Princess Hang Li Poh's well, Melaka

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This well is located right next to the Poh San Teng Temple, itself located at the southwestern foot of Bukit China. It is believed that this is the oldest existing well in the country, and was dug on the orders of Sultan Mansur Shah, purportedly for his consort, the Princess Hang Li Poh. However, there is no documented evidence that Puteri Hang Li Poh existed in Chinese imperial records, and there is great likelihood that she is not of royal blood.

After Malacca was overthrown by the Portuguese, the Sultan of Malacca fled to Johore, where he launched a counterattack by poisoning this well in 1551, resulting in the death of 200 Portuguese soldiers. History repeated itself in 1606 when the Dutch poisoned the well, and in 1628-1629, it was the turn of the Acheenese to do the same. Realising the importance of this well, the Dutch built a wall around it complete with cannons and a guard post to protect it from sabotage. When Malacca was ceded to the British, the well was neglected and consequently fell into disrepair.

Built by the followers of Hang Li Poh, the well was the only source of water during great droughts. The Dutch enclosed it with stout walls to reserve it for their exclusive use. Today, it enjoys a reputation as a wishing well.

This is the oldest well in Melaka built in 1459 by the followers of Hang Li Po, the Chinese princess who married the Sultan of Melaka and the only source of water during the drought.

In 1511, the Javanese filled the well with poison, and many who drank from it died of the plague. Many Portuguese soldiers died from drinking the water from the well.

In 1677, the Dutch closed it with solid brick walls and later it was turned into a wishing well. It is said that whoever throws coins into the well will return to Melaka time and again.
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Hang Li Poh was a Chinese princess who married the reigning Sultan Mansur Shah in mid-15th century. When the Princess arrived in Melaka, her followers built a well in 1459 as the main source of water for much of the town. It was said that the well never dried up, not even during times of extreme drought. Later, the Dutch enclosed the well within thick walls in 1677 to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.

It has long since been converted into a wishing well.

The Hang Tuah well is a distance away from the town area. This is different from Hang Li Po Well. Well, the well is still filled with water and many still use the water from the well to clean themselves. Perhaps for good luck. I did the same too.

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BUKIT CINA - The well, which is located at the foot of Bukit Cina (Chinese Hill) was said to have been built by the followers of Hang Li Po in 1459. Hang Li Po, a Chinese princess, came to Melaka with her entourage where she was married off to Sultan Mansur Shah. It is said that water from the well had never dried up and was the only source during the great droughts.

In 1511, following the fall of Melaka to the Portuguese, the Javanese were reported to have poisoned the well. According to a Portuguese historian, Diogo de Couto, between 12 and 15 Portuguese had died from drinking the water from the well daily.

In 1677, following their conquest of Melaka, the Dutch enclosed the well with a brick well to maintain their rights over the well. The well was subsequently turned into a wishing well, a situation which continues until today.

It was said that those who threw coins into the well will return to Melaka time and again. However, another version has it that those drinking from the well will continuously return to Melaka.

This age old well is also known as Perigi Raja or King's well. It was built in 1459 and is said to be the oldest well in Melaka. It is believe that the well never dried up even during the great droughts and became the city's only source of water then.

The well was built under the royal command of Sultan Mansur Syah for Princess Hang Li Poh; the Chinese princess who married the sultan. It is is located at the foot of Bukit Cina - a chinese settlement area which is a gift from the sultan to Princess Hang Li Poh and her entourage from China.

Upon conquering Melaka in 1511, the Portuguese gain total control of the well. In retaliation, the Javanese filled the well with poison and many who drank from it died of the plague. According to the Portuguese historian, Diogo de Couto, many Portuguese soldiers died from drinking the water from the well.

Under the Dutch rule, in 1677 the Dutch enclosed the well with solid brickwalls as what it is today in a bid to maintain their rights to it and preventing the well from being poisoned again.

The well was later turned into a wishing well, which it has remained until today. It is said that whoever throws coins into the well or drink its water will return to Melaka time and again.

Next to the Sam Po Kong Temple is the well -
the well was built in 1459 by the followers of Hang Li Po, the Chinese Princess who married the Sultan of Melaka.

Today it is crowded by tourists looking into the well - nothing to see - but children here are trying to throw a coin in!!! - making it like a wishing well!

There are mixed stories to the well, some said the well never dries up even till today.
Others said that during the Japanese era in Malaya, the Japanese who hated the Chinese put poison into the well, and some said that the poison is still prevail in the water.