and it sits proudly on the southwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

For centuries a strategic trading center,

this beautiful city was heritage-listed in 2008

in recognition of its historic and architectural significance.

Once the center of the Melakan Sultanate,

the city fell to the Portuguese in 1511,

before passing through the ruling hands of the Dutch and English Empires.

Melaka literally lives and breathes history,

with colonial and traditional cultures influencing everything

from architecture to cuisine.

Visitors can choose from 14 different themed museums,

including the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, which celebrates Melaka's proud Peranakan past.

Melaka boasts some of the oldest European architecture in Asia.

High on St. Paul's Hill stands the remains of A Famosa,

a vast fort complex that was once the center of Portuguese rule.

Around the town square and waterfront,

visitors can wander in the shade of grand 17th-century Dutch buildings.

One of Melaka's most popular attractions is Jonker Walk,

which passes through the city's Chinatown

and past some of the oldest terrace houses in Malaysia.

And when visitors tire from walking,

they can take a cool river cruise on the Melaka River,

or take a guided trishaw ride on one of the city's colorful bike taxis.

Melaka is famous for its vibrant culinary traditions too,

ensuring visitors can not only gaze at history, they'll get to taste it too.