The Melaka River

This is my first post in a series on my hometown, Melaka, in Malaysia.


Melaka (or Malacca) is a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site. Certain parts of Melaka have been designated as being part of the world's heritage sites. These sites are The Melaka River, St. Paul's Hill, The Dutch Stadhuys buildings, Jonker Street, Jalan Tukang Besi, and Kampung Morten.


The Melaka River has played a significant role in the history of Malaysia, ever since Melaka was founded by Parameswara in 1402. This river was where the Malacca Sultanate grew and extended its Empire in the region. The Portuguese and later the Dutch fought for power and trade on the banks of the river. In its heyday, the river dubbed the "Venice of the East" was the meeting place of traders from the East and West. Even during  the English colonialisation and the Japanese occupation, the river flowing  into the Straits of Melaka had a strategic feature which was most sought after. Today visitors to Melaka can take a river cruise and enjoy a different perspective of  the river.

A sign post  with names of places in the Malay language, and one sign in English!

Here's the river and the boardless 'boardwalk' beside it.

You will love the old village look of kampung houses.

One of the many bridges along the river.

For My World Tuesday, Signs Signs.