Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum

The Basics

The Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum is an occasional stop on Melaka tours, which generally depart either from the city itself or from Kuala Lumpur. It’s easy enough to visit independently, and tickets are affordably priced, although at many times of year you will want to book ahead. If you don’t already have a guide, it’s worth paying the small extra charge to join the informative guided tours that depart every half hour or so throughout the day.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum is a must for history buffs and fans of interior design.

• Signage is very limited, so to make the most of your visit, book a guided tour.

• The Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum is still operated by the Chan family, who first moved into the house in 1861.

• The museum is not wheelchair-accessible. It’s spread over three unmodernized floors, and even the ground floor has steps for access.

How to Get There

The Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum is located on Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock in the heart of old Melaka, less than five minutes’ walk from the Jonker Street Night Market and within walking distance of all the key downtown attractions. Riding one of Melaka’s colorful, motorized 3-wheelers (trishaws) is a fun way to arrive if you’re feeling footsore.

When to Get There

The Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum is open seven days a week from midmorning to late afternoon, excluding Malaysian public holidays, with slightly extended opening hours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Visit early in the day during the working week for a less crowded experience.

Who Are the Peranakans?

From nyonya food to tiny beaded shoes and delicate lace gowns, Peranakan culture runs through old Melaka. It dates back at least 500 years, when Chinese settlers in the areas that now form part of Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia started intermarrying with the locals. Traditional Peranakan culture is a hybrid of old-fashioned mainland Chinese ways with Malay elements.