BUTTERFLY & REPTILE SANCTUARY IN MALACCA

Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary is a tourist attraction in Ayer Keroh, about 15km northeast of Malacca town. Also known as Taman Rama Rama, it is home to a collection of animals ranging from beautiful butterflies to snakes, lizards, crocodiles, koi fish and even a pair of gorgeous golden leopards.

Spread across an 11ha jungle area, the complex is part secondary jungle and part landscaped park. The well-maintained sanctuary was opened in 1991 and is divided into five sections: the Koi River Valley, Butterfly Garden, Reptile Aviary, Wild Photo Lane and Nature’s Art Centre.

Butterfly Garden

First up is the walk-through Butterfly Garden, the 

Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary’s premier attraction. It is a place where hundreds of butterflies, simply bursting with colours, fly freely. 

The garden has more than 20 different species of butterflies, including the Black and White Helen, Malayan Birdwing, and the Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing (Malaysia’s National Butterfly, named after Sir James Brooke, the ‘Raja’ (King) of Sarawak).

Koi River Valley

The Koi River Valley is undoubtedly the most serene section of the park. Here hundreds of colourful carp swim around in the beautifully landscaped ponds, complete with miniature waterfalls and surrounded by tropical plants. Check out the 250m-long canopy walk: the sights here make for great souvenir photos.

Opened in October 2008, Wild Photo Lane is another great place for souvenir photos with the animals of Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary: here you can take up-close-and-personal shots with the Burmese python, red-tailed boa, giant green iguana and more.

Reptile Aviary

Also be sure to visit the Reptile Aviary where snakes such as boas, pythons, vipers and cobras can be found at the Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary. Check out the giant Burmese python and the 20ft reticulated python; non-snake lovers had better watch out for the long-nose whip snakes (with their slender twig-like bodies and green scales) camouflaged in the leaves of trees in this aviary. 

Just past the lizards exhibit you can see a small closed-off section of the park where crocodiles live: they look pretty lazy and it seems like the only movements you see are when they move their heads. Also in this section is a cage with a pair of golden leopards. They are a gorgeous duo and feeding time is obviously a sight to see.

Did You Know

Ayer Keroh is filled with tourist attractions, including the Taman Mini Malaysia & ASEAN, Melaka Zoo and more; however the Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary remains one of its most popular attractions. The complex is set opposite Melaka Zoo, the second largest zoo in the country, and nearby the Ayer Keroh Recreational Forest. 

The park also has a forestry museum and paved jungle trails and a picnic area. Reptiles are placed within cages to ensure visitors’ safety. From Malacca town, you can get to Ayer Keroh either by bus or taxi

Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary

Opening Hours: 08:30 – 17:30 everyday 

Address: Lebuh Ayer Keroh, 75450. 

Tel: +606 232 0033 

BUKIT CINA MELAKA

Bukit Cina is the ancestral burial ground of Malacca’s Chinese community. Also known as Chinese Hill, it is the largest and oldest Chinese graveyard outside of China itself with over 12,500 graves. Although it is primarily a graveyard for early Chinese settlers, the cemetery has about 20 Muslim tombs, too.

The oldest grave in Bukit Cina is that of Tin Kap, the first Chinese kapitan (a mediatory position created by the Dutch East India Company which made it possible for them to rule the various ethnic communities). These days the 20ha hill is chiefly used as a jogging track.5

History

The burial ground’s fame began with a marriage: Until the 15th century Chinese contact with the Malay Peninsula was vague; then in 1949, Emperor Yung Lo sent his envoy, Admiral Cheng Ho, to establish commercial relations with Malacca.

Instituting a promising settlement-with-vassal relationship, Sultan Mansur Shah of Malacca married the Ming emperor’s daughter, Princess Hang Liu to seal relations between the two countries.

The Ming Bride

According to Malay history the marriage of the sultan to the daughter of the Emperor resulted in a dramatic influx of Chinese settlers because when the princess arrived she brought along a sizeable retinue that included 500 handmaidens.

The Ming Bride set up home on Bukit Cina along with her vast entourage and the hill has been a Chinese-dominated area ever since. Later on, the two adjoining hills became the burial ground for Chinese merchants.

The King’s Well

These early Chinese residents were the ones who dug up the well behind the temple. Also called the King’s Well, it served as an important water supply for the inhabitants of Bukit Cina.

As a result it was often seen as a target for invading forces who sought to poison the well in an effort to take over the city. The Dutch protected it by enclosing it within a wall, the ruins of which still remain.

Poh San Teng Temple

To the left of the well, at the foot of Bukit Cina, is the Poh San Teng Temple. It was built in 1795 and dedicated to Admiral Cheng Ho; inside the temple are images of the Taoist entity Dabo Gong and Kuan Yin.

Legal Troubles

Since 1984 a bitter legal battle has been going on regarding the fate of Bukit Cina. When protests came after authorities announced plans to develop the area into a cultural and sports centre, the government alleged that the cemetery’s trustees owed over two million dollars for rental arrears. Civil authorities claimed that the tax exemption over the years had been a ‘clerical error’.

