ADVERTORIAL - Property HunterAsam Pedas Fish The main ingredients of this dish comprise of fish/seafood, okra, eggplant, long green bean and tomato. This dish is cooked in asam (tamarind)

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Over 600 years of history has seen Melaka transform from what was once a fishing settlement, has now prospered into a major international trading port

along the Straits of Melaka. The historic city of Melaka has stood witness to the glory days of the Malay Sultanate and later the occupation by Portuguese forces in 1511, followed by Dutch rule in 1641 before the British finally took

over in 1824. Melaka is historically important, because not only was the declaration of independence proclaimed in Melaka when Malaya gained its

independence from the British, but Melaka was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 7th July, 2008. Being the cultural melting pot that it is, one can

experience the old charm of its streets and colourful architecture, as well as enjoy a wide range of cuisines which will make you truly spoilt for choice.

MELAKA: OLD CHARM WITH A MODERN TWIST

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Melaka’s heritage trail is the main attraction with its fascinating history and assimilation of different cultures

resulting in some unique architectural delights.

HERITAGE TRAIL

Stadhuys

The Stadhuys, which means ‘Town Hall’ in Dutch, was built by the Dutch occupants in 1650 as the office of the Dutch Governor and Deputy Governor. Situated at Laksamana Road, besides the Christ Church, it is regarded as the oldest remaining Dutch historical building in the Orient and is now home to the History and Ethnography Museum. This massive red building displays all the features of Dutch colonial architecture which include substantial solid doors and louvered windows.

Christ Church

Christ Church is an 18th-century Anglican Church in the city. It is the oldest functioning Protestant church in Malaysia and is within the jurisdiction of the Lower Central Archdeaconry of the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia. Originally painted white, the church and the neighbouring Stadthuys building was painted red in 1911 and this distinctive colour scheme has remained the hallmark of Malacca’s Dutch-era buildings since.

Hereen Street & Jonker Street

Heeren Street was for the “gentlemen” or “masters” in the upper crust of society. Jonker Street, on the other hand, was named after a place for “young noblemen”. Jonker Street was once renowned for its antique shops. However over the years, it has turned into a clothing and crafts outlet and lined with restaurants and lifestyle cafés. The best part of Jonker Street is the night market on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays that sells everything from tasty treats to cheap keepsakes. Meanwhile, Heeren Street may not be as hectic as Jonker Street where the tourists throng to, but Heeren Street offers a more historic, old-world charm and provides amazing sights and stories.

Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

The ‘Straits Chinese’, also called ‘Baba Nyonya’, are Chinese of noble descent who have adopted and merged the Malay culture with theirs upon settling in Melaka. This has been a gradual process lasting over 400 years since the great Chinese explorer Admiral Cheng Ho first brought Chinese traders to Melaka. Over the centuries, the Baba Nyonyas have developed a distinct and fascinating culture that is unique

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to Malaysia’s west coast, particularly Melaka.

St. Francis Xavier Church

Located at Jalan Laksamana, this church was built in 1856, in honour of St. Francis Xavier, a prominent 16th-century Catholic missionary. This twin-spired neo-gothic structure was built on the site of an old Portuguese church by a French priest, Father Farvé and the church’s finishing touches were completed in 1859 by Father Allard, with the present-day presbytery built in 1874. The church was believed to be modelled after the Cathedral of St. Peter in Southern France, Montpellier. To date, St Francis Xavier Church still serves its function as a Catholic church, with regular mass services being held from time to time. Having been around for more than a century, the church’s structure now leans slightly to the left.

Kampung Morten

Kampung Morten is located about a 15-minute walk north of the historic city centre. The village is named after a British land commissioner, J. F. Morten, during the British Malaya. The area has since evolved to become a tourist attraction since it was declared a heritage village under Malacca’s Preservation and Conservation Enactment in 1989. Villa Sentosa found within Kampung Morten is popularly known as ‘The Living Museum”. Villa Sentosa exhibits a unique interior design

apart from having a collection of Malay traditional wear, musical instruments and antique furniture.

