho in 1521. It occupies the topmost point of the hill surrounded by A' Famosa. Saint Francis Xavier was briefly unshrined in the open grave within the church in 1553.

When the Dutch claimed control of Melaka in the mid 17th century, the name of the church was changed to 'St. Paul's Church'. This Saint sounds familiar...


Not satisfied with just 'St. Paul's Church', the Dutch constructed 'Christ Church' in 1753. The church is a testament to Dutch architectural ingenuity.

The Dutch, however, did not look as favorably upon the remnant of Portuguese power, A' Famosa. So, in the early 19th century the Dutch set out to destroy the fort... BOOM!


Timely intervention by Sir Stamford Raffles (A pretty popular gentlemen in Singaporean history) in 1808 prevented complete destruction of the once glorious Portuguese fortress. Only one A' Famosa gatehouse remains today.

Despite colonial pressure from Portuguese, Dutch and British invaders, the Malay way of life continued to thrive in Melaka...


Built in 1728 by Dato Shamsuddin, Kampung Hulu's Mosque is the oldest Mosque in Malaysia. Its unique architectural style is not traceable to any other in the country.


Kampung Kling's Mosque is one of the oldest Mosques in the county with Sumatran architectural features. Instead of a conventional dome, a three tier roof rising like a pyramid is in place. The minaret is shaped in typical Moorish style but is structured like a Pagoda, portraying a mixture of Eastern (Chinese) and Western (Portuguese) influence.


Just across the street from Kampung Kling's Mosque is the ubiquitous row of Chinese shophouses interspersed with Malay buildings.

We stayed at Hotel Puri located near the previously described locations. Hotel Puri was the former residence of a wealthy Melakan Chinese businessman who was also a well respected philanthropist...


The hotel was beautifully restored with airy, open spaces and small, tidy guest rooms. The courtyard won an award for best garden a few years ago and the (included) breakfast buffet spread was huge and tasty.

Melaka was a unique combination of Malaysian and European history combined into a city just small enough for a weekend getaway...