Bukit Cina Chinese Cemetery, Melaka

Bukit Cina Chinese Cemetery in Melaka stands as the largest Chinese cemetery outside of China, spanning an area of 820,000 square feet (250,000 square meters). This historic site, dating back to the 15th century, offers a peaceful, verdant escape amidst the bustling urban landscape of Malacca. The hillside cemetery, with over 12,000 graves, includes burials from the Middle Ages.

The history of Bukit Cina is intertwined with the arrival of Hang Li Po, the daughter of a Chinese Ming Emperor, who was sent to marry Sultan Mansur Shah of Malacca in the mid-15th century. The couple resided on this hill, which became known as Bukit Cina, or Chinese Hill. Although the estate incorporated some Malaysian elements, it predominantly reflected Chinese culture due to the presence of the princess and her 500-person entourage. Following the end of Mansur Shah’s reign, Portuguese missionaries razed the forested hill in 1581 to establish a monastery.

The site was officially designated as a Chinese cemetery by the Kapitan Cina, a Dutch-appointed official, in 1685. However, burials had already commenced with members of Hang Li Po’s entourage and a notable warrior who died during the conflict between the Portuguese and Indonesian Acehnese invaders. Over the centuries, thousands of Chinese who passed away in Malaysia were interred here.

By the 20th century, the cemetery had fallen into disuse and became overgrown. In 1984, a local government proposal to develop housing and commercial property in Bukit Cina met with significant public opposition. Hundreds of Chinese Malaysians protested to protect their ancestral heritage, ultimately preserving the cemetery.

Today, Bukit Cina serves as a public park, with forested paths popular for walking and jogging among the medieval graves. The site also features a Chinese World War II memorial, temples, and wells built by Sultan Mansur Shah. Among these is the well-known Hang Li Po Well, originally constructed for the princess and now functioning as a public wishing well.