Porta De Santiago @A’ Famosa Fort

Porta de Santiago is the sole surviving gateway into A’ Famosa (the Famous One), a huge fortress built in 1511 out of dismantled mosques and tombs, commissioned by the Portuguese using slave labour. It was once part of a crucial structure used by the Portuguese to maintain its colonial foothold in the Far East. The Fort is now among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in South-East Asia.

St. Paul’s Hill

Atop St. Paul’s Hill sits the St. Paul’s Church which was built in 1520 by a Portuguese trader named Duarte Coelho. Formally named as ‘Nosa Senhora’ which means Our Lady of the Hill, it was a major chapel for the Portuguese. After the Dutch took over, they renamed the chapel St Paul’s Church and worshipped there for over a century, until they had finished building Christ Church at the bottom of the hill, after which they abandoned St Paul’s. After stints as a lighthouse and as a gunpowder storeroom, St Paul’s fell into decay and has never been restored.

Melaka Sultanate Palace

The Melaka Sultanate Palace is a life-sized replica of Sultan Mansur Shah’s palace, built based on ancient records found in the Malay Annals. The Melaka Sultanate Palace is unique, as it offers a rare glimpse of an ancient Malay kingdom which once flourished in Melaka. An interesting fact about Sultan Mansur Shah’s seven-tiered palace is that it was built entirely without nails and supported with carved, wooden pillars and featured a copper and zinc roof.

Portugese Square

The Portuguese Settlement is home to the Kristang community in Ujong Pasir. This small community of around 1,000 people are descendants from early Portuguese settlers. Originally known as Saint John’s village, it grew to become one of Melaka’s main tourist attractions, improving the standard of living of its villagers. Today, the settlement which is sometimes called Mini Lisbon, comprises a few streets with names like D’Alberquerque, Sequeira, Eredia, D’Aranjo and Texeira. At its heart is the Portuguese Square (Medan Portugis), which comprises a courtyard with a number of seafood restaurants, a couple of bars and a small museum.



Nyonya Kuih

Nyonya Kuih – kuih is a term for Malay cakes – are bite-sized desserts that are colourful, usually taken as a snack. The Nyonya kuih comes in different shapes, colours, textures and designs. Some are steamed or boiled, some baked or fried but most are sweet and savoury.

Where: Baba Charlie’s Nyonya Cakes, Bibik Ong @Ujong Pasir, Yummy Garden Food Court

Asam Pedas Fish

The main ingredients of this dish comprise of fish/seafood, okra, eggplant, long green bean and tomato. This dish is cooked in asam (tamarind) juice with chili and different spices. This is another signature dish of the state.

Where: Asam Pedas Pasar Borong Taman Merdeka, Amy Heritage Nyonya Cruisine, Asam Pedas Claypot Kota Laksamana

Melaka Cendol

Ice Cendol is a simple dessert that is very popular among locals and tourists,

especially on a hot day. This is a traditional dessert made of shaved ice, coconut milk, green starched noodles with pandan flavoring and palm sugar. Other ingredients such as red beans, glutinous rice, grass jelly, creamed corn, might also be included.

Where: Aunty Koh’s Cendol @Jln Batang Tiga, Jonker 88, The Kappan HouseWhere: Aunty Koh’s Cendol @Jln Batang Tiga, Jonker 88, The Kappan House

Coconut Shake

The best way to beat the heat in Melaka’s sweltering weather is to have a cup of coconut shake. It is a concoction of coconut water, its flesh, ice cube and vanilla ice cream blended together in a mixer. The cool, sweet and creamy aftertaste will leave you feeling refreshed.