Outraged, the cemetery’s trustees, and members of the Chinese community, flatly refused to pay and the fate of the burial ground remains up in the air till this day.

BABA NYONYA HERITAGE MUSEUM IN MALACCA

At the beginning of the 16th century, merchants and entrepreneurs were lured to Malacca’s shores due to stories of the city’s burgeoning success and wealth. In particular the city saw an influx of Chinese traders who arrived in droves in an effort to escape Manchu rule. These entrepreneurs went on to marry local Malay women – descendents of these marriages were known as Peranakan or ‘Straits-born Chinese’.

Their relative success resulted in these expatriate merchants becoming the principal wealth catalysts of the thriving city. The ‘Babas’ (male Sino-Malays) flaunted their affluence by purchasing Dutch townhouses and transforming them into out-and-out palaces. The interiors of these homes were opulent and stuffed to the tee with Dutch-influenced fixtures including hand-painted tiles and Victorian lamps.

Makanan Peranakan

Yet Peranakan culture as a whole is largely defined by its cuisine – makanan (food) Nyonya. Malaysians laud it as one their major food heritages and Malacca’s culture is irrevocable defined by it. An amalgamation of Malay and Chinese traditions, Nyonya cuisine comprises dishes with out-of-the-ordinary vegetables, curries thickened by coconut milk and sauces that are delightfully pungent. Noteworthy though is the social etiquette of eating – locals use their fingers, not chopsticks, to eat – a fact that belies their Chinese ancestral roots and establishes Nyonya culture as one of Malaysia’s veritable legacies.

Heritage House

Located at No. 48-50 along Jalan Tun Cheng Lock in Malacca, the Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum is actually a collection of three beautifully restored houses arranged to look like a typical 19th-cenutry Baba-Nyonya residence. Excellent examples of Chinese-Palladian style, these townhouses, built in 1896, were transformed into a traditional Peranakan museum in later years; connected by a common covered footway, the museum features hand-painted tiles, elaborately carved teakwood outer swing doors and a sturdier internal door which provides extra security. Framed by Greco-Roman columns, two red lanterns, one bearing a household name and the other messages of good luck, hang on either side of the entrance.

The upper level of the house has a short canopy of Chinese tiles above the portico which frames the almost-Venetian shuttered windows. Boasting distinctively east-meets-west allure, the glass windows feature wrought-iron grilles and the eaves and fascias are covered with painted, floral designs. Inside the house there’s a collection of gold-leaf fixtures, Chinese- and Dutch-design black wood furniture inlaid with mother of pearl as well as skilfully carved lacquer screens and Victorian chandeliers.

The best parts of this tour are the guides who regal guests with Baba Nyonya tales of yore with noticeable Peranakan wit during the informative 45-minute tours. 

Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

Opening Hours: 10:00 – 12:30 & 14:00 – 16:30 Monday - Saturdays

Address: 48-50 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200.

Tel: +606 283 1273 

A'Famosa Resort

Approximately 24km north of Melaka, a little off the road to Kuala Lumpur, is the countryside town of Alor Gajah. The peaceful and grassy Alor Gajah Square – surrounded by a series of cheerily painted shop houses – is located in the town centre. Within this locale is the 520-hectare A’Famosa Resort – well-liked by Malay and Singaporean tourists. Not to be confused with the A’Famosa Fort, this hotel encompasses 1,300 acres of land and can only be described as a major theme park. There are several amusement parks within it including Animal World Safari, Water World and Cowboy Town.

Alor Gajah Hotels

ALL HOTELS IN Alor Gajah

Alor Gajah – situated approximately 24 km north of Melaka – lies a little off the road to Kuala Lumpur. Within its borders is the 520-hectare A’Famosa Resort – a sprawling resort that is popular with Malay and Singaporean tourists. Not to be confused with the A’Famosa Fort, this hotel boasts an on-site indoor and outdoor theme park as well as an international championship golf course. Ticket prices are a little steep but this little one-horse town doesn’t boast many other attractions; in fact the grassy Alor Gajah Square – surrounded by a series of cheerily painted shop houses located in the town centre – is the only worthwhile attraction besides A’Famosa Resort.

Although Malacca may be known for its bounteous assortment of fare, Alor Gajah has no such claim to fame. Most of the restaurants here are located within A’Famosa itself and the gastronomy options may be wide but the food isn’t exactly stellar. Add to that the fact the exorbitant prices and most people tend to drive out towards Malacca City to seek better options.

A’Famosa Water World In Malacca

Alor Gajah Atttractions

A’Famosa Water World is a 20-acre theme park within A’Famosa Resort. It is about 30 minutes from Melaka and an hour from KL. Popular with Malaysian and Singaporean tourists, it is a family oriented park: besides the water attractions at Water World, there is a huge ‘zoo’ at Animal World Safari.

