After the centre was closed for more than 10 years because of management problems, it has been given a new breath of life since September 2016 and redeveloped at a cost of RM20mil on a 19.8ha site at Durian Tunggal.
The new rebranded cultural based theme park showcasing the unique culture and lifestyle of the Chinese community besides elements of arts and education.
The new rebranded cultural based theme park showcasing the unique culture and lifestyle of the Chinese community besides elements of arts and education.
We made it a family vacation spot on the 30th August, Eve of Merdeka but unfortunately when we reach there we told that the place have revised their opening hours. On Monday to Thursday CLOSED, unless it is public / school holidays. Friday to Sunday 9:00am to 6:00pm.
A rather awkward situations as operational hours not on weekdays. If you have happen to browse through 2016 blog you will find it's operational even weekdays. We were told by the security man they only open of Fri- Sunday. He should also recommend us since we go there empty handed why not have lunch at their vegetarian restaurant.Vegetarian restaurant Mun Restaurant is one of the best I've been to but the location quite far away from the Malacca town.
When we return again on Sunday, we saw big space of empty parking at the foothill. This can't be right as it is the weekend. Resorts will need to promote the Touch City as Melaka tourist destination, aggressive packaging strategies and advanced Internet marketing their resort using social media.
Where are the tourist cars or buses? Feeling a bit worried that it's closed again and finding difficulty to find the ticket booth. The management should take a look at this problem. The booth should be clearly visible.
At the bottom of the walkway of steps I went there but found there's nobody attending the counter, it's more like a store room. Unsure where to go, I keep on walking the long distance walkway steps (the visitor information board name it "Skyway" cause it appear like a sky cloud but in term of walking it's rather not practical).
Upon reaching the top of walkway finally I can see the tourist direction sign and found the counter. They should think of making another walkway closer to the upper ticket booth for the visitor and elderly convenient.
Where are the tourist cars or buses? Feeling a bit worried that it's closed again and finding difficulty to find the ticket booth. The management should take a look at this problem. The booth should be clearly visible.
At the bottom of the walkway of steps I went there but found there's nobody attending the counter, it's more like a store room. Unsure where to go, I keep on walking the long distance walkway steps (the visitor information board name it "Skyway" cause it appear like a sky cloud but in term of walking it's rather not practical).
Upon reaching the top of walkway finally I can see the tourist direction sign and found the counter. They should think of making another walkway closer to the upper ticket booth for the visitor and elderly convenient.
Ticket counter is located on top. Why the designated visitors' car park sit empty? |
I try to think logically the ticket booth is at the bottom of walkway but I guessed incorrectly. Lack of signboard n directory. |
The first attraction. "TADA!!". The washroom. Howdy Sis. |
Why no door lock? As there is no light on inside, I failed to see that the door bolt as it resemble like a toilet paper holder. |
I think the price is a bit steep for entry ticket but when you have seen their awe-inspiring architecture, magnificent facades and sheer size, you know it's worth it.
Adult (age 13 - 59): RM36.00; Child (age 7 - 12): RM20.00; Senior Citizen (age 60 above):Rm20.
Admission Rates displayed at ticketing counter |
Their landmark of previous Auyin-Hill Resort is still maintain by the new owner/co-founder, Mr. Chong Wee Chau. By preserving this attraction with the hope to bring nostalgia feel where it could be one of the greatest and memorable visit during the 90’s.
Maitreya (Sanskrit), Metteyya (Pali), is regarded as a future Buddha of this world in Buddhist. |
Laughing Buddha or Fat Buddha Bodhisattva Maitreya (Chin: Mileh-fo, Jap: Miroku ... is used to express someone who is exceedingly tolerant - has a "big stomach". Isn't it being caring, compassionate, and wearing your emotions on your sleeve are just the start of what it means to have a big heart?
I need to mention this. While walking up using the Skyway passage we notice the view of "Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars of Filial Piety" drawings are partially blocked by the the trees. |
In Confucian philosophy, filial piety (Chinese: 孝, xiào) begins with the families in which everyone has to respect his parents. Repayment, family harmony, respect, obligation, and sacrifice are the traditional meanings of filial piety.
