MY · Melaka · 2.15°N 102.43°E

merlimau

Ornate Malay chieftain's house, tiled stairs and all, out in kampung Melaka.

Best time
Any time of year. Mornings are cooler for walking around the kampung.
How long
Half a day
Getting there
About 2.5 hours' drive from KL, or about 40 minutes south-east of Melaka city on the coastal road towards Muar.
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MY · Melakamerlimau2.15°N 102.43°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Ornate Malay chieftain's house, tiled stairs and all, out in kampung Melaka.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingMerlimauMY, Melaka
KLmerlimau
≈ 137 km from KL, as the crow flies
Demang Abdul Ghani Gallery, Merlimau, Jasin, Melaka, Malaysia

Photo: Chongkian · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Merlimau is a kampung-side town in Melaka's Jasin district, on the coastal road between Melaka city and Muar. The reason to stop is its old penghulu's house, an ornate Malay chieftain's home famous for its colourful tiled front staircase, with royal history and seafood close by.

Makan

  1. Ikan bakar at UmbaiThe seafood stalls at Umbai, between Merlimau and Melaka city, are the state's best-known spot for grilled fish.Map ↗
  2. Asam pedasMelaka's sour, spicy fish stew, found at Malay restaurants all over the district.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Rumah Penghulu MerlimauA 19th-century Melaka Malay house of carved timber, with front steps covered in bright patterned tiles.Map ↗
  2. Makam Tun TejaThe tomb of Tun Teja, a celebrated queen of the Melaka Sultanate, in a quiet kampung nearby.Map ↗
  3. Pulau BesarBoats from the Anjung Batu jetty near Umbai cross to this small island of old shrines and tombs.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Dress modestly at the tomb and at Pulau Besar's shrines, and take your shoes off where asked.
  • The penghulu's house is a heritage home, so check it's open to visitors before you drive out.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.