Malacca (Melaka)

Malacca, or Melaka, was once the greatest trading port in Southeast Asia, the heart of the spice trade, and its rich, layered history has left a UNESCO old town of extraordinary cultural depth. Ruled in turn by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, and home to the distinctive Peranakan Chinese culture, it blends the red Dutch buildings of its central square, old churches and forts, ornate Chinese temples and shophouses, and a colourful, lantern-strung riverfront.

What you actually see

• The Dutch Square - the red Stadthuys and Christ Church.
• Jonker Street - the old Chinatown lane, and its weekend night market.
• The Peranakan heritage - the mansions and cuisine of the Straits Chinese.
• The riverfront - the lantern-lit river and its boat cruises.

When to go

December to April for the driest weather; the Jonker Street night market on weekend evenings is a lively highlight of food and shopping. It is an easy trip or overnight from Kuala Lumpur.

Honest expectations

It is a popular weekend getaway, so the centre and Jonker Street get busy, especially at the weekend market; midweek is calmer. It has become quite touristy and, in places, kitschy, with garish trishaws blasting music. Its layered history and Peranakan food, though, are genuinely rich, and it is easily seen in a day or two.

Nearby

Kuala Lumpur is two hours north; the coast and Johor lie to the south.