The Green Dragon signify power and status. A Mini-Me if compared with the dragon of Yong Peng but this dragon blow smoke like a breathing dragon. Cool... |
What's my Chinese zodiac sign? The seventh of all zodiac animals. Horse symbolizes such character traits as strength, energy, and an outgoing nature. "Hell yeah!" "Yeehaw!" |
This giant tourist information board should have one at the Vistors Parking Spaces. |
Once inside tourists may want to wander into the park, overlook information provided. Remember that you're in a spacious park. Once you missed a tourist attraction sight, it's hard to go back due to the far apart walking distance from one another.
Hi-Ya! He Who Needs No Introduction. I wanted to try this high kick but afraid my pants will ripped in half. |
Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.
Bruce Lee
Ultimately , there's only one thing that really matters: you remain true to yourself and love ... If you do things right, there will still be people who hate you.
Wing Chun? (played by Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh in 1994 action movie) |
Don't hold your pee. I think he has the urge to go to the bathroom. |
Everybody was kung-fu fighting
Those kicks were fast as lightning
In fact it was a little bit frightening
But they fought with expert timing..
Bird eyeview of Pagoda of Wisdom |
Love Comes In All Shapes And Sizes. |
The Flaming and Snowy Phoenix
Rebirth and hope are its attributes. |
Snow attributed phoenix is the fourth most powerful phoenix. It brings snow (breath out) and froze (breath in). Fire phoenix represent reborn and hope; Snow phoenix represents motherly nature and purity.
Two Heavenly members fall in love with each other and punished by Jade Emperor to be two restrictive attributes of phoenix. They can only see each other distantly. The love depicted implies The Touch City hope of bringing respect towards the sense of love.
In ancient Indian art, the Buddha Shakyamuni was not represented as a person but as a stupa. The stupas built with relics and other holy objects that they collected from the Buddha’s cremation.
Lung Yin Dragon – The Imperial Dragon
The idea of the creation came from the founder. |
The founder first dream of a dragon flying to the sky, and this has create enormous motivation and drive to build a dragon sculpture.
Most dragons in the mainstream media in the West are terrors and evil while the Chinese have different views. By contrast, the Chinese dragon is an auspicious creature, symbolizing strength, wisdom, good luck and power over the elements of wind and water.
Ancient Chinese believed they were descendants of the dragon (龍的傳人).
Lü Shang (Chinese: 呂尚; fl. 11th century BC), commonly known as Jiang Ziya (姜子牙) and Jiang Shang (姜尚), was an ancient Chinese military strategist |
Jiang Ziya, the great general and strategist and military mastermind who was key to establishing the Zhou Dynasty, was said to have spent years in his old age fishing. His unconventional methods of fishing by using a straight hook, or no bait, or with his hook dangling above the water.
The future king walked by everyday and saw this old fisherman fishing with a hookless rod. One day, finally his curiosity compelled him to go to him and have a good chat with the old man.
The Old Man told him, "I am not fishing for fish, but I am fishing for man." You see, this old man is waiting for the right person to come along. Nowadays, there is a saying that Lord Jiang goes fishing simply implies that " those who wants to get caught, gets caught. "
After Jiang Ziya became the general, he was known as "Taigong", or "the Grand Duke". The degree to which this qualifies as a myth is open to question, but it is certainly a well-known motif.
Park Big Bird Cage named Bird's Paradise |
It's amazing, birds are very friendly and domestic.Most of the birds are not in cages, and you can take really good pictures.
Love Birds chatting at their private condominium nest box |
Inside the park giant bird cage. |
We do love the bird park and the rabbit park. They let the birds fly freely around us.Wonderful to see the flock of birds take flight and their impressive flying maneuvers.
Awesome!
Males are known as peacocks and females as peahens. Females have white bellies, while males' bellies are the same blue as the rest of their plumage.
Not Tonight Honey, I Have a Headache |
Male peacocks fan their colourful rear feathers and shake them, to attract the attention of the lady birds(peahens).
Life is not fair. Why is a male peacock more beautiful than a female when it is usually the other way? |
What's Up, Doc? Rabbits are social animals and love to play with their people especially kids but... |
My Suggested Route is simply a nice walk covering the left after walking towards the Green Dragon. After finished covering the left side attraction you should be hungry now. Walk to the blissfully air conditioned Cultural Promenade to cool off after a hot day tour which shows you the history of Melaka and the Peranakan people through the medium of 3D art photography.
