{"id":357,"date":"2014-10-09T05:22:16","date_gmt":"2014-10-09T05:22:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/budget-or-blow-out-malacca\/"},"modified":"2022-08-08T23:20:04","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T23:20:04","slug":"guide-to-melaka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/guide-to-melaka\/","title":{"rendered":"Budget or blow-out: Malacca"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once a bustling, cosmopolitan port of enormous strategic importance, Malacca<\/a> (also known by its Malay name, Melaka) was visited by ships from all over the world. They travelled to Malaysia to buy and sell porcelain and silk from China, gold and pepper from Indonesia and sandalwood from Borneo. Today, the ornately decorated shops and teahouses where tradesmen once did business now host tourists keen to check out remnants of the compact city centre\u2019s 16th-century glory. In fact, the architectural mix of redbrick Dutch colonial buildings, Portuguese fortifications and Chinese temples saw Malacca declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008. Whatever your budget \u2013 whether you want to splurge or save \u2013 there are plenty of great ways to experience the city\u2019s rich heritage.<\/p>\n

How to see the sights<\/h2>\n

Trace ancient trade routes with a river cruise that winds its way towards the Straits of Melaka. You\u2019ll pass several sites of historic significance, including Villa Sentosa in the tiny Malay village of Kampung Morten. This house was built in the 1920s and, having been handed down through subsequent generations, is meticulously preserved. Check out lavish wedding costumes, old-school kitchenware and a huge Chinese gong believed to bring good luck. Several companies operate year-round tours, with boats meandering past flower-strewn riverbanks and sleepy bars sporting colourful murals before reaching a towering replica of the Portuguese ship Flor De la Mar. At RM15 per person (around $5), it isn\u2019t going to break the bank.<\/p>\n

For a slightly more energetic (and expensive) option, pedal off on an Eco Tour which takes in 20km of Malacca\u2019s stunning surrounds and passes through luscious plantations over the course of three hours. The round-trip costs RM100 (around $40) per person.<\/p>\n

However, if you want to save your cents and still get some exercise, most hotels and guesthouses offer a free bike rental service. Pedal your way from Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, which dates back to 1646 and is the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia, past the boutiques and cafes that line Jonker Street, all the way to Porta de Santiago gate, the crumbling structure is all that\u2019s left of A\u2019Famosa, a fortress built in 1511 by the Portuguese.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t fancy working up a sweat, see the sights from the comfort of a trishaw \u2013 these extravagantly decorated \u2018taxis\u2019 can easily be flagged down outside Stadthuys city hall \u2013 a bold testament to the Dutch colonial era.
\n<\/p>\n

Where to stay?<\/h2>\n

Get ready to give your credit card a workout, but trust us it\u2019s worth it. Housed in a 1920s mansion the stark white exterior of\u00a0The Majestic Malacca<\/a>\u00a0doesn\u2019t do the opulent interior justice \u2013 think porcelain floor tiles, teak shutters and intricate artwork. Filled with antiques that stand testament to the city\u2019s once extravagant empire, the building was given a very sympathetic extension a few years back resulting in the five-star, luxury hotel with 54 spacious rooms and suites we see today. A visit to the Spa Village is a must, where treatments are based on a combination of Peranakan healing philosophies and Chinese medicine, and complement a person\u2019s cool or warm energy. The Malay massage focuses on pressure points and uses oils made from cinnamon and citronella to improve circulation. Try a coconut and pandan hair treatment \u2013 simply heavenly.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re keen to try out a few spa experiences, head to Massa Sutra on Jalan Kubu for a Thai or Zen massage \u2013 prices start at RM60 for an hour (around $20). For budget prices, you can\u2019t go far wrong with Galileo Guesthouse, just six rooms seconds away from the green tiered roof and imposing white minaret of Kampung Keling Mosque.<\/p>\n

Where to eat?<\/h2>\n

Set in a slightly ramshackle old shop house, spread over three floors with great views into the kitchen from the staircases, Nancy\u2019s Kitchen (15 Jalan Hang Lekir) serves Baba-Nyonya dishes to whoever manages to beat the lines during its lunch and evening services. Arrive early or risk being turned away as the queue starts snaking its way towards the antique shops of Heeren Street. The menu isn\u2019t expensive, but with so many must-try dishes it\u2019s easy to get carried away. The ayam buah keras (candlenut chicken curry) and pai tee (nicknamed \u2018top hats\u2019, these are crisp pastry cups filled with spicy fried vegetables) are essential eating. If you can\u2019t bag a spot inside, pick up a couple of banana leaf-wrapped parcels of nasi lemak spiced with the ubiquitous condiment sambal belacan.<\/p>\n

For a more refined Nyonya experience (and to learn a few culinary skills to take back home with you) join a cooking workshop at the Hotel Equatorial, where you\u2019ll learn to make ayam pongteh (chicken and potato curry) and udang lemak nenas (prawn and pineapple stew) before sitting down to a scrumptious feast.<\/p>\n

And for decidedly no-thrills dining, take a short stroll away from the evening madness of Jonker Street and head along Jalan Laksamana towards the lights of an open-air food court, where you\u2019ll soon come across Pak Putra. This excellent Pakistani place has its large clay tandoori ovens set up outside the cavernous restaurant and does a brisk trade in spicy chicken, fluffy naan bread and refreshing mango lassi.
\n<\/p>\n

Where to drink?<\/h2>\n

To experience a traditional Chinese tea ceremony visit Zheng He Tea House (3 Jalan Kg Kuli). Starting at around RM20, you\u2019ll sample two teas and learn the art of making the perfect cuppa. For a more rough and ready approach, serve yourself one of the teas on display for less than a dollar at Low Yong Moh (32 Jalan Tukang Emas) \u2013 this dim sum spot is renowned for its steamed sticky pork buns and lotus leaf rice. It opens at 5:15am and sells out fast. Sin Hiap Hin has what every bar is trying to emulate nowadays \u2013 it\u2019s difficult to find and very vintage, with not a hint of pretension in sight. Located at 5 Jalan Jawa in the little-visited and slowly crumbling old neighbourhood of Kampung Jawa, the owners serves shots of potent rice wine flavoured with everything from lychee to ginseng to promote good health, as well as ice-cold beers. Stop by for one and you could end up staying, drinks start at around $1.<\/p>\n

Expedia compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site, such compensation may include travel and other costs<\/i>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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