Culture

Malacca is rich in cultural sights and attractions, because of its history as an important trade route in Asia in the early centuries. Over time, many people from all around the world, including Portugal, China and India arrived in Melaka and settled here, forming the many cultural groups in the city today. Visitors and tourists will find exploring the cultural landmarks in the state to be an enjoyable and enlightening activity.

The Portuguese Square lies in the center of the Portuguese Settlement in Malacca, located 3 km away from town in Ujong Pasir. The people that live in this seaside settlement are descended from the first Portuguese colonists in Melaka, blending with locals with inter-marriages over time to form a distinct Eurasian ethnic group in Malaysia. The square is also called the 'Mini Lisbon' which refers to another town in Portugal.

These Portuguese Eurasians, also known as the Kristang people, speak a creole that incorporates many archaic Indonesian and Portuguese words, in addition to the national language of Malaysia. The square has a collection of seafood restaurants, lively pubs, souvenir stalls and a small museum for visitors and tourists to explore. The Portuguese Square is only truly happening during the weekends, when traditional Portuguese dances, such as the Branyo, will be held by the community dressed in their cultural costumes. Live bands entertain guests with music as the smell of freshly baked seafood wafts in the air, making the square a popular place to dine for food and relax among visitors to Malacca.

The Kristang people, who are mostly Roman Catholics, celebrate an annual festive period that pays tribute to their patron saints, open for visitors and tourists to enjoy in the square. Festa San Juang, or Feast of St John, begins with a candlelit procession from St John's Hill all the way to the Portuguese settlement where a large fire is lit and celebrations in song, food and dance begin. The festival closes with Festa San Pedro, or Feast of St Peter, where the community celebrates their traditional fishing industry and activity by blessing boats, folk songs, traditional games and boat decorating competitions. Over the years, this event has become a major tourist attraction in Melaka.

The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is regarded as the oldest and one of the most ornate Buddhist temples in Malaysia, having been established since 1646. With its architectural styles incorporating designs from Fujian and Guangdong craftsmen from Southern China, the temple is covered with fine sculptures, carvings, murals and motifs, earning it a UNESCO award for outstanding architectural restoration to a heritage building.

Cheng Hoon Teng, which means 'Temple of the Clear Clouds', was built by a Chinese Kapitan for the Chinese community in Malacca. The temple was also used as a civic center and court of justice in addition to its religious functions. Inside the temple, there are many prayer halls that pay homage to various Taoist and Buddhist deities, with altars and stone inscriptions adorning different rooms. Some believe that a large stone tablet here was inscribed with words from Admiral Cheng Ho, a famous admiral and explorer from China, indicating his visit to Melaka sometime in the early centuries. Today, the temple provides a place to visit for admiring Chinese architectural design and learning about the historical and cultural roots of the Chinese community in Malacca.