Bandar Hilir is one of tourist destinations in Melaka. The area is located within the Central Melaka district next to Banda Kaba and Melaka Raya. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Archeology Research Center (USM) confirmed 4 human skeletons found in Bandar Hilir is a human skeleton that lived from 1400 to 1450, in the Malay Sultanate of Malacca era. They also found 23 kinds of artifacts such as pottery from China, stone pottery, Dutch pipes, earth pottery, glass bottles, tiled roofs, multi-year coins, red bricks mostly from the Dutch era, and also the gun rifles from tin materials, kerosene lamps, jade bracelets and teapots. All these artifacts were discovered during the construction work of Bandar Hilir lookout Tower near the Melaka Tourism Police Unit in Bandar Hilir in August 2007.Bandar Hilir is located among the Malacca tourist attractions such as A Famosa, Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum, Porta de Santiag, Dutch Square and many more. The main language spoken in the city is Malay, although the Baba Nyonya and Chitty have their own variations of Baba and Chitties creoles respectively. The Malaccan Portuguese have their own version of Portuguese creole, known as Kristang language.
The nearest airport to Bandar Hilir is Malacca International Airport located in Batu Berendam serves the city as well as northern Johor. Malindo Air and XpressAir is serves Malacca. Malindo Air operates daily flights to Pekanbaru in Indonesia and Penang in Malaysia. XpressAir operates four times flight to Pekanbaru. China Southern Airlines also operates scheduled charter flights from Malacca to Guangzhou vice versa, to transport tourist from both locations. You also may take flight to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The airport is easily accessible via the PLUS highways. From KLIA you can take taxi to Bandar Hilir, Malacca where the distance is 136 km and 1 hour 49 minutes’ drive away.
Malacca can be accessed from the North South Expressway. When coming from the south, drive along E2 and leave the expressway at the Ayer Keroh exit. Malacca city is on the Coastal Trunk Road (Federal Route 5), and can be accessed from the Main Trunk Road (Federal Route 1) by turning off at Simpang Kendong or Tampin, Negeri Sembilan. Malacca is 150 km from Kuala Lumpur, 216 km from Johor Bahru, and 60 km from Port Dickson.
Many long-distance express buses connect Malacca with Kuala Lumpur, Seremban, Johor Bahru, Singapore and other parts of Peninsular Malaysia. If you travel from Kuala Lumpur you may take southbound buses leave from new Bus Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, which is located just next to LRT station and KTM Komuter station Bandar Tasik Selatan. You also may walk to Kuala Lumpur old railway station and take KTM Komuter train for MYR2.40 or take LRT from Masjid Jamek station. Buses are leaving from the station every half hour to Melaka. From Singapore, there are many bus companies operate from City Plaza directly to Melaka Sentral. Bus schedules vary between companies but some operates have hourly buses. Best show up and buy tickets in advance if you want to travel on Saturday morning and return Sunday afternoon as many Singaporean tourists have the same idea.
Malacca Town is not served by any railway lines. The nearest railway station is at Pulau Sebang (Tampin) and in the Alor Gajah district is about 30 km away. The station is on the main Kuala Lumpur-Johor Bahru line and served by all trains.
A’Famosa is more than just quick photo stop opportunity for tourists. Built in 1511, the settlement used to sprawl across a whole hillside but now only a lone gate (Porta de Santiago) remains. It is among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia.
For visitors who are looking for history and culture site they may visit Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum. The Cultural Museum is a life-sized replica of a 15th century Melaka Royal Palace. Now a museum exhibiting items related to the state’s culture, its displays include a huge depicting a Sultan’s court.
The Proclamation of Independence Memorial is a must visit venue for those who wish to get an in-depth view on the events leading up to Malaysia’s Independence Day. The memorabilia and records in the Proclamation of Independence Memorial symbolize the indomitable spirit and courage of local Malays and other ethnic groups of Malaysia (formerly known as Malaya) in their fight for the country’s independence.
Characterized by salmon red walls, the Stadthuys was once of the official residence of the Dutch Governors and their officers. Built in 1645, it now houses the museum of history and Ethnography. Visitor also may visit Christ Church, a Dutch Reformed Church built in the 18th century located next to Stadthuys with similar color of the building.
Take a cruise down Melaka River and enjoy the beautiful view on both sides of the river. Accompanied by an informative commentary, the Melaka River Cruise lets you see parts of historical Melaka, which includes old warehouses, ancient shop houses, original bridges and Kampong Morten, a traditional Malay Kampong.
Staying at Hatten Hotel Melaka is a perfect choice when you are visiting Bandar Hilir. This hotel is very easy to find since it is strategically positioned close to public facilities. This 4-star hotel located near to one of main tourist attractions such as A Famosa (0.35km) and opposite to Dataran Pahlawan Shopping Mall.
Hotel Equatorial Melaka is centrally located in Malacca, a 5-star, 22-story international business class hotel that is within walking distance to all the main historical spots, central business districts, and shopping outlets. Suitable for visitors who are looking for luxury, convenience and comfort when stay in Bandar Hilir.
