Melaka River (Malacca River)
February 3rd, 2006
Pictures of Melaka River at Flickr
Melaka will never be gifted with the glorious history in the past without the existence of Melaka River (Malacca River). It signifies the emergence of Malay Sultanate of Melaka, it marks the beginning and ending of each war, it was one of the main factors attracted foreign colonization, and it was the place where Melaka began. Through hundreds of years of fading memories, the history remaining a fact, while Melaka River was changing its role from a busy major port along the spice-route to tourism spot which tells the story. Interestingly, the Melaka River once was dubbed as “Venice of The East” by European seafarers who are out in search of new conquests in East of India.
Now, without cannons and weapons, visitors can recall the history of Melaka by cruising on Melaka River which passes through the town, in a 40 minutes boat ride, which starts from the jetty located near the Dutch Square.
The Soothing Cruising Journey
There are a number of bridges along the Melaka River, which serving as the main communication medium in the past between residents of left and right riverbanks. The first bridge that will be caught in sight is the Tan Boon Seng Bridge. When the Portuguese was capturing Melaka in 1511, they have first captured and controlled the Tan Boon Seng Bridge to break down the communication line, and subsequently gain a significant advantage to win the war.
Along the journey, you will be able to have a brief pictorial figure on the life of residents staying along both sides the riverbanks. Most of the houses built along the riverbanks during Dutch rule are featuring long and narrow architectural design, because owners of long and narrow buildings did not have to pay tax, unlike owners of long and wide buildings, because of the scarcity of land in the dike-filled country.
Next, you will come to the Chan Boon Cheng Bridge built in 1908, which links the Kampung Pantai (Melaka Old Chinatown) of western bank to Jalan Bunga Raya (Melaka New Chinatown). Originally, it was a steel fabricated bridge, but reconstructed in 1963 with concrete bridge.
After the Chan Boon Cheng Bridge, you will see another pedestrian bridge called Ghostbridge of Malacca, links Kampung Pantai with Kampung Jawa. Sounds weird, but the naming of this bridge is not associated with mythical reasons.
Further up, another pedestrian footbridge called the Old Market Bridge can be seen. This bridge links Kampung Hulu with the former Central Market and Jalan Kee Ann. Until 1991, scene of fishing boats berthing at the old Central Market was commonly seen. However, due to urban growth and modernization, the sepia-toned scene is now a history.
Next is the Jalan Hang Tuah Bridge that links Jalan Munshi Abdullah with Jalan Hang Tuah. On the right bank is a vacant cinema called Cathay Cinema, which was once a famous outing spot in the olden days, but being closed down in the late 1990’s due to the reality of chronographic changes in the young generations. On the left bank, you will see a quiet street called Jalan Kilang with rows of old shops facing the river. It looks hushed at present, but it was one of the busiest places in Melaka by playing the vital role of Express Bus Terminal until early 2004. From the moment the public transportation exchange shifted to Melaka Sentral of modernized facilities, it has lost its glorious days.
The final sight before heading back on your cruise is the famous Kampung Morten located on the left bank. Kampung Morten is a typical Malay village in the heart of Melaka town, which is still very well preserving its cultural colours amidst modernization. Kampung Morten is one of the classified national Malaysian heritage sites. It is considered as a living museum as many of its villagers are still preseving its age-old living style apart from the unique architecture of their traditional houses.
Besides all the historical landmarks along the riverbanks of Melaka River, you should also take note of a reptile specimen living at the muddy riverbanks of Melaka River – Monitor Lizard.
Enhancing the Tourism Value of Melaka River
Since 2005, Melaka state administration is taking pro-active measures to develop the river. When completed, the Melaka River is expected to have a new image like pollution-free water, beautiful gardens on its banks and pedestrian walkways. At present, 12 boats are in used under the Melaka River Cruise programme - 6 40-seater boats and 6 20-seater small boats. The boats are made of fibreglass and able to cruise along the Melaka River even if the water level drops to a mere 0.8m, capable of passing below the bridge at the highest tides.
