Melaka’s northern district is an interesting area where you will find numerous attractions and landmarks. Here you will find historic religious buildings, a Chinese cemetery, a memorial for Civilian Chinese Victims of WWII, the ruins of Rosary Chapel, and Melaka River Pirate Park. Take this tour to visit these fascinating sites in northern Melaka!
1) Bukit Cina Chinese Cemetery
The Bukit Cina Chinese Cemetery is located in the northeastern part of Melaka and is the oldest Chinese burial ground outside of mainland China. It has thousands of graves, some of which date back to the 17th century. The earliest grave is fairly small but is extremely old, as it is from 1622.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Rudolph.A.furtado
2) Memorial for Chinese Civilian Victims Massacred by the Japanese Army in WWII
The Memorial for Chinese Civilian Victims Massacred by the Japanese Army in WWII is located on Bukit Cina (Chinese Hill) near the old Chinese cemetery and Hang Li Po’s Well. This memorial was created to commemorate all victims of the Japanese massacre who were reburied here after WWII.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Robert Nyman
3) Hang Li Po’s Well
Situated at the foot of Bukit Cina (Chinese Hill), this well was created in 1459 by the followers of Hang Li Po, a Chinese princess and the fifth wife of Melaka's Sultan Mansur Shah. It is said that if you throw coins into the well or drink water from it, you will visit Melaka again.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Rudolph.A.furtado
4) Sam Poh Kong Temple
Dedicated to Admiral Cheng Ho, the Sam Poh Kong Temple is located very close to Hang Li Po’s Well at the foot of Bukit Cina (Chinese Hill). According to one legend, this holy place was named after a fish that supposedly saved the admiral's ship during a storm.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Vmenkov
5) St.Peter's Catholic Church
Located at the end of Jalan Bendahara, St. Peter's Catholic Church was built in 1710 during the Dutch rule of Melaka. It is the oldest Roman Catholic church in Malaysia and combines Eastern and Western architecture. Near the church you will find an alabaster statue of the Lord before the Resurrection.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Jimmy Ho
6) Kampung Hulu Mosque
The Kampung Hulu Mosque is situated at the corner of Jalan Masjid Kampung Hulu and Jalan Masjid. It was built in 1728 and is the oldest mosque in Malaysia still in use. Its multi-tiered roof is reminiscent of a pyramid. The structure's separate white minaret calls the faithful to prayers.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Vmenkov
7) Melaka River Pirate Park
The Melaka River Pirate Park is an attraction enjoyed by tourists and local families alike. The park is located along the Melaka River and features three main attractions: a ferris wheel known as Eye on Melaka, a pirate ship and a bungee trampoline. Here you can also admire the wonderful view of the river.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and jk+too
8) Ruins of Rosary Chapel
The Ruins of Rosary Chapel is a Historical Preservation Site. The chapel was built during the Portuguese Colonial Era. The Church of Rosary, or Ermida do Rosario, was a Portuguese chapel built on the former site of the Church of St. Lawrence. It fell into ruin during the Dutch occupation in 1641, and the chapel was taken over by St. Peter’s Church.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and chan kooncheng