Malacca
  - Land Steeped in History

    Malacca is a historic city located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, about 147 Km south of Kuala Lumpur, a state hailed by historians as the place where Malaysia's rich history can be traced. Malacca spans 1,658 sq.km, divided into Central Malacca, Alor Gajah and Jasin. It was in Malacca that the first Malay Sultanate was born; it was Malacca that became the focus of the first colonial activity in the East; and it was Malacca that first received the news of Malaysia's independence. 
       
  Malacca was founded by an exiled prince from Sumatra, Parameswara, in 1400. It thrived as a port-of-call to many a ship and merchant from China, India, Arab and South America. In 1511, it fell to the hands of the Protuguese followed by the Dutch in 1641 after a fierce battle. In 1795, Malacca was given to the British to prevent it falling to the French when the Netherlands was captured during the French Revolution. It was returned to the Dutch in 1818 under the Treaty of Vienna but was later exchanged by the British for Bencoleen, Sumatra. With independence in 1957, Malacca was restored to Malaysians. 
   
  The erstwhile conquerors of Malacca have left their own indelible mark for posterity. A walk along the narrow streets of the city will be a memorable experience for there will always be something to remind the visitor of the significant events in the checkered history of Malacca.  
  HISTORIC   PLACES      
       
    Famosa - The hallmark of Malacca. Built by the Portuguese in 1511 as a fortress, it sustained severe structural damage during the Dutch Invasion. The Dutch had set to destroy it but timely intervention by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1808 saved what remains of A Famosa today. 
       
 

Malacca's Sultanate Palace
Built based on the description and reference to the palace in 'Sejarah Melayu'
( the Malay Annals), the wooden replica houses the Cultural Museum of Malacca. Situated at the foot of St. Paul's Hill, it is the only Malay palace from Malacca's glorious past built with such detail and refinement. 

   
    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. On display daily are fine traditional bridal costumes and relics from Malacca's glorious past. 
       
  Cheng Hoon Teng's Temple - The oldest Chinese temple in the country. It was built in 1646 with materials shipped out of China. Fine workmanship is evident in the ornately decorated mythological figures, carvings, and lacquer work inside the temple. 

Sam Po Kong Temple - Dedicated to Admiral Cheng Ho, the temple was named after a fish that miraculously saved the admirals ship from sinking after it had been hit by a storm enroute to Malacca from China. The fish mysteriously placed itself against a damaged hull preventing the ship from taking on water. 

  Maritime Museum - The Museum is constructed after 'Flor De La Mar', the Portuguese ship that sank off the coast of Malacca on its way to Portugal. With its hull laden with invaluable treasures sized from Malacca, the ship was doomed from existence had it not for the efforts to revive its symbolic significance to Malacca's heritage.