About Melaka
Strategically located along the Straits of Malacca, Melaka was once the epicentre of an important trading empire which attracted thousands of traders from all over the world. Historical buildings and sites abound in Melaka, the birthplace of the nation's historical and cultural heritage. Remnants of its long and illustrious past under the successive rule of the Portuguese, Dutch and British are well-preserved and can still be seen today, earning it the prestigious title of UNESCO World Heritage City in 2008. Beyond the historical crowd-pullers are scenic kampong settlements and a rich cultural landscape.
Getting into Melaka:
Melaka is situated approximately 144km from Kuala Lumpur, 90km from Port Dickson and 224km from Johor Bahru. The Melaka International Airport is located in Batu Berendam, approximately 10km from Melaka City. If you're driving, the North-South Expressway runs through the state and provides easy access to its attractions, which are located near the Simpang Ampat, Ayer Keroh and Lipat Kajang exits. Melaka Sentral, the central bus and taxi terminal in Peringgit, is roughly 6km from the city. Malaysian Railway or Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTMB) operates regular train services from various parts of the country to Tampin and vice-versa. You can take a taxi or a bus from the Tampin/Pulau Sebang Station, which is approximately 38km from Melaka City.
Getting Around Melaka:
You can get a taxi at bus stations, hotels and shopping complexes. Please agree on the price before you get into a taxi. Another option is to hire a car and travel at your own pace. To get to attractions within and around the city, you can take the local buses or the Panorama Melaka tourist bus. For short ride within the city center, you can hop onto a rickshow/trishaw.Dining:
Melaka's unique cultures are reflected in its cuisine. Stalls selling all types of local specialties - Malay, Nyonya, Chinese, Portuguese and Chetti - line Jonker Street at night with their mouth-watering offerings. Other popular places where one can find a good selection of local specialties include Melaka Raya, Bandar Hilir and Jalan Munshi Abdullah. Among the must-try local dishes include Asam Pedas Melaka, Satay Celup, Chicken Rice Balls and Kembuli Rice.Shopping:
Jonker Street (Jalan hang Jebat) and Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock are known for great antique finds. The charming rows of Peranakan (Straits Chinese) shop houses that line these roads are said to contain some of the best antiques in the country - furniture, ceramics, crockery, jewellery, trinkets, old currencies, costumes and paintings, among others. Visitors can also find a variety of souvenirs such as T-shirts, mugs and keychains - some of which can be personalized to your liking - in Jonker Street. The Karyaneka Handicrafts Emporium on Jalan Laksamana has a good range of pottery and other handcrafted items, while Jalan Kubu is filled with shops that specialise in traditional Peranakan footwear and clothing. A wide selection of popular brands is available at Dataran Pahlawan, Melaka Megamall, Mahkota Parade and Jaya Jusco Ayer Keroh.
About the writers
Constance
Raised and based in Melaka, Constance is the go-to person when you need any advice for places to visit here. She is a QA expert in the food industry and her professional practice raises the benchmark for her food reviews. She is an avid traveller that constantly looking for new adventures. On the weekend, she usually hops around cafes and she is into coffee art. Check out Constance's lifestyle blog at http://constance-ant.com/
Jerine
Jerine is a talent acquisition by day and an online store owner by night. She is a hipster at heart but also appreciates heritage art & culture. This is why she chooses Melaka as her second home as the city fits her personality like a glove. Jerine is a tea connoisseur. She is a bargain hunter who loves flea markets, hawker food stalls and local bazaars. Check out Jerine's travel inspired online store at http://wanderlustthings.com/
