'''Malacca''' (Malay: ''Melaka'') is a small state in southern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is located between Johor and Negeri Sembilan.

Regions

Malacca is administratively divided into three districts: '''Alor Gajah, Central Malacca''' ('''Melaka Tengah''') and '''Jasin'''. Malacca City is located in Central Malacca while the other two districts are mostly rural.

Cities

  • Malacca - the capital city is rich in history and is the main attraction in the state
  • Other destinations

  • '''A'Famosa Resort''' - theme park resort complete with golf course and safari park located near Simpang Ampat
  • '''Pantai Kundor''' - nearest beach to Malacca City
  • '''Tanjung Bidara''' - probably the best beach in the state
  • '''Pulau Besar''' - resort island, now somewhat dilapidated, off the coast south of Malacca City
  • Understand

    Talk

    Languages spoken in Malacca are Malay, English, and Mandarin, as well as various Chinese dialects (with Hokkien or the Fujian dialect dominating). Unique to Malacca is the Peranakan dialect of Malay spoken by the Peranakan or Baba-Nyonya community, and Cristao or Kristang, an old version of Portuguese still spoken by the Malacca Portuguese Eurasian community.

    Get in

    By plane

    '''Batu Berendam Airport''' ({{IATA|MKZ}}) ({{ICAO|WMKM}}) is located about 10km from Malacca City and is being upgraded to accommodate larger aircraft (2006). There are no Malaysian domestic flights serving this airport. However, '''[http://www.riauairlines.co.id Riau Airlines]''' flies several times weekly to Pekanbaru, Sumatra. See the Malacca City article for details on how to get to the airport.

    By bus

    Many long-distance express buses connect destinations in Malacca state with Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and other cities in Peninsular Malaysia.

    Most express bus companies start and end their journeys at Malacca City's Melaka Sentral bus terminal, located about 3km from the historic core of Malacca city. However, some companies also run buses from, or do pick-ups or drop-offs at other towns and locations in the state, such as Alor Gajah, Masjid Tanah, Jasin and the A'Famosa Resort.

  • [http://www.transnasional.com.my/transportation_overview.asp '''Transnasional'''] is the largest long-distance bus operator in Malaysia. It links the state with a host of destinations in Peninsular Malaysia like Kuala Lumpur, Seremban, Singapore and further afield. Transnasional buses depart from Malacca City (Melaka Sentral), Alor Gajah, A'Famosa Resort and Masjid Tanah.
  • By car

    Malacca state can be accessed via the '''North South Expressway''' by exiting at the '''Alor Gajah-Tampin''' (officially '''Simpang Ampat'''), '''Ayer Keroh''' and '''Lipat Kijang''' (Jasin) exits. Ayer Keroh exit is the nearest to Malacca City.

    Malacca City is on the Coastal Trunk Road (Federal Route 5). Those using the Main Trunk Road (Federal Route 1) must turn off at Simpang Kendong or Tampin, Negeri Sembilan, about 40km away from Malacca City.

    Malacca is 150km from Kuala Lumpur, 216km from Johor Baru, 90km from Port Dickson.

    By train

    Malacca city is not served by any railway lines. The closest railway station is at Tampin (Railway station Tel: ''+60-6''-3411034), about 40 km from Malacca city on the border with Negeri Sembilan. The station is actually located in Malacca territory. See Malacca City article on how to get there or away.

    By boat

    There are no ferries from any destination inside Malaysia. However, there are daily ferries between Dumai and Pekanbaru in Sumatra, Indonesia and Malacca City. See the Malacca City article for more details.

    Get around

    Several bus companies with mostly old and rickety buses operate the local bus network in the state. Travellers will not really need to use them unless they want to go to the airport, catch a train in Tampin or go for a swim in Pantai Kundor or Tanjung Bidara.

    Most local buses operate from Melaka Sentral bus terminal in Malacca City. However, there are also irregular buses which serve rural villages from towns like Alor Gajah, Jasin, Lubuk China, Masjid Tanah and Merlimau.

    Bus companies are most easily identified by the colour of their buses. Although some have route numbers, destinations are usually displayed clearly at the front of the bus.

