Malacca, Malaysia

Malacca is a quiet seaside city located on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia facing the Straits of Malacca, about 147 km from Kuala Lumpur. Malacca is a wonderful repository of its cultural heritage. Its colonial past is evident in its Portuguese architecture, where as on the streets, Chinese influence is most visible. Most of the businessmen here are Chinese. Over the centuries, the Chinese and local Malay cultures in Malacca intertwined, eventually producing a completely unique society-a mosaic of different cultures. Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum: The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum is the ancestral home of three generations of a Straits-born Chinese Baba family. The building is now converted into a stunning museum that preserves the unique legacy of the Babas. The Babas combine Chinese and Malay culture, a result of marriages between early Chinese settlers and local Malay women. Over the years, a distinct culture called the Baba Nyonya or Peranakan culture emerged. Padang Pahlwan, Bandar Hilir: A sound and light show is held at Padang Pahlwan, Bandar Hilir, which brings alive the 600 years of history of Malacca. The Stadthuys: Built in 1650 as the official residence of Dutch Governors and their officers, the edifice is a fine example of Dutch architecture. Preserved in its original structure and form, it now houses the Historic Museum and Ethnography Museum. The Malacca Zoo: The open-habitat zoo sprawls over 22 hectares and has been rated as one of the best in Malaysia. It is home to the rare and endangered Sumatran Rhinoceros as well as many other animals indigenous to Southeast Asia.
Mini Malaysia: A stupendous theme complex to enable visitors to view the traditional houses of the 13 states in Malaysia on a single visit. The complex displays life-size authentic houses of Malaysia crafted by master builders. Mini ASEAN: A unique theme park conceived as a summary of the prominent cultural elements of the countries that make up ASEAN (Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Brunei).Butterfly Farm: One of the world's most comprehensive butterfly and insect farms, with well over two hundred local species, including the rare Raja Brooke and Birdwing butterflies. The farm also possesses an extensive collection of insect specimens.Crocodile Farm: One of the largest crocodile farms in the country. There are more than a hundred species found here, including Albino and humpbacked crocodiles. The farm is landscaped to recreate the reptiles' natural environment. Pulau Besar: An ideal place for those seeking sandy beaches, clear blue waters, the sun and sea front chalets on stilts. The island is an excellent resort for swimming, fishing, picnicking and snorkeling. Bukit China: It was the official settlement of the Chinese entourage that arrived with Princess Hang Li Poh. She was sent to Malacca by the Emperor to marry the sultan to mark the advent of diplomatic relationship between Malacca and China. The entourage stayed on this settlement until Portuguese occupation in 1511. Today, Bukit China is the largest Chinese cemetry outside China with many of the tombs dating back to Ming Dynasty.