Try the Mun restaurant - the vegetarian cuisine were superb |
For those who want a great meal without entering the park can use the direct road and proceed through the right Fort's Collosal Door. |
Visitor who wants to visit park cannot use this way. The Fort's Collosal Door on the left is reserved for the Park Staff only, while the right door exclusive to Mun Restaurant. |
Malacca Historical in 3D Art Exhibition
Stroll inside the air conditioned Cultural Promenade which shows you some of the history of Melaka and the Peranakan people by the means of 3D art photography. Beautiful painted, you can use your imagination as an observer makes your own interpretation of the artwork.
Visitors themselves become part of the art by simply posing infront of the many 3D paintings and taking pictures, interact with this and become part of history. It’s also provide information with detailed information boards.
There is a vegetarian restaurant where you can have your meals after exploring the vast area when exit from Cultural Promenade.
Standing seven feet tall, Admiral Zheng He towered over his crew at the prow of his legendary treasure ship.(宝船, Bǎo Chuán)
Treasure Boat (Bao-Chuan) is a type of ocean going Chinese Junk which was the largest wooden ships ever built (30 times larger than the Christopher Columbus' flagship, Santa Maria.) |
Zheng He's treasure ships were enormous, with nine masts and four decks capable of accommodating more than 500 passengers, as well as a massive amount of cargo.
Cheng Ho Cultural Museum- located near the entrance of Jonker Street |
Zheng He's journeys took him to 37 countries over 28 years as part of the mightiest fleet that ever sailed, with 300 ships and 28,000 sailors. Setting out six centuries ago on the first of seven landmark voyages, he reached south-east Asia, India, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and as far as the east coast of Africa. Some say he may even have made it to America.
From as early as the 16th Century, when migrants travelled from their home country to Malaya, some began to adopt the local culture and inter-married with the locals. |
The term Baba is an honorific term for a Peranakan male. Strictly speaking a Peranakan-Chinese Baba is a descendant of a Chinese who has had long residence in the Straits, as opposed to the local-born children of nineteenth century Chinese immigrants. Nyonya is term given to a Peranakan female.
The Baba Nyonya are rich in cultural heritage, arts and fashion. A Pak Chindek, and a Sang Kek Um (the wedding masters and mistresses respectively) are most often required because traditions become so elobrate which takes 12 days because of the many rituals and process to be observed.
The Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum is located at No. 48-50 along Jalan Tun Cheng Lock in Malacca. That's as far we are allowed to snap a picture. Absolutely no photo or video beyond this point. |
By preserving this house for tourist and students with the hope to honour the Peranakan spirit, keeping it alive for many generations to come! The house was well maintained, beautiful and has been passed down from 10 generations.
However it left a bad taste. Photography and videography are not allowed within the museum. Dear Owners: What's your side of the story? I can foresee 99% who filled the visitor feedback form will complain/grumble about the strict no photography policy.
All's Well, Ends Well. Is this a Hotel or Museum? |
We had our incredible nyonya lunch at the The Kapitan Kongsi Hotel and Restaurant during our stay at Melaka town. The hotel is nostalgically housed in Porto Historia, a modern built architecture masterpiece inspired from the late "Straits" Eclectic style between 1910's and 1940's.
Kapitan Kongsi Boutique Hotel owner also an avid collector of Peranakan antiquities, and was very eager to share his priceless collction. The lobby is full of baba nyonya type of furniture and also few classic bikes on display purpose only.
Best of all he's not a stingy person. There's no admission fee here! No ban on photography, people taking pictures all they want.
My exaggerated sis posing, copying Tunku's cries of Merdeka! It is coincidentally happening on the 30th August, Eve of Merdeka. |
Freedom! Attack Attack! Glory glory Man united, Glory glory Man united, Glory glory Man united, As the reds go marching on! |
Bersatu teguh, bercerai roboh. Perlu menjadi pegangan hidup masyarakat Malaysia. "United we stand, divided we fall" is a phrase used in many different kinds of mottos, most often to inspire unity and collaboration.