It is not Disneyland by a long shot, but the theme park is one of Malacca’s most popular day-time attractions. Surprisingly, it is not usually listed in travel books, probably due to its relatively out-of-the-way location in Alor Gajah. The only water park in Malaysia’s southern region, it is divided into two sections: Water World and the 150 acre Animal World Safari.

A'Famosa Restaurants in Alor Gajah

Where and What to Eat in A'Famosa Resort

Although Malacca may be known for its bounteous fare, Alor Gajah has no such claim to fame. Most of the restaurants here are located within A’Famosa itself and the gastronomy options may be wide but the food isn’t exactly stellar. Add to that the fact the exorbitant prices and most people tend to seek better options elsewhere. Malacca City Centre is about 30 minutes away from this locale and has a plethora of good dining venues but if you’d like to stick close to this area while touring the theme parks, then try some of the places listed below for fare that isn’t half-bad.

A'Famosa Activities in Alor Gajah

What to Do in A'Famosa Resort

Alor Gajah doesn’t have much in the way of exciting attractions and activities. In fact the most notable attraction here is the A’Famosa Resort, which is a hotel with an on-site indoor and outdoor theme park as well as an international championship golf course. There are several theme parks within it including Animal World Safari, Water World and Cowboy Town. This resort is the only one in the region that can truthfully claim to ‘have something for everyone’ as they have such a wide array of interesting activity options, be it for the avid golfer, animal lover, water-sports enthusiast or for those who simply want to kick back and relax.

Animal World Safari

Animal World Safari is spread over 60 hectares and comprises more than 150 species including camels, elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers and zebras. However it must be said that animal lovers won’t necessarily be happy with the shows which are basically performances of an array of critters dressed in human clothing, aping human activities.

Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:00 everyday

Address: A'Famosa Resort, Jalan Kemus, Simpang Empat, 78000 Alor Gajah.

Tel: (603) 2781 8888

A'Famosa in Melaka

A’Famosa is more than just quick photo stop opportunity for tourists. Built in 1511, the settlement used to sprawl across a whole hillside but now only a lone gate (Porta de Santiago) remains. One of the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia; it is set beside the Istana ke Sultanan on Jalan Kota.

A’Famosa is perhaps Malacca’s best known sightseeing spot. Originally constructed by Alfonso de Albuquerque (who led the Portuguese invasion on the Malacca Sultanate), the remains of the fort is now a crumbling whitewashed gatehouse and is located downhill from St. Paul’s Church.

Structure of A'Famosa

 

In the 16th century A’Famosa housed the entire Portuguese administration, including its hospitals, five churches, elongated stockades and four key towers. One tower was a four-storey keep; the others were an ammunition storage room, captain’s residence and an officer’s quarters. The rest of the bastion comprised of townhouses clustered inside the fortress walls. The fort was expanded in 1586 to accommodate Malacca’s growing population.

Portuguese History

At the beginning of the 16th century, the Portuguese were establishing outposts in Macau, China and India in order to create a string of friendly ports for their ships plying the routes between China and Portugal. Malacca’s growing popularity meant that it was fast becoming an important link for Portugal to the Spice Route in China. In 1511 the Portuguese fleet, under the command of Alfonso de Albuquerque arrived and launched an attack on the armies of the Malacca Sultanate and defeated them.

Albuquerque moved swiftly to consolidate his gains by building a fortress around a hill near the sea. He used 1,500 slaves to construct A’Famosa as a stronghold to defend against foreign invasion.

Dutch History

In 1641 the Dutch wrested control of A’Famosa from the Portuguese and drove them out of the city. What remains is largely the Dutch reconstruction as they carried out renovation works in 1670, following the siege. To this day you can see a small inscription (ANNO 1670) on the fort’s arch as well as the coat-of-arms of the Dutch East India Company (VOC).

A’Famosa changed hands again when Malacca fell into British hands during expansionist Napoleonic times. Initially under the impression that the VOC was to act as a caretaker administration until a time when the Dutch were able to fully resume control, they had no idea the fort would soon be lost to them forever.

British History

Due to the fact that they offered too little and asked for too much, the Dutch forces soon lost the respect of their Malay subjects and in the early 19th century Malacca was fully conquered by the British. Wary of maintaining the fort, should it fall into enemy hands, the English ordered its destruction in 1806.

Fortunately, Sir Stamford Raffles (founder of Singapore) who was visiting Malacca in 1810 arrived in the nick of time. Due to his love of history he stepped in before the complete destruction of the old fortress. It was a close call though and the crumbling remains of Porta de Santiago, a small gate house, were all that could be salvaged from total destruction.

When work was undertaken on the Menara Taming Sari revolving tower in 2006, another part of the A’Famosa was discovered. As a result the revolving tower was relocated further inland and A’Famosa’s newly-discovered fortress walls were reconstructed.

Places to Visit in Malacca

 

Firmly rooted as Malaysia's historical city, visiting Malacca is like a journey back in time to witness the adventures and discoveries during Malacca's golden age.

Today, there are many historical sites to visit that give you a glimpse of Malacca's glorious past. This is balanced with other modern attractions such as water theme parks and cultural parks.