Jonker Street & Chinatown Melaka
Bao An Gong is a typical Chinese building
The Chinese have long been instrumental in the flourishing of Melaka and much of the industrial success the settlement has enjoyed over the centuries can be attributed to the hard work of Oriental immigrants. And Chinatown is still found across Sungei Melaka from the heritage district with lots of narrow winding streets and al fresco café-bars to refresh oneself in.
Jonker Street was once the most exclusive address in the city and where the moneyed elite spent their time plotting and entertaining. It can be great fun to duck your heads in these abodes, seeing families huddled around their televisions while eating their dinner.
The houses of the neighbourhood were formerly the residences of the Baba-Nyonya community and are characterised by few windows (as that was the determination of taxation) and open rear courtyards to allow some light in.
The main street of Chinatown is the infamous Jonker Walk, or Jalan Hang Jebat to give it its true title. This red lantern-decorated thoroughfare is stunning during the evening when throngs of tourists wander through the trinket shops in search of bargains and sample delicious snacks from streetside stalls.
What to see and do in Chinatown
Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum
Contained within three traditional Chinese Palladian houses, this Melaka museum is joined by a covered walkway which carved teak doors and painted tiles. The interior of the homes are decorated with gold leaf and dark wooden furniture with mother-of-pearl inlay. (48-50 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, open 10:00 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 16:30, admission: RM8)
Traditional shopfronts are classic of Melaka
Hang Jebat Mausoleum
Jonker Street is named in Malay after Hang Jebat who was once considered one of the best five warriors in Melaka. But he was slaughtered in 1477 by his best friend Hang Tuah in a duel of honour at the bequest of the vengeful Sultan, and his body reputedly lies in this Achinese-style mausoleum until this day. (Jalan Kampung Pantai Melaka, Tel: +60 (0)6 283 6538)
Restaurants
Chinatown is one of the best places in the city to find something to eat. Jonker Street has long been home to some of the finest Melaka restaurants with Saturday night becoming a haven of inexpensive hawker stalls and snack vendors.
Traditional eateries such as Hoe Kee Chicken Rice (4 Jalan Hang Jebat) serve local staples such as chicken with rice balls, while Capitol Satay Celup (41 Lorong Bukit China) sells meat and fish skewers which customers cook in their own spicy pots of bubbling satay peanut sauce. More on Melaka restaurants.
Shopping
Although Jonker Street is renown for antiques, it is actually a great place to pick up a wider array of collectables and souvenirs. The night market on Friday and Saturday evenings sells everything from tacky t-shirts to delicious snacks, and it is great to enjoy an authentic meal before sauntering down the alleyways to browse in the fabulously varied boutiques. And Melaka shopkeepers are generally more hospitable than their counterparts from the bigger cities. More on Melaka shopping.
Chinatown spas in Jonker Street
There are plenty of spas in Chinatown which offer a range of traditional Chinese treatments as well as more familiar therapies common in the West. Spas such Taman Sari Spa (18 Medan Warisan Melaka, Jonker Street, Tel: +60 (0)6 284 6239) as utilise herbs, spices and exotic flowers in their powder with fermented coconut milk as the carrier oil. Whilst nearby Puri Spa (Hotel Puri Malacca, 118 Jalan Tun Cheng Lock, Tel: +60 (0)6 282 5588) has Peranakan packages involving bathing in floral milk and age-old massage techniques.
