Malacca is located on the southwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia and covers an area of 658 square kilometres. A state with a wealth of history, Malacca was founded in 1400 by Parameswara, an exiled Hindu prince from Sumatera. It became a great trading emporium and thrived as a port-of-call for many a ship and merchant from China , India , Arabia and South America . It was colonised by the Portuguese in 1511 (for 130 years), the Dutch in 1641 (for 154 years) and the British in 1824 (until independence in 1957). Malacca also came under Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945. After World War II, the proclamation of Malay Independence by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the country's first Prime Minister, was made at Padang Pahlawan Bandar Hilir (Warriors' Field), in Malacca on 20 February 1956.

The history of Malaysia to say the least, begins in Malacca. It is evident throughout the state and may be seen in landmarks such as Cheng Hoon Teng Temple - the oldest Chinese temple in the country built in 1646, Hang Li Poh's Well built in 1459, the 600-year old Tranquerah Mosque and Hang Kasturi's Mausoleum. You can also browse along Jonker Street for antiques; some as old as 300 years.

Take a snapshot of the Dutch-built Stadthuys and Christ Church . Or you can catch a glimpse of the ruins of St. Paul 's Church and the gateway to A Famosa fort. Do not miss the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum dedicated to the descendants of noble Chinese who adopted much of the Malay culture into their own, and see priceless heirlooms from these 'Straits Chinese'. A wealth of history is around every corner just waiting to be discovered.