Baba-Nonya Heritage Museum, Melaka (must see)

The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum is dedicated to the history and culture of the Peranakan Chinese-Malays, also known as the Baba-Nyonya, who are descended from early Chinese settlers in Southeast Asia. Founded by Chan Kim Lay in 1986, the museum occupies a mansion built in 1896 by Chan’s great-grandfather on Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, a street famously known as “Millionaire’s Row” for its opulent residences.

This two-story mansion showcases the prosperous lifestyle of the Baba-Nyonya community during its heyday. Visitors can admire the intricately carved woodwork decorating the doors, walls, and cabinetry, as well as antique furniture that retains its original lustre. The museum also displays elaborate porcelain, gold-leaf carvings, and various other artifacts that offer a glimpse into the past.

A particular highlight is the preserved kitchen. Traditionally standing in the heart of a Peranakan home, it was a gathering place for the women of the household. Just before entering it, look for the adjoining dining room, where blue-and-white ceramic dishes reflect the blend of Eastern and Western influences that characterizes Peranakan culture.

To visit the Wedding Room, return to the central section of the house and climb the main staircase to the upper floor. Follow the visitor route through the private residential quarters until you reach the former bedroom of the Chan family patriarch and his wife. Now arranged as the Wedding Room, it displays wedding garments and other artifacts, offering insight into the matrimonial traditions of the Baba-Nyonya community.

One of the museum’s most distinctive features is its staircase. It is located beside the central airwell, which brings light and ventilation into the interior of the house. Said to be the only staircase of its kind in Malaysia, it features a gilded railing decorated with reliefs depicting the weapons of the Eight Immortals from Daoist mythology. It also includes a lockable child-safety gate, a 19th-century adaptation of an ancient Chinese invention designed both to protect children and secure the household.