  • '''Kenderaan Aziz''' (red and white): Jasin, Merlimau and Muar (connections to towns in Johor).
  • '''Batang Bus''' (red and white): Batu Berendam airport, Batang Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Machap, Selandar and Tebong.
  • '''Malacca Omnibus Service''' (MOS) (Yellow and red): Asahan, Jasin, Merlimau, Muar, Nyalas and Tangkak (for connections to Gunung Ledang, Muar and Segamat in Johor).
  • '''Patt Hup Transport''' (Blue and yellow): Pengkalan Kempas (for connections to Port Dickson and Seremban, Negeri Sembilan), Kuala Linggi (for connections to Port Dickson), Masjid Tanah, Tanjung Bidara, and Pantai Kundor.
  • *'''For Tanjung Bidara:''' Take any Kuala, Kuala Linggi, Masjid Tanah or Pengkalan Kempas bus and get off at Masjid Tanah. Change onto a Tanjung Bidara/Kem Terendak bus.
  • '''Salira''' (Light blue and yellow): Tampin (for connections to Seremban and Gemas, Negeri Sembilan) via Ayer Keroh and Durian Tunggal.
  • '''Tai Lye''' (Dark blue, red and white): Tampin (for connections to Seremban and Gemas) via Alor Gajah.
  • '''Tuahbas''' (Yellow and dark blue): Batu Berendam airport, Merlimau.
  • See

    '''Traditional Malacca Malay houses''' can be seen especially in the Merlimau area about 20 km south of Malacca City on the coastal road to Muar and Johor. A unique feature of the Malacca Malay ''kampung'' (village) house is its concrete and attractively-tiled front stairway. Most Malays are very house proud and you can see the effort put into up-keeping and gardening.

    The Portuguese Settlement in Malacca is occupied by descendents from the Dutch colonial days. Annually, during the weeks preceding Christmas Day, the settlement is brightly decorated for Christmas. Streets and homes are brightly decorated with colourful lightings and ornaments.

    During Chinese New Year which normally falls in the month of January or February, the chinese community will decorate their homes with brightly lit red lanterns and ornaments. These can be especially seen in Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Heeren Street), Jalan Hang Tuah (Jonker Street) and Jalan Bunga Raya.

    Do

    Visit Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Heeren Street) where you will see traditional houses dating back to 17th century. These long and narrow houses were homes of rich families in Malacca. Today, they are mostly shop houses.

    Jonker Walk in Jalan Hang Tuah (jonker Street) is a night market that features products and foods associated with the local chinese and Peranakan communities. Jonker Walk is only available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 6.00pm onwards.

    During Chinese New Year festival, these old streets (Heeren Street,Jonker Streest, etc) are brightly lit with red lanterns.

    The Portuguese Settlement in Malacca is occupied by descendents from the Dutch colonial days. Annually, during the weeks preceding Christmas Day, the settlement is brightly decorated for Christmas. Streets and homes are brightly decorated with colourful lightings and ornaments.

    Eat

    For eating options outside Malacca City, many head to two popular seafood eating areas, namely '''Umbai''' and '''Pengkalan Balak'''. These places only come alive in the evening.

    Umbai is located about 11 km south of Malacca City on the coastal road to Muar and Johor. If coming from Malacca City, turn right when you see the signboard "Jeti Pulau Besar Pernu" just before Umbai town. A row of stalls selling seafood cooked Malay-style located at the end of the road. Catch a Merlimau- or Muar-bound bus from Melaka Sentral and tell the conductor to let you off at "Medan ikan bakar".

    Pengkalan Balak is located about 35km north of Malacca City on the road to Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. It is located just next to Tanjung Bidara, Malacca's best stretch of beach. Getting is quite complicated - involving a drive to Masjid Tanah and then to Pengkalan Balak - and almost impossible by public transport.

    Peranakan or Baba-Nyonya cuisines are popular among tourists. Most of the Peranakan eateries are located in Melaka Raya and Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Heeren Street). Baba-Nyonya cuisines are mostly sweet and spicy. Some will serve Durian Cendol, a sweet traditional desert made from palm sugar and durian.

    "Satay Celup" is unique to Melaka. These are meats, seafood and vegetables skewered on sticks and dunked into a nutty spicy sauce to boil and cook. The "satay celup" shops are only open in the evening. The best "satay celup" are said to be located in Jalan Ong Kim Wee or Lorong Bukit Cina.

    Drink

  • Pure Bar. Taman Melaka Raya Melaka, Malaysia. 606 281 4309. http://www.purebar.com.my. Open 4 days a week from Wednesday to Saturday( and during special events)</drink>

    Stay safe

    Stay safe in Melaka.

    Watch out for pickpockets and bags snatching. Carry your identification papers (passport) with you always because there are random checks by the police for illegal immigrants.

    Get out