Excursion Discover melaka's culture & heritage tour at Melaka

Explore the culture and heritage of Melaka during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Straits Mosque, The Stadthuys & Christ Church

After tendering from the ship to the local jetty, board a coach for the approximately 30-minute drive to Melaka for an overview. Upon arrival, your first stop (external) is Melaka Straits Mosque that built on stilts over the water and facing the famous Malacca Strait, it looks like a floating structure if the water level is high. This mosque showcase the excellence and glorious modern Islamic architecture. Next stop is at the Stadhuys, the most imposing relic of Dutch rule in Melaka. It features salmon red walls, heavy wooden doors and wrought-iron hinges. Once the official residence of the Dutch governors and their officers, it now houses the Historical Museum. From here, a brief stop is made at the adjacent Christ Church, a Dutch Reformed church constructed in 1753.  

Ethnographical Museum & Porta de Santiago

Next, continue on to the Ethnographical Museum. Built in 1982, this museum of history and ethnography is a great place to learn the history of Malacca. During your tour, see artifacts and historical drawings dating from Portuguese, Dutch, British and Japanese occupation to the period of Malaysian independence. Leaving the museum climb St Paul Hill to visit St Paul Church where, St Francis Xavier was temporarily buried before his body was transferred to Goa, India. As you descend, a photo stop is made at the Porta de Santiago, or 'A Famosa'. Although the original fortress dates from 1511, a small gatehouse is the only remaining part of the fortress still standing.

Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum & Jonker Street

Re-board your coach and proceed to the Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum. Named after Chinese descendants who adopted the Malay culture and customs, the museum reflects the artefacts, furniture and trappings of a wealthy Peranakan family in the early-20th century. Items of interest to be seen during your guided visit include expensive brandy, silver cutlery and bone china dinner services.

Your final stop is at Jonker Street, a testament to the rich Baba-Nyonya heritage of Malacca. The buildings are immaculately constructed, and adorned with elaborate carvings on their pillars and walls. The street is also famous for its antique shops. Upon arrival, 30 minutes is made available for independent exploration before re-boarding your coach and commencing for the short drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Straits Mosque, The Stadthuys, Christ Church, Ethnographical Museum, Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum, Jonker Street

Note

Please note:This tour involves a moderate to extensive amount of walking for approximately 0.62 mile (about 1 kilometer), at times over flat, hilly and sloping surfaces of approximately 280 wide steps from Ethnographical Museum to Porta de Santiago thru St Paul Hill, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilize a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing, flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. No videotaping or cameras are permitted inside the Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum. The tour sequence may vary.