There are a few stories how Melaka got it's name. This is the most famous.. Look there my king. The cute little Mouse deer kicking the hunting dog into river! |
Anyway, according to Legend this is how the story goes...The last king of Singapore (known as Temasek in the past meaning 'Sea Town' or 'Sea Port') was defeated in one Majapahit naval attack in 1398 and fled north to scout for a new piece of land.
While taking shelter and resting under a tree, he witnessed a strange face off confrontation. During a hunting trip, one of his dogs cornered a mouse deer or known locally as Sang Kancil. In desperate retaliation, the mouse deer kicked the dog on its nose.
The Indian prince was so impressed by mousedeer’s had the guts to fight back.
That encounter give him an inspiration to stir him up, urging him to never give up hope even when the chips are down.
Chinese Proverbs said: "Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up."
Learning from the observations, he take the cue as a good omen to build his new kingdom. Later, he asked a local what's the name of this place?
The local misunderstood him, what he thought were the name of the tree replied that it was called Malacca.
Parameswara decided to established a new kingdom and name the state as Malacca which based from the name of that tree.
If you want to see how a Melaka tree looks like it can be found at Tan Kim Hock Product Centre in Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho. |
Within decades, the new city grew rapidly and became a wealthy hub of international commercial activity. A bustling, cosmopolitan port in Southeast Asia which later attracts as much envy as it attracts admiration of other nations.
For centuries, China has been known with various formal greeting etiquettes in ancient China. Among them the fist and palm salute is quite classic one. Noted that in history, for male Chinese people they considered the left as the important and honorable side. If you are female, the honorble side is the right, and you should do the fist palm salute the other way which should be right-hand on the top.
Hang Li Po (Chinese: 漢麗寶; pinyin: Hàn Lìbǎo, or Wang Lìbǎo) was believed to be the fifth wife of Malaccan Sultan Mansur Shah (reigned 1456-1477). She was bestowed with the Title Hang by the Sultan for her adoption of Malay Customs. She was supposedly daughter of a Ming Emperor Yong Le to marry the reigning Sultan of Melaka, Sultan Mansur Shah in order to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
The Legendary Hang Li Poh's Well (Malay: Perigi Hang Li Poh), also known as King's Well, is a historical water well situated in Bukit Cina. It's is said that this well never dries up even during the drought. |
It is disputed whether Hang Li Po ever existed, as she was never recorded in the Ming Chronicles, nor in the genealogical record of the imperial house of Zhu, the royal family of the Ming dynasty. Prof Khoo: No record of the existance of Princess Hang Li Po; its a myth ... facts instead of myths and legends.
If you're not sure on how to pose, the artist will give you some idea. |
Brief explanation of what the 3D interactive art is about provided |
Many Buddha statues are seen where the Buddha is depicted in meditation pose sheltered by a Naga snake. |
The Buddhist naga has the form of a great cobra, usually depicted with a single head but sometimes with many heads. The naga which is seen sheltering the Buddha while meditating is known as Mucilanda. Mucilanda is believed to have protected the Buddha from the elements like rain and storm after he attained enlightenment.
It is believed that the four weeks after the Buddha began meditating under the Bodhi tree, the heavens darkened for seven days, a heavy rainfall began to pour. The mighty king of the serpents, Mucilanda- the large cobra snake then is said to have emerged from beneath the earth and protected the Buddha with his hood from the monsoon rains.
When the storm stopped, the serpent king Mucilanda assumed his human form, bowed before the Buddha and returned to his palace in joy. The iconographic representation of this Buddhist folklore is known as the Naga Buddha statues.
The Chinese in the olden days pasted the painting of Door Gods on their main door, with the imposing and fierce looking figures hoping will ward off evil spirits. Scary looking ain't he? |
One of the legend on Door Gods comes from a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Wu Cheng-en, the emperor murdered many people on his rise to power. The emperor was unable to sleep peacefully,tormented by the guilt he begin to hear eerie disturbances of spirit outside his palace chamber at night.
When his two generals Chin and Yu-Chih volunteered to stand guard outside his palace entrance, the strange sounds ceased and the emperor no longer felt disturbed. Worried that his general cannot keep awake every night during their long duration, he came up with a brilliant idea. He instructed picture of them to be hung on the door entrance and the replacement guardian worked as well the actual sentinels.
