A real family home
Still owned by the same family, in its original arrangement.
Chongkian — CC BY-SA 4.0 · P. Hughes — CC BY 4.0 · P. Hughes — CC BY 4.0 · Azuladnan — CC BY-SA 4.0
Three adjoining houses behind one ornate facade, turned into a museum of the life of a wealthy Baba-Nyonya family, the Chinese community settled in Malacca for centuries whose customs blended with Malay ones in dress, food and architecture. The house still belongs to the same family, which gives it a warmth government museums lack. Inside are mother-of-pearl furniture, carved staircases, painted porcelain and beaded embroidered costume, all in rooms kept in their original arrangement. The narrow street front hides a surprising depth, as the house runs far back through inner courtyards. Adults pay around RM 18, and the museum is closed on Tuesdays, opening on other weekdays from ten to a quarter past four, and until a quarter to five at weekends. Photography is restricted inside, and it is worth knowing that the museum charges an extra RM 100 to anyone who turns up in fancy dress for photos. It stands on the street of old merchants' mansions near Jonker Street, so it fits into a walk around the old town.
Still owned by the same family, in its original arrangement.
Mother-of-pearl woodwork and carved stairs.
A narrow front hiding a long house of inner courtyards.
48-50 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Malacca
Sri Poyatha Moorthi TempleThe oldest Hindu temple still in use in Malaysia, built in 1781 by the leader of2 minutes walk
Kampung Kling MosqueOne of the oldest mosques on the Malay Peninsula, founded by Indian Muslim trade2 minutes walk
Jonker Street Night MarketEvery Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening Jonker Street closes to cars and turns2 minutes walk4.4
Cheng Ho Cultural MuseumA museum about the life of Admiral Zheng He, the Ming dynasty's Muslim naval com3 minutes walk4.2
Cheng Hoon Teng TempleThe oldest functioning Chinese temple in Malaysia, founded by the leader of Mala3 minutes walk4.6Penang's mansion is bigger and richer in objects; this one is smaller and more intimate because it is still the family's house. If you are only in Malacca, this is your window onto the same culture.