Boat trips are available daily at every internal of 30 minutes, within the following time window:
- 9.30am to 1am
- 1pm to 5pm
- 6pm to 12midnight
Fare: RM5 for an adult, and RM2 for a kid
GPS Coordinate: N2.19309 E102.24734
Related Previous Posts
- Map@Melaka - Chinatown
- Melaka and George Town Listed as UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites
- The Scenes of Fishing Village at Muara Sungai Duyung
- Steamed and Roasted Breads at Siang Chiang Kopitiam
- Evening Walk at Sungai Melaka Riverwalk around Kampung Morten
Entry Filed under: Historical Site
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1 Comment Add your own
1. Zureuel Gan | May 21st, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Malacca River Folly Project
The Malacca River or Sungai Melaka the main waterway traversing this historic town is slowly but surely losing its lustre. Its traditional role and function permanently deleted. After five centuries of receiving traders and sailors from all corners of the world, life around the river recently comes to a forcedly halt to accommodate a RM130 million Malacca River Beautification Project. At its core the project clamors after the San Antonio Riverfront and just about everything there with no qulams or discreet about the historical value of Sungai Melaka.
The project first launched in the new millennium was ambitious and its justification was music to many ears. High on the wish list is to stop the repeats of the Great Flood 1971, halt the local habit of turning the river into a favorite dumpsite, and rejuvenate river’s marine life. However as we appraoach the tail end of the redevelopment project, one will discover that in its place is a prettified riverfront, with an annoying similarity to Singapore’s Clarke Quay. Ask its advocators and they would argue that the river now is spotting a popular thoroughfare to reach different venues in the town, but probably more true for a largely tourist traffic and unfortunately little else for Malaccans.
Aestically the so-called beautification project has cast a cement veil over parts of the historical river and it is no different from the canals found along the confluence of Gombak and Klang Rivers in KL. The rows of stilted shoplots in Kampung Ulu, Kampung Pantai and Kampung Jawa apparently were an eye sore for foreigners. At worst it highlighted a disappointing and a lack of genuine idea on the people involved in the project.
Monitor lizards and the occasional kingfisher once found lazily around stilts and the Sumatran schooners unloading charcoals at the river banks are all but disappeared. Purple colored fishing trawlers once a common sight here when visiting Malacca is also history. Now the only motorized noise vibrating you get is from the state owned floating platoons cruising up and down the stream with paying human cargoes.
In the early 2005, treasure hunters can still be found on its muddy banks when tides ebb scavenging for remnants of Malacca’s past. After all this water artery was the site where battles fought and history made. Judging by the men’s enthusiasm and the risk they willing to take, one reckon these must be very profitable outings. Today the men are long gone and mudskippers suffered the same aweful fate too.
Currently Phase II of the project is in full swing. (Apr 2008) A tidal lock opposite the Flor De La Mar’s replica is up and running, and thus ensuring that the river level is always ideal for the tourist platoons to sail the entire length of the river.
Malacca would then claim the misnomer title of “Venice of Asia”. Even Parameswara and D’ Albuquerque would be strangers if they set their foot again here on the sungai. The same sungai that gave birth to a proud Malay Sultanate and ushered the waves of European colonialism to this part of the world.
Guide to River walk
Here is the riverwalk guide for anyone who fancy taking the 1- 1 1/2 hour casual walk on the refurbished banks. Begin the journey from old Bailey Bridge (now a 2 way modern bridge) in Pengkalan Rama, walk further down stream and see ornamented stilt attap in Kampung Morten. Go up on the boardwalk for up close view of families living by the river and it should take you to the Old Express Bus terminal and the new Ferris Wheel.
Walk pass the Hang Tuah Bridge near the old Cathay and the boardwalk will takes you to more rear scenes of local homes in Kampung Ulu(across the river) and Kampung Jawa(closest to the boardwalk). Take a side tour at Kampung Jawa and you may be rewarded with delightful shopping experience i.e Excess military goods, coffin shops, pet shops. (In the 80s, Kg Jawa was also infamous for prostitution but unsure of the current status)
A decent square next to Kg Jawa Surau offers a break for your tiring legs. Either proceed up the pedestrian bridge to go the other side of the river to see rows of family owned shops ie jewelry and “pails and bins” shops in this narrow alley, or head straight pass the small Chinese temple besides the bridge.
After the Chan Koon Cheng Bridge you’re within the sights of St. Francis Church. Make a visit there and discover the old wooden organ on the 1st floor and also the crypt. Murals around the church wall illustrate the many miracles the saint was known for. Back to the large public parking area which used to house Mara Shoplots. Continue your walk on the river front and you will exist close at the Stadhuys. Here you can see the original wall foundation made of the same coral stones used to build A Famosa. Across the river is a derelict warehouse waiting for its last few days. See also the stepped banks once used by coolies on gangplanks to load and unload goods from tongkang to the warehouse.
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