Ayer Keroh Attractions
What to See in Ayer Keroh
Established by Parameswara in the 1390’s, Malacca is Malaysia’s historical pride and joy. Under his rule, it thrived, emerging as a successful international port so esteemed that Portuguese writer Tome Pires once said ‘Whoever is Lord of Malacca has his hand on the throat of Venice’. This port lured Javanese, Indian, Arab and Chinese traders and soon caught the interest of expansionist Europeans. As time went on Malacca gained its freedom – along with the rest of Malaysia – and nowadays boasts beautiful architecture and good fare.
Ayer Keroh – located on Malacca’s outskirts – is a sleepy backwater with scanty activity options and is simply a visitor’s complex of hotels and trivial attractions. Although it has been publicised as a key Malaccan tourist site, since it is home to a hotchpotch of attractions such as the Melaka Zoo and the Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary, this area is mostly rural. There’s not much dining, nightlife and shopping but the few parks here are must-see sightseeing attractions.
Book Village Malaysia Melaka
Located in the Melaka Botanical Garden, the Book Village Malaysia Melaka, is only the second of its kind in Malaysia and is part of the International Organization of Book Towns. The place is surrounded by lush green forests and has over 15,000 books in its collection. Here it’s really peaceful to just curl up on a couch and read.
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 15:00 Tuesday to Thursday; 09:00 – 12:30 Friday; 09:00 – 18:00 Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.Address: Taman Botanical, Ayer Keroh, 75450
Tel: (606) 251 9181
Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary
Just across from the zoo is the Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary which has a collection of exotic creepy crawlies, snakes and some rather sad-looking crocodiles at the reptile aviary. With more than 30 species of butterflies and exhibiting the largest collection of reptiles as well as two golden leopards, this animal haven is much more beautiful than its unassuming exterior suggests.
Address: Lebuh Ayer Keroh, 75450.
Tel: (606) 232 0033
Melaka Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens – formerly known as the Hutan Rekreasi Ayer Keroh – was established in 2006 and is encircled by a forest that contains over 300 species of fauna and flora. The cheesy yet cute thing about this park is the collection of giant stone carvings of prehistoric animals – that were indigenous to this area – scattered all around the park.
Tel: (606) 231 6095
Melaka Zoo & Night Zoo
Kids will enjoy the luxuriantly landscaped Melaka Zoo, the second-largest zoo in the country. With more than 1,200 animals of over 200 different species, it is also the first in the region to display the endangered Sumatran rhinoceros of Gaur and serves as a centre for conservation breeding and wildlife study. The best time to go is at night when the nocturnal animals are up and about.
Address: Hang Tuah Jaya, Ayer Keroh, 75450.
Tel: (606) 232 4053
Taman Mini Malaysia & ASEAN
The main attraction in Ayer Keroh is the Taman Mini Malaysia/ASEAN, a large theme park that has examples of all 13 Malaysian state houses as well as neighbouring ASEAN countries. Each abode is furnished with life-like figures 'inhabiting' each charming home that features authentic arts and crafts items which represent the customs of its particular state.
Address: Lebuh Ayer Keroh
Tel: (606) 232 1331
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