Interesting Places in Melaka
Air Keroh Recreational Forest
I used to love to jog here because it has three jogging tracks and it’s really refreshing to jog with sound of the jungle. It’s located about 5 km from the Air Keroh Toll. Now they also have recreational facilities like Prehistoric Garden, Storyland, children’s playgrounds, Orang Asli Park, Deer Park, suspension bridge, observation towers, picnic spots and refreshment kiosks. Campsites, huts and cabins are also available for rental. Even by just walking round the jogging trek while listening to the sounds of the jungle and seeing the greenery will most certainly relax you.
Crocodile Farm
This is also located in Ayer Keroh, just across from the Malacca Zoo. So its not very hard to miss, just watch for the McDonalds restaurant which is just beside it. More than 200 crocodiles of various species are found here and it is said to be one of the largest in Malaysia. The crocodiles are all reared in a natural environment. There is also exciting and suspense-filled performances every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday.
Malacca Zoo
Melaka Zoo is rated the best zoo among the southern states for its wild and domestic animals in surroundings that have been set to simulate the natural habitat of the animals. The zoo also functions as a centre for wildlife research, conservation breeding and zoo education centre. Now there’s even a night safari on weekends. There is also ample parking around.
Mini Asean
This unique theme park features impressive replicas of the different types of traditional houses from ASEAN countries, namely Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. It is located near the Air Keroh Recreational Forest. Inside each house, there are various handicrafts originating from each country. There are also life-like dummies, dressed in the respective traditional costumes of the country. This theme park gives you and inside of cultural and lifestyle of Asean countries.
Mini Malaysia
Mini Malaysia like Mini Asean is a park that also portrays 13 life-sized authentic Malaysian houses from the 13 states of Malaysia. Located just next to Mini Asean. Each house is uniquely featured with the 13 state’s cultural heritage where you will find mannequins wearing the traditional costumes of each state and also some artefacts on display too. I feel its a good effort by the Melakan government as it preserves our cultural heritage as nowadays its hard to find really traditional houses around. Here is my review on Mini Malaysia, please click here Mini Snips of Malaysia at Mini Malaysia Melaka.
Melaka Bird Park
Melaka has lots of little parks that you could visit with the kids. Thats not too expensive or large that it might make you exhausted. Especially when you have toddlers with you. There is the Coral Wonderland Melaka (which is smaller than the Aquaria at KLCC), Mini Malaysia Melaka, Melaka Zoo and more.
So this time around when we went back to Melaka, I brought the little ones for an outing at the Melaka Bird Park. Here is my review on the Melaka Bird Park, Walking with the birds at Melaka Bird Park
Coral Wonderland Melaka
I happen to stumbled upon this place from friend who resides outside of Melaka. Imagine a Melaka boy don’t even know such a place exist. The Coral Wonderland Melaka can be found on the fourth floor of the Hatten Square just across the road from where we stayed, Hatten Hotel. That’s one of the reason why we stayed there. We didn’t want to brave the famous Melaka traffic jam. Keep your expectations low cause the Coral Wonderland is fairly small in contrast to the aquarium within KLCC as well as the one in Langkawi. But its alright for a start.
The entrance fee is fairly steep to some. The price is RM30 for adults and RM20 for kids. Upon stepping into the Aquarium entrance you will be greeted by what is publicised as the ‘The Longest Touch Pool in Asia. Not sure if this really is true nevertheless here you are able to touch or hold tame sea creatures such as baby sharks, puffer fish, stingray, seahorse, starfish and many more. To know more about this place, please click here. Coral Wonderland Melaka
River Cruise
Melaka River was where it all began. It was the meeting point for traders from the east and west. A few years ago the state government embarked on an effort to beautify the river. Their effort was great for tourism as now you can take a river cruise. What used to be unsightly kitchens or toilets of the houses along the river, now is beautiful buildings and little cafes. There are lots to see along this 45minute cruise. You can take the cruise from the jetty next to the Maritime Museum or from Taman Rempah in Pengkalan Rama. Click here for my review of the Melaka River Cruise, An Outing in Historical Melaka
Or visit my post Melaka River Cruise- A Revisit to see my review on the Night River Cruise.
The St. Paul’s Hill- A little climb to History
After the Malacca Sultanate Palace, we opt to go up the hill to the St. Paul Church. We start at the bottom at the Porta de Santiago. The Porta de Santiago is what’s left of the A Formosa Fort. The Porta de Santiago is the most famous historical landmarks in Melaka. And you can see by the number of people visiting the Porta de Santiago. The Porta is actually a small gate house of the fortress.
To find out more about our little climb, please click here The St. Paul’s Hill- A little climb to History
Malacca Sultanate Palace, Melaka
A beautiful replica of the original Sultan Mansur Shah’s 15th-century palace. It is build the traditional way, without any nails. According to historical records, the original was destroyed a year after the sultan ascended the throne by lightning.
The outside the building is overwhelming. The garden areas are well taken care off.
Inside it depicts some Melaka history and palace life. The three-storey museum is divided into eight chambers where you can see a variety of weaponry, decorative arts, traditional costumes, brassware, jewellery and more. Plus there are three galleries depicting famous legends through dioramas.
Please click here for my review, Malacca Sultanate Palace, Melaka
Proclamation of Independence Memorial
The Proclamation of Independence Memorial was a Dutch Colonial Mansion. It used to be the Malacca Club, a clubhouse for the British Expatriate when the British ruled Malaysia. It was later converted into the Memorial depicting the Malaysian road to Independence.
There are lots of artifact from the early Malaysia Sultanate till to date. You will see the progress of Malaysia leading to its Independence.
The first display you will see is a diorama of Proclamation of Independence at the Melaka Field. The scene where our first Prime Minister stood on an open car to the then Melaka Field, where the Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall is located now.
Click here for my review, Proclamation of Independence Memorial
Crowded But Interesting – Jonker Walk Night Market
When you are in Melaka, one of the places to visit is the Jonker Street. It is the Chinatown of Melaka. Its where many old buildings are located.You will find numerous cafes, restaurants, souvenirs, Nyonya Museums and also little Quaint Boutique Hotel. Be sure to walk the along streets including “Harmony Street” that has religious shrines or temples of many different faiths. This is what Melaka is all about. You will find a Chinese Temple just walking distance from a Muslim Mosque and an Indian Temple. And across the river there’s a Church. All living in harmony with each other.
Jonker Walk Night Market is a must visit. Visit my post at Crowded But Interesting – Jonker Walk Night Market to see my review.
A Visit to Tropical Fruit Farm Melaka
As always I was searching for something unique and educational to bring my ‘budak bandar’ kids this weekend. Some place close to Port Dickson. So we don’t spend time on the road. I’ve heard that there’s a fruit farm somewhere in Melaka. With loads of fruit trees to see. Its called the Melaka Tropical Fruit Farm in Sungai Udang.
Please visit A Visit to Tropical Fruit Farm Melaka to see my review on this Fruit Farm
NOTE: All the above information is correct at the date of publication. If you come across any changes or updates, please let us know by email and we will update the information accordingly. Thank you!
