Malacca, Malaysia

Malacca is the capital of Malacca State on the southwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, with roughly 930,000 residents across its administrative area. Founded around 1400 by Sumatran prince Parameswara, the port developed into a major trade center under Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule before Malaysia's independence. The 1512 A Famosa fortress gate stands as Asia's oldest surviving European structure, and the red 1641 Stadthuys remains the oldest Dutch building in the region. Along Jonker Street in the UNESCO-listed historic district, Peranakan shophouses display Baba-Nyonya heritage, craft shops, and night market food stalls.