Where: Klebang Coconut Shake, Batu Berendam Coconut Shake

Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori chicken is a popular Indian dish consisting of roasted chicken prepared with yogurt and spices. The name comes from the type of cylindrical clay oven, tandoor, in which the dish is traditionally prepared. The naan, a leavened, oven-baked flatbread, compliments the flavour from the tandoori.

Where: Pak Putra Tandoori & Naan Restaurant, Restaurant D’Tandoori House

Wantan Mee

This dish is prepared with noodles garnished with leafy vegetables and sliced pork while the broth and dumplings are served in a separate bowl. Melaka’s wantan noodle is distinguished by the noodles’ pale appearance and readily served with chilli sauce.

Where: Jalan Bunga Raya, Jalan Bukit Cina, Tua Kor Wantan Mee

Mille Crêpe

These mille crepes are as synonymous to Melaka as Nyonya food itself. Mille crêpe is a French cake made of many crêpe layers. The word mille means “a thousand”, implying the many layers of crêpe. The crepes are thin and crisp at the sides, and the texture light, creamy and moist.

Where: Nadeje (Plaza Mahkota, Jaya 99 & Mahkota Parade)

MELAKA FOOD GUIDEFood lovers will definitely be delighted with what Melaka has to offer. Food is one of the biggest highlights of the city, with an array of cuisines, all thanks to its diverse culture. Well-known for the delectable Peranakan cuisine, there are plenty of other dishes not to missed.

Chicken Rice Ball

Melaka’s signature dish has got to be the chicken rice ball. The rice is boiled in chicken soup with other seasonings. When cooked, it is rolled into a ball that gives its unique look and texture. The rice balls are fragrant and savoury and the chicken tender.

Where: Chung Wah Coffee Shop, Huang Chang Chicken Rice Restaurant, Ee Ji Ban (halal)

Nyonya Laksa

This dish has many variations but either way, every Malaysian laksa is highly appreciated and cherished by both locals and tourists. The laksa is pungent, rich and well flavoured from its spices, chilies and its broth, which is usually prepared using chicken and prawns.

Where: Juat Lye Melaka, Nancy’s Kitchen, Yung Lai Siang, 486 Baba Low

Satay Celup

Another popular must-try is the satay celup. This is a dish where an assortment of raw and semi-cooked seafood, meat (including raw meat) and vegetables on skewers are dunked into a hot boiling pot of satay gravy.

Where: Capitol Satay, McQuek’s Satay Celup, Ban Lee Siang

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FRIDAY

Evening Start your Melaka exploration by surrounding yourself in the colours and chaos of Jonker Walk Night Market. Opens only during the weekends, this street turned night market offers an endless range of food, souvenirs,

antiques and crafts. Start by making your way from the south end of the market near the bridge and work your way up, past local snacks, drinks of all kinds, trinkets and everything else that you would normally see in a night market. If you’re lucky enough, you might even stumble upon street

performances, stunt shows and other daredevil acts. You will also find a courtyard with sculptures of animals and the statue of famous local bodybuilding champ, Dr. Gan Boon Leong who is also an advocate of turning Jonker Street into a highly touristic area.

SATURDAY

Morning Start the morning by renting a bicycle and leisurely cycle up towards the Dutch Square. The Dutch Square is the city’s main highlight, surrounded by vibrant terracotta-red hued buildings notably Christ Church and The Stadhuys as well as a central ornate marble fountain. You will also be greeted by colourful, kitschy, music-blaring trishaws, all lined-up and ready to take tourists on a tour around the city. Cycle past the bridge and make a stop at a local eatery, Chung Wah Chicken Rice Ball for a hearty breakfast.

This famous kopitiam (local coffee shop) is notorious for the long queue of hungry tourists but if you wait long enough to finally get a seat, you will be served with ball-shaped rice and steamed chicken with soy sauce. Next, explore Heeren Street to experience the nostalgic ambience of old shop houses adorned with ornately decorated façades dating back to the mid-19th and early 20th century. A number of these buildings have been restored into galleries, museums, souvenir shops, cafes and boutique hotels. Learn more about Melaka’s history at Baba & Nyonya

Heritage Museum. Tours of this lavish townhouse will take you back in time to the glory days of Melaka’s Peranakan population.

