Melaka was one of the most prominent trading ports during the era of the Malacca Sultanate, forging commercial and cultural relationships between the East and West. A testimony to that is the city’s architecture that draws inspiration from British, Dutch, Peranakan and Portuguese elements. You can visit Christ Church Melaka, a Dutch-style church that calls attention to itself with its striking red colour. Standing tall in a similar colour is the Melaka Clock Tower, just a stone’s throw away. You can also see the whitewashed gatehouse of A'Famosa, the only remnant of a 16th-century fortress.
You’ll find plenty of things to do in Melaka – be it tracing the history of ethnic Chinese-Malays at the Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum or spending some quiet time at Saint Paul's Church, perched atop a hill of the same name. You can also set out on a leisurely cruise along the Melaka river or enjoy panoramic views of the city from Menara Taming Sari, a gyro tower.
Set some time aside to walk and shop in the teeming Jonker’s Street, nestled in Melaka’s Chinatown. You can pick up a thing or two from the array of handicrafts, antiques and souvenir shops along with riverside eateries. If you come here on a weekend, you’ll get to watch this road transform into a vibrant night market, serving mouth-watering street food and drinks.