The first tour on our most recent Malaysia visit was not Kuala Lumpur as most visitors do, but Malacca — or Melaka, as locals and residents fondly call it. A most charming hub where it all began — where one breathes history and heritage, where tourists pleasantly discover customs and traditions, where transients immerse in their arts and culture.

Just a couple of hours drive on impressive highways from the capital, Malacca felt like unhurriedly stepping into a slower pace, of once-upon-a-time Malaysia. Well-preserved Portuguese ruins stood beside Dutch-inspired buildings. British influences lingered in beautiful still-functioning fountains and clocks on towers. Chinese shophouses were filled with take-me-home knickknacks and souvenirs and the unescapable aroma of roast chicken, duck, plus grilled seafood and laksa. It was undoubtedly an open-air museum!

Here are 10 sights which made Malacca memorable:

Ply the Malacca Riverside

If there is one area which defines Malacca best, it is the river. It gracefully snakes through the city like living postcards, lined with bustling cafés with global customers, intimate restaurants and several restored bridges bright enough to demand photographs worthy of an Instagram post. During the day, it is pleasant and relaxed, with locals and visitors moving at an easy cadence.

At night though, the river totally transforms itself. Hundreds of lights luminously reflect on the water, multicultural music drifts from packed bars, and the promenade turns theatrical. It becomes less of simply a sightseeing stop, and more of several joint stages with everyday performers, where we can watch the evening go by.

Explore the Red Dutch Square

Right at the center of old town is Red Dutch Square, better known for its colonial architecture and deep red buildings — it is impossible to miss! The square regally sits at the center of the UNESCO heritage district — just below St. Paul’s Hill — and is without a doubt Malacca’s most recognizable landmark. The old structures remain remarkably preserved, giving the area a true sense of admired continuity. Do not forget the nearby Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower and Queen Victoria’s Fountain, only two of several reminders that history is not limited to just one era in time.

Sightsee at Menara Taming Sari Tower

For a wider 360-degree view, Menara Taming Sari Tower is the definite go-to. The slow-moving rotating observation skyline rises way above the cityscape. It may not be as famous as Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers, but at sunset, it delivers more than what it promises.