Small village in Mini Malaysia Park is definitely worth to visit. If you’re keen to learn about Malay traditional house in Malaysia, this is the place where you can view all 13 state house in one visit.
Taman Mini Malaysia & Mini Asean
Mini Malaysia is the first place I visit when I come to Melaka via Ayer Keroh exit (toll plaza) from PLUS highway. It’s roughly 2km from the toll. It’s not hard to find this place if you follow the brown signboard direction.
If you plans to visit more places, you can stay at Melaka town at discount price of accommodation. Please visit Melaka Hotels for more information.
Carpark is FREE but it’s limited on public holiday. There are few shop for your handicraft selection.
It was more than 10 years since my last visit. That time, the entrance is not like this beautiful. Entrance fees if not mistaken is below RM5. However, the entrance fees today is RM12.
It’s worthwhile if you explore into each state house to understand their design by master builders. The interiors are originally decorated to keep the ambience intact.
PERLIS Long Roofed House
This type of house slowly becoming extinct. The house dates back more than 70 years. The Perlis Long Roofed House is made from ‘Cengal’ and ‘Damar laut’ wood. Its walls are made from flattened bamboo strips interwoven in a pattern. Its roofing is made of sago or ‘Nipah’ palm and at times, Senggora tiles.
Penang Long Roofed House
There are different types of traditional Malay house can be found in Penang such as the Long Roofed House, ‘Rumah Serambi’ and ‘Rumah Serambi Gajah Menyusu’. ‘Serambi means verandah and ‘Gajah Menyusu’ means an elephant suckling her young.
Kedah Long Roofed House
The location of Kedah and Perlis makes the shape of the Kedah Long Roofed House and Perlis Long Roofed House almost similar except for the arrangement of the various sections of the house.
Perak Long Roofed House
The traditional Malay house in Perak is called the ‘Rumah Kutai’. ‘Kutai’ means old. Rumah Kutai only located by the banks of the Perak River. The main materials used are wood and bamboo. Wood is used for the posts and roof framework whilst the walls and floor are made of bamboo and the roof covering is from the sago palm.
Selangor Long Roofed House
The Selangor house dating back more than 60 years can still be found in the federal capital of Kuala Lumpur. These houses closely resemble those in Malacca and Negeri Sembilan due to their historical ties.
Negeri Sembilan Long Roofed House
It’s simply can be recognized by the design of the roof. It is the only house on the Malay to have a curved roof reminiscent of the Minangkabau roof of Sumatra. They are long and at the two ends of the roof are the gable ends, which arch upwards. The house is much smaller compare to other traditional house.
Malacca Long Roofed House
It can still be found in the whole of Malacca today. It is only traditional Malay housed which mainly can be recognized by its glazed and multicoloured tiles on the staircases which are imported from Europe and China. Flowers are a common motif. The house evinces a mixture of architectural influences, which mainly adopted from the traditional Chinese house.
Johore Five Roofed House
The traditional Malay House in Johore well known as ‘Rumah Limas Bugis’ or Bugis Five-Roofed House. The house style is influenced by the Bugis of Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is easily recognized by the long ridged roof, which is joined to four ridges, which project outwards to the four edges of the roof. The special about it is the edge of the roof is decorated with carvings.
Kelantan Long Roofed House
Traditional Malay house in Kelantan can be found in two types. They are the Single house and the Twelve Post House. The architecture of both does not differ greatly. The Twelve Post House still can be found in several villages as well as in Kota Bahru and dates back about 100 years.
Terengganu Five Roofed House
One of the traditional Malay houses are found in Terengganu is the’ Rumah Limas Bungkus’, which means five-roofed house. It is popular among the Terengganu Malays since the 20th century. Unfortunately, none are found today and those exist today date back only 40 or 50 years. The house can be easily recognized. The roof consists of a straight central ridge with four shorter ridges projecting down to the four edges of the roof. The edging immediately beneath the roofing is decorated with wooden carvings.
Pahang Long Roofed House
Architecturally, traditional houses in Pahang have more common with those of the west coast states, perhaps because the Bugis, a seafaring people from Sulawesi built many of the earliest houses. The traditional Malay house in Pahang is known as ‘Rumah Serambi Pahang’. This particular type is increasingly becoming extinct. However, it can still be found in several villages in Pahang.
Rumah Dusun Lutud (SABAH traditional house)
Rumah panjang SARAWAK (SARAWAK traditional house)
There are 12 traditional houses from ASEAN countries such as BRUNEI, SINGAPORE, INDONESIA, LAOS, MYANMAR, FILIPINA, THAILAND, CAMBODIA, VIETNAM and etc which I didn’t go due to it’s not open (door locked).
Other than houses, there are few hanging bridge around for fun and skytrek platform. Horse riding is available as well. I spent roughly 2 hours wandering around the park. It’s fun and relaxing although the weather is hot. I recommend to wear simple and bring an umbrella.
For hotel reservation and holiday package in Melaka, please contact us at:
World Heritage Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.,
Tel: 06-2817388
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Email: sales@woldheritage.com.my