Melaka's Harmony Street

A mosque, a Chinese temple and an Indian temple just a few doors away from each other make Melaka's Jalan Tokong (Temple Street) truly a harmony street. All three buildings exhibit interesting facades and facets. During our previous visit in 2009, we rode in one of the colourful beca (trishaws) along this street and the trishaw-man kindly made stops for us to visit these houses of worship. But this time we walked around and were content with taking pictures from the outside.

Kampung Keling Mosque (1748) is in Sumatran-style with a three-tiered roof. The pagoda-like minaret is rather unusual, while in the prayer hall are Corinthian columns.

Cheng Hoon Teng temple (1645) is the oldest functioning Chinese temple in the country.

The Sri Poyyatha Indian Temple (1781) enshrines Vinayagar, the deity with an elephant head and the body of a man with four hands.

Apart from the houses of worship, Jalan Tokong also has other interesting buildings. The shophouses have pretty facades, and some exhibit unusual trades. One shop still makes little bound feet shoes following the original pattern. Did I mention shoes? Yes, and of course someone has to buy these shoes, even if they are only three inches big small. B did!

We also spotted this little wooden house offered for homestay, just opposite the Cheng Hoon Teng temple. Nice, but would you stay here? Surrounded by so much ... history.

Just off Jalan Tokong, near the end of Jalan Hang Kasturi, is the 15th century Achinese style Makam Hang Jebat (Hang Jebat Mausoleum). To many, Hang Jebat was the champion of justice who died tragically at the hands of his sworn brother, Hang Tuah in a duel of honour. RIP, our hero.

Hang Jebat Mausoleum (CNB 2013)

Melaka 2-5 November 2013