CAR RENTAL MELAKA
Melaka (also known as Malacca) is the historical city of Malaysia. It was a former Portuguese settlement with a rich history intertwined with Chinese, Dutch, French, Portuguese, British and Indonesian influences. Talk about being multicultural! It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 due to its long history dating all the way back to the 14th century. Driving a car rental Melaka gives you unprecedented freedom to explore this beautiful town laden with historical monuments and attractions.
Melaka History in a Nutshell
Melaka was once an unassuming fishing village until Parameswara, a Hindu prince from Sumatra established his empire at the settlement. Under his regime, Melaka blossomed into a favoured port for trading ships that were making their way around the Straits of Malacca. Sandwiched strategically between China and India, and with easy access to the spice islands of Indonesia, Melaka soon became a hotspot for merchants of the East. In 1406, Cheng Ho made his famous expedition to Melaka, and thereby established Malaysia’s earliest Chinese settlement in the city. From there, the intermarriage of the local Malays and the Chinese settlers gave birth to the Baba-Nyonya (also known as Peranakan or Straits Chinese) community. The origins of the Peranakan culture is well-documented in the Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum.
The Christ Church and Dutch Square
Perhaps one of the most outstanding landmarks in Melaka is the Christ Church, built in 1753 by the Dutch to celebrate a century of Dutch occupation after wrestling control from the Portuguese. The bright red church is situated in Dutch Square, along Jalan Gereja (also known as Church Street) and is instantly recognizable from a distance. The small windmill located nearby is also a characteristic Dutch feature, a testament to Melaka’s rich colonial history.
Jonker Walk – Melaka’s Chinatown
During the Dutch occupation, Jonker Walk was populated with Dutch colonialists. After the Dutch left, the Baba-Nyonya community started to thrive in this street. It is the Chinatown street of Melaka and has rich ethnic and cultural influences that are apparent as you take a walk down the street. Local foods such as chicken rice ball, Peranakan cuisine, satay celup, mille crepe (thousand layer cake) and even familiar Western fare can be found here.
Melaka is a small town with big influences. With a car rental Melaka, you can easily conquer this historic city and take in its many flavours, sights and sounds. Book a car with us now!