The most famous rock song of all time, "Stairway To Heaven" came into my mind |
Menshen or door gods are divine guardians of doors and gates in Chinese folk religions, used to protect against evil influences or to encourage the entrance of positive ones. Where can they find such a big doors to accommodate the drawing?
Mom and sis do a high 5 in front of Eng Choon Association Menshen Door nearby Jonker Street |
camera-shy deities |
Heavenly Supreme Incense. The famous Incense can be seen from afar |
We also known this Heavenly Supreme Incense depicting its specialty in terms of its size and it could hardly be found in elsewhere in the world except in The Touch City.
Either side of the Hall, there is a long flight of stairs of ‘Stairway to Heaven’, which leads to the Heavenly Supreme Incense. I must say it's a hot day and I did not attempt the climb, so regretfully, I missed out on what might be arguably world’s largest sculpture of a joss stick. My sis and brother in law however did reached the top level.
Next to the temple sits the first truly colossal sculpture of Guord but not idea what this is intended to mean? |
A stele is a stone or wooden slab, generally taller than it is wide, erected in the ancient world as a monument.
A dragon turtle (龙龟, Lóngguī) is a legendary Chinese creature that combines two of the four celestial animals of Chinese mythology: the body of a turtle with a dragon is promoted as a positive ornament in Feng Shui, symbolizing courage, determination, fertility, longevity, power, success, and support.
Bixi, or Bi Xi (Wade–Giles: Pi-hsi), is a figure from Chinese mythology.Eldest of the 9 sons of the Dragon King, he is depicted as a dragon with the shell of a turtle. |
Dragon Turtle in The Touch City unveil the vision statement of The Touch City Founder that was crafted on its stone tablet that emphasizes on importance of living in unity, sincerity, and kindness. It is believed these are the core values to build a peaceful and harmonic living.
After lunch at Mun Restaurant we continue our tour towards the park attraction, we go through a well-lighted man made cave tunnel. When we emerge from the cave, we felt as if we had passed into another world.
Upon arrival in car park, we can see dark clouds on the horizon, we're so sure the rain will spoil our visit. I'd say it's a good omen for the rest of the day with the sudden disappearance of threatening clouds from the sky.
Around the waterfalls, we can also found a majestic standing tall and serene garden Kuan Yin Goddess sculpture.
My suggestion of enhance realistic is to add water pouring out from Goddess vase. |
After walking for 7-steps when he was born, both of his fingers pointed up and down indicating his hope. His hope to be the teacher for every mankind. From this figurine, we wish to bring up the importance of sincerity and perseverance.
As he took his seventh step, with a finger pointing to the sky and another finger to the ground, the prince uttered a gatha, which could be summarized as follows:
“In all of Heaven and Earth,
I am the only one worthy of honor.
I will liberate mankind from
Birth, Old age, Sickness, and Death.”
The lotuses that bloomed at each step of baby Buddha symbolize birth as well as pure and sacred self-cultivation, like the lotus that is never stained by mud. |
A pond with seven concrete lotus stepping stone represent when seven steps forward and at each step a lotus flower appeared on the ground. Two more dragons waited at the base of the waterfall with spitting water out from their mouth.I've lost count of how many dragons featured here.
When Siddhartha was born from the right side of his mother Mahadevi, five-colored lotus flowers in full bloom covered the ground around her, and lotuses sprang up from the ground to support the baby’s feet. The baby Buddha then walked seven steps in the four cardinal directions, and at each step appeared a pure and beautiful lotus blossom.
A bird's-eye view of rotating Kuan Yin Goddess |
Chinese three wise men are Fuk, luk, Sau called Chinese gods or fu lu shou. Three gods are the popular deities of wealth, Prosperity, and Longevity. |
Address:
MC 13, Simpang Gading, Durian Tunggal, 76100 Melaka.
GPS Coordinates:
2°19'48.7"N 102°19'03.6"E
Contact Number:
Operational Hours:
- Mon
- Closed
- Tue
- Closed
- Wed
- Closed
- Thu
- Closed
- Fri
- 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sat
- 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sun
- 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
*Free parking for all vehicles.