Afternoon

If the afternoon weather gets to you, then head over to the nearest shopping malls, Dataran Pahlawan and Mahkota Parade to cool off while doing a round of shopping. Otherwise, head over to Jonker Street for the best eateries. Look out for Jonker 88 to enjoy aromatic laksas or a refreshing bowl of cendol. Head back past the Dutch Square and off towards Porta de Santiago (A’ Famosa). This iconic landmark was once part of a grand fortress built by the Portuguese during their occupation of Melaka in 1511.

You can spend the afternoon museum-hopping as Melaka is also known to have the most number of museums in Malaysia. Located within close proximity, museums worth visiting are the History and Ethnography Museum (the Stadhuys), The Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum and the Malaysia Architectural Museum. Another attraction several metres downriver from the Dutch Square is the Melaka Maritime

Museum. The museum itself is a replica of the ‘Flora De La Mar’, a Portuguese ship that sank off the coast of the Straits of Melaka. The museum exhibits an abundance of model ships from different time periods, ancient currency and everything you need to know about the trading history in Melaka.

Evening

Before heading out for another round of window-shopping at Jonker Street, grab a taxi to the Portuguese Square for an authentic Portuguese cuisine. Also known as ‘Mini Lisbon’, this square is located in a small settlement, home to Melaka’s Eurasian community, descended from marriages that took place between colonial Portuguese and the locals. Try to time your arrival at or around dusk to enjoy the sunset view. As for the food, there is much to choose from the large number of different restaurants available. You will also get to enjoy cultural performances of music and dance staged by the community. Spend the rest of the evening at Jonker Street and after, if you’re not yet ready to go back to the hotel, hit the sky lounge at Alto. Sit back and relax while sipping a mix of crafted cocktails, delicious light bites and a variety of fine wines.

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Melaka’s rich culture and history have made it a popular choice among travellers in Malaysia. There are so many places to explore and flavours to sample in this UNESCO world heritage site. The best time to visit Melaka is during the weekend and this itinerary weaves together the highlights of Melaka in a single weekend.

SUNDAY

Morning Kick-off Sunday morning by heading to Jalan Hang Lekir (off Jonker Street) for the Sunday Morning Flea Market. This is a great place for antique lovers and collectors to find old treasures and haggle for a bargain or two. Open every Sunday morning until 12 noon, you can find a variety of antiques, collectibles, ornaments, old coins and currency, posters, paintings, vinyl records, religious relics and old magazines.

To do next is café-hopping. There are plenty of lifestyle cafés in Melaka that provides good food, and great ambience. Check out these coffee havens for that dose of caffeine and sweet treats:

The Daily Fix Café Address: 55, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia Opening Hours: 10AM - 5:30PM

Calanthe Art Café Address: Jalan Hang Kasturi, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia Opening Hours: 9AM - 11PM

Backlane Coffee Address: 129, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia Opening Hours: 11AM - 11:30PM

Mods Café

Address: 14, Jalan Tokong, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia Opening Hours: 10AM - 6PM

Kaya Kaya Café

Address: 32, Jalan Tukang Emas, Melaka, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia Opening Hours: 8AM - 6PM

Teddy Bear Café

Address: Lot F3-021, F3-022, Level 3, Terminal Pahlawan, Bandar Hilir, Jalan Merdeka, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia Opening Hours: 10AM - 10PM

Spend the rest of the afternoon reflecting on the whole trip in Melaka while taking a leisurely stroll along the Melaka River while taking in the relaxing vibe of the city and capturing photos of building façade painted top to bottom with mural art showcasing the Malaysian culture.



