Zheng He promoted Melaka

Malacca was a point of trade between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Believe it or not, the Chinese emperor personally asked Zheng He to crown the chieftain of Melaka and the note was hand-written with the Chinese brush.

Some of Zheng He’s crew stayed behind and married Malaccans as they served the Prince Hang Li Poh. The ‘Perigi Hang Li Poh’ was dugged by the crew of Zheng He. Hang Li Poh was a princess in the imperial family of the Yongle Emperor. Hang Li Poh was the 5^th wife of the Melaka’s Sultan Mansur Shah.

Cross-marriage between the Chinese and the Malay happened in Melaka a long long time ago.

Today, we can see the result of such historic event in Melaka. We can see the traces of the historic event in Jonker Walk, Melaka. We can see the traces of the historic event in Heeren Street, Melaka. We can see the traces of the event in the Harmony Street. Think why a devalayan, a mosque, and a temple can sit harmoniously in Harmony Street.

From cross-marriages that happened so long ago, cross-marriages is still taking place today. The produce of this cross-marriages ?

Peranakan.

Locally-born Chinese in Melaka of such nature, is Peranakan. The man is Baba. The woman is Nyonya.

To serve the princess and to build their livelihood, Zheng He taught the Melaka people how to build houeses, how to plant rice, how to make handicraft, how to make apparels and on interior decorations. Now, you can see the intricate finest of the ancient designers in the interior of a Baba house in the vicinity of Jonker Walk.

When Queen Elizabeth II once stood at the Porta de Santiago, Her Majesty had seen a few roads in Melaka, and one street for sure the Queen has touched is Jonker Walk. So, Jonker Walk is a place you must go. I was only able to see the Queen's hat at that time. The Queen is celebrating The Diamond Jubilee. Watch this video.

Going back to Zheng He's arrival in Melaka, he has made the hill, the well and the temple a great place for tourists.

Where on earth could you see an undisturbed green hill right occupying a proportionate area in the center of heritage city with advancing standard of living that still keep and preserved the traditonal architecture, customs, rites and values. The hill ? Bukit Cina.

Bukit Cina will become a national treasure in future.