Melaka Shopping

Markota Parade is one of the biggest shopping centres in Melaka and its nicely situated near all the guesthouses and many of the hotels in Melaka. Its great because you can simply go inside for a coffee at one of its many coffee shops to escape from the midday heat. Sampling food at the food hall is also easy, with pictures of the many dishes on display for you to eat.

Should you not want to buy anything in the many shops and stalls in the centre then on the upper levels of the shopping centre they have entertainment facilities, with Bowling and the Cinema open for long hours.

On the ground floor there is often an exibition of some sort being shown, which is often interesting to watch. Previous shows have included fashion shows and indonesian/malaysian dancing.

What to pay: Depends on what you buy. Its between 8-10 Rm for a trip to the cinema, and similarly for the bowling.

The flea market, a popular place for second-hand goods, has arrived in Melaka since November 2005... The market is open from 9.00am to 3.00pm every Sunday...

What to buy: There are about 25 stalls selling various items ranging from old magazines, storybooks, dishes, antiques, paintings and clothes to clogs and accessories for women...

What to pay: Bargaining is course necessary... as what is on sale are things you find in garage sales, you should only buy if you like the thing and you think the price is reasonable... you cannot put price on things that you have been looking for a long time and suddenyl found it here...

This is a shopping mall with Jusco as an anchor tenant. Singaporeans like to cross the causeway over the weekends and stock up some groceries and household items here as they are cheaper comparatively. You need to pay parking fees eventhough you are parking outside of Jusco's compounds.

What to buy: Jonker Walk, is where the most interesting shopping activities take place. The street contains every imaginable trades: spirits importers, hairdresing salons, wooden shoe stores, apothecaries with Chinese herbs on display, sign printers, an acupuncture clinic, several furniture factories, etc. There is also a combination craft shop and restaurant with Peranakan ambience.

You will find treasures such as ornate oil lamps, opium beds, altar stands, Victorian clocks and early gramophones in the antique shops of Jonker Walk.

After a tired hunt of antiques, why not rest your feets at one of the shops (No.88) which offers the best dessert and chendol.

What to buy: Made of tiny shrimps and vinegar, this pinkish meal enhancer is a well-loved traditional appetizer among the locals. Popular for its exotic flavour, the cincalok is usually added to rice for a more fulfilling meal. Sold in bottles, you can purchase this delicacy at the stalls by the beach of Jalan Klebang or at any tourist spots.

Just add a little bit of chilli shreds, lime and onion shreds, it ban be served as a flavouring sauce with rice or as an appetizer.

What to buy: Fancy bringing back priceless Chinese porcelain home ? Well, just walk into any of the antique shops along Jonker Walk.

Antique lovers all over the world should take a look at the extraordinary findings they have in those shops from the Sung, Ming and Qing dynasties.

Apart from antiques, pieces of brassware and ancient jewelry, you will also find exquisite porcelain from the 17th century Dutch and 18th Century Japan there. The shops are lined along Jonker Walk.

Tan Kim Hock is the place to head for if you wish to buy some local products home as gifts.

Their products are nicely packed and displayed.

Dont forget to try their famous Tan Kim Hock Durian Chendol (RM3).

Tan Kim Hock has a hotel just next door.

What to buy: Durian Dodol, Coconut Dodol, Durian Chendol, crackers, lime juice concentrate

TESCO supermarket is the main tentant with many other restaurants and a food court in this building.

Ample free parking lots and is located opposite the New Sentral Bus Station.

Go check out the San Su Gong pastry shop which sells the delicious Lau Po Bing (wife's cake).

My mother IL brought few boxes back as gifts.