TIPS FOR EAST MALAYSIANS TRAVELLING TO MELAKAThere aren’t any direct flights to Melaka, but you can always touch down at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Sepang or Senai International Airport, Johor Bahru then take an express bus to Melaka at an affordable price. If you’re travelling from Kota Kinabalu, the price for flights to Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru starts at MYR 109.00. Flight time from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru takes about 2 hours 25 minutes and 2 hours 15 minutes respectively. Average price for flights from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur starts at MYR 99.00 with an average flight time of about 1 hour 40 minutes. You can also get a flight to Johor Bahru, price starts at MYR 79.00 and flight time will take about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Beyond tourism, Melaka is growing into a global economic hub. The future landscape of Melaka will boast multi-billion dollar developments and innovations in:

Economy & Infrastructure

• RM40 billion Melaka Gateway Project

Southeast Asia’s largest marina with theme park, marine museum and luxury residences

• Mestika Heritage Island Twin man-made islands with golf course, theme park, trade centre and heritage village

• 66-acres Hatten Metropolitan

Mixed development with lifestyle, corporate, trade and commercial components

Arts & Culture

• Melaka International Convention Centre (MICC) World-class auditorium with 6,000 pax max. capacity

• Impression Melaka

Iconic stage show helmed by renowned director Zhang Yimou

• Han Academy

A self-sustaining education-based community

Tourism & Transport

• Melaka International Airport Increased international flights, infrastructure upgrade

• High-Speed Rail

Shortened travel time between KL, Melaka and Singapore

• Upcoming Marina and Jetty Facilities Boosting the city’s accessibility

THE HISTORIC CITY The UNESCO World Heritage City of Melaka is renowned for its history as an international seaport. Today, the state has evolved into a melting pot of cultures with a fascinating mix of ethnicities which together, define the character of this multi-cultural city-state.

BURGEONING TOURISM SECTOR Recording more than 15.7 million tourist arrivals in 2015 alone, Melaka’s tourist numbers have increased more than 200% since 2006 and with that follows the growing demand for quality hotel accommodation and top-notch entertainment.

UPCOMING MEGA-DEVELOPMENTS The globalisation of Melaka’s Trade, Commerce and Investment sectors is imminent with the upcoming RM40 billion Melaka Gateway Project, the 66-acre Hatten Metropolis and Mestika Island International Trade Hub which will harness foreign capital and investments while elevating Melaka into a global platform.

GLOBAL ACCESSIBILITY Melaka is ideally situated between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and capitalises on the traffic flow from the two metropolises. The upcoming Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail and the extensive upgrades to the Melaka International Airport will ensure a significant influx of global audiences.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE Solidifying Melaka’s economic progress is its latest international trade and tourism agreement with Guangdong province. Bilateral ties between the two states open up trade routes and increase access to the vast China market and vice versa. This move is calculated to catapult Melaka’s coastal city centre into a world trade hub.

ADVANCED SOCIO-ECONOMICS Melaka has more than seven international tertiary education institutions which secure a steady flow of overseas students entering the State per annum. Medical Tourism also plays a vital role in driving up international

arrivals with seven internationally acclaimed government and private hospitals within the vicinity.

SAFETY AND SECURITY Melaka’s racial harmony and secure government reflect the nation’s civil and political stability which provides maximum assurance for tourists and investors alike.

PULAU MELAKA – NEW TRADE & TOURISM HUB Pulau Melaka is a man-made island just 5 minutes’ drive from Melaka’s central business district and just 10 minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Zone. This is where Melaka’s famous attractions - the Floating Mosque and Wildlife Theatre Melaka are situated. Merging the ambiance of an island with the convenience of the nearby urban city centre, the value of Pulau Melaka is set to increase with more tourism based projects mushrooming in the area.

