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Malacca ~ Harmony & Jongker Street
KL Visitors Guide


HOME > VISITORS GUIDE > PLACES TO VISIT > DAY TRIPS OUT OF KL > MELAKA >
HARMONY & JONKER STREET


Jalan Tukang Emas (meaning Goldsmith Street) is also nicknamed Harmony Street owing to the existence of places of worship from Malaysia's 3 main religions all within 50 meters of each other.

These places of worship are namely Kampung Kling Mosque, Sri Poyatha Vinayagara Moorthy Hindu Temple and the Chinese temple, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple.

The coexistence of these three distinct faiths is a testament to the religious pluralism of Melaka.


Kampung Kling Mosque
The Masjid Kampong Kling, built in 1748, is one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia.

When Masjid Kampong Kling was erected, the neighbourhood of Kampong Kling was still primarily inhabited by South Indians or ‘Klings’ (a term used by the locals for Indians).

The multiple styles revealed in this mosque attest to the amalgamation of different cultures building tradition that flourished in Malacca through the eighteenth century.

The styling of the building is highly eclectic. It is one of the few mosques with a pagoda instead of a minaret. Also, the interior has no dome, which is very unusual.

The arcade around the prayer hall is a series of Corinthian columns, reflecting European influence. Chinese ceramic tiles were imported to adorn the roof, the floor and the lower walls of the mosque.

Furthermore, there are decorative motifs on the doors and windows and also the rooftop ornament, or mastaka.

The mosque also has a blend of English and Portuguese glazed tiles.


Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
Cheng Hoon Teng temple was founded in 1645 by Lee Wei King and is also one the oldest functioning Chinese temple in Malaysia. The temple occupies 50,000 square feet. Inside the main hall on the central altar is a statue of Kuan Yin, the goddess of Mercy.

To her left is the Queen of the Oceans (Ma Choe Poh), the guardian of fishermen, sailors, and sea travellers. The final deity is Hiap Tian Tye Tai or Kuan Ti Yeh, the favourite deity of merchants and traders.

To the left of the main hall is an altar to the sage, Confucius. In the back are ancestral tablets of local Chinese and the "Kapitans China" of Melaka. "Kapitan China", which means "Captain of the Chinese" was a position created by the colonials to act as an administrator of the local Chinese community.

The founder of the temple, Li Wei King, was a Kapitan China and his portrait is enshrined in one of the back halls. The temple was constructed by craftsmen using materials brought in from southern China.

Sri Poyyatha Temple
Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple was built in 1781 on the plot donated by the religiously tolerant Dutch and dedicated to the Hindu deity Vinayagar.

In the back room is a sculpture of the deity with the head of an elephant and the body of a man with four hands.

Lord Vinayagar is the deity revered for his wisdom and ability to remove obstacle so one could accomplish one’s desire or goal. The side altars are dedicated to Vinayagar’s father, mother and younger brother deity, Lord Muruga.

This is a sacred temple for both the Chettiar (traditional Hindu moneylenders) and the Chitty (Peranakan Indians who claim to have been in Melaka five hundred years ago).
It is a focal point for members of the Hindu community in Melaka, and whilst there are other Hindu temples in the city, they are all linked in one way or another to this one.

It is interesting to note the Dutch influence in the architecture of the temple. This can be seen in the details and finishing of the entrance, walls, columns, vaulted domes and roofs of the temple.


Jonker Street
It is in the city's Jonker Street, that one can actually buy a piece of history. It's known by many names - Jalan Hang Jebat, Jonker Street, Jonker Walk or even as Antiques Row, it is a definite haven for antique collectors and bargain hunters.

It's much the same as it was since the 19th century - a narrow street in Melaka's Chinatown area, home to the oldest buildings in the city, some dating back to the 17th century!

Authentic artefacts and relics. some dating as far back as 300 years, can be found among a host of interesting collectibles, each with its own history and mystery.
Known worldwide among famous antique collectors as one of the best places to hunt and bargain for antiques, the antique shops here offer artefacts from different periods of colonial rule – Portuguese, Dutch, and British.

 

 

If you have sufficient time to stroll through the street with eagle eyes, you can easily hunt and bargain for the unique and valuable antique furniture, Chinese porcelain, brassware, cast iron beds, lamps, coins and money notes, as well as the priceless Buddha statues.

Many of the antiques available bear Chinese origins, reflecting the influence of the Straits Chinese (baba's and nyonya's) and the later Chinese immigrants to then Malaya.

While at Jonker Street, one also has to exercise caution and be fairly knowledgeable to avoid purchasing items passed off allegedly as antiques. However, Jonker Street is more than just antique and souvenir shops. Apart from small traditional businesses, there are also several art galleries.

If you're shopping for antiques, avoid going during the night market - visit in the daytime, when there are less people and you'll have more time to look through the merchandise. The area is filled with hostels and affordable accommodations, complete with a downstairs-pub for the increasing number of Western tourists who come here.


Melaka ~ Places to Visit


The Porta de Santiago & St. Pauls Church

Stadhuys & Christ Church

Portuguese Settlement & St. Peter's Church

Harmony & Jonker Street

Melaka River Cruise & Observation Tower


Best Way to Visit - Historical Melaka Tour

A Full day tour to take you back into the past 600 years as you visit Malacca city's historical landmarks and its legacy.


PLACES & SIGHTSEEING ~ DAY TRIPS OUT OF KL
• GENTING HIGHLANDS • FRASER HILL • MALACCA • K. SELANGOR & FIREFLIES
• ELEPHANT SANCTUARY • CAMERON HIGHLANDS • PUTRAJAYA
 

 

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