MELAKA AT A GLANCE Source: www.statistics.gov.my

Area (km²) : 1,652 Population : 880,000 (1.5% average annual population growth rate) GDP (per capita, RM, 2014) : 38,766 (7.6% growth rate)

Workforce (‘000) : 402.4 Unemployment Rate (2015) : 1.0%

Tourist Numbers (2015) Total : 15.7 million Foreign : 12.2 million Local : 3.5 million No. of Hospitals : 7

No. of Tertiary Education Institutions : 7

Green World Ambassador 2014 The Green Organisation, United Kingdom

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MALAYSIA’S NEXT TOP SEAPORT AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE HUB

TOP 8 REASONS WHY MELAKA IS THE LATEST INVESTMENT HOTSPOT



HARBOUR CITY The Catalyst for Pulau Melaka

Multi award-winning development – HARBOUR CITY - is already creating significant buzz in the local property scene. Industry experts are calling this one of the most viable investments in Malaysia’s Southern Region.

Inspired by Melaka’s historic past as an international seaport, the iconic project, shaped like a vast luxury cruise ship, is home to Malaysia’s first 500,000 sq. ft. indoor and outdoor Ocean Kingdom Water Theme Park, a 6-storey aquatic-themed mall offering 800 retail units and 3 international hotel blocks.

The 33-storey marine-themed holiday destination and winner of Best Integrated Development at the iProperty People’s Choice Awards 2016, just recently unveiled Phase 2 - Harbour City Resort Suites.

Harbour City Resort Suites – A New Icon

More than just a resort, Harbour City Resort Suites offers one-of-a-kind experiences and premium resort-style living with world-class facilities, beachside ambiance and stunning sea-views. Designed as a sky-resort with 18 luxurious unit types measuring from 470 to 2,200 sq. ft., guests will enjoy seamless hospitality for that perfect island getaway.

Anchoring the project is its integration within the vibrant mixed-use development of Harbour City, a 6-acre, self-sustaining tourist-centric hub. Harbour City Resort Suites will capitalise on the tourist numbers drawn in by the Theme Park while directing the flow of guests towards the Shopping Mall. Adding further to its viability is its strategic location on Pulau Melaka.

Pulau Melaka is a renowned tourist hotspot. Just 5 minutes drive to the city centre, the unique man-made island is home to the famous Floating

Mosque, Wildlife Theatre and now the towering icon known as Harbour City. Moreover, the value of area is set to increase with upcoming neighbouring developments such as the RM40 billion Melaka Gateway Project and the 66-acre Hatten Metropolis.

Leveraging on Melaka’s recent trade agreement with Guangdong Province, the upcoming KL-Singapore High Speed Rail and the new upgrade and added flights to Melaka International Airport, Pulau Melaka is poised right in the middle of this rampant growth of the historic city of Melaka.

Harbour City Resort Suites with its strategic location, unique concept and seamless integration within Harbour City, the acclaimed City of Amusement, is indeed a game-changer in Melaka’s property scene. As an investment, the project offers attractive Secured Returns Plans combined with long-term property value appreciation for that all-important security and high yields for savvy investors.

FAST FACTS

Property Type : Resort Suites Acres of Development : 6 acres Total units : 637 Lot size : 470 - 2200 sqft Price Range : RM 1280 – 1512 / sqft Tenure : Leasehold - 2110 Gross Development Value : RM1.8 billion (Harbour City) Launch Date : 14 May 2016 Est. date of completion : 2nd Quarter, 2019

Amenities• Sky lobby overlooking the water park podium • All day dining restaurant • Multi-function meeting rooms • 40m infinity pool, wading pool, family jacuzzi & swimming pool

Facilities • 360° rooftop view• Pool Bar and Sky Lounge• Gym and Spa

For more information, log on to www.harbourcity.com.my or call the hotline at +6012 719 1818.

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Discover and learn more about what’s coming up in Melaka. Visit and get updates on the

next MELAKA TOUR!


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ADVERTORIAL - Property HunterAsam Pedas Fish The main ingredients of this dish comprise of fish/seafood, okra, eggplant, long green bean and tomato. This dish is cooked in asam (tamarind)