Bukit Cina
Encyclopedia
Bukit Cina is a hillside of historical significance in the capital of Malaysian state of Malacca
, Malacca Town
. It is located several kilometers to the north from the historical center of Malacca (Dutch town and Chinatown), but these days, it's surrounded by the modern city on all sides.
, the great granddaughter of the Chinese
Yongle Emperor
, the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty
, was sent to be married to the sultan of Malacca, Sultan Mansor Shah, to seal relations between the two countries. She brought with her a vast retinue (500 sons of ministers and a few hundred handmaidens). The hill, Bukit Cina, a gift from the sultan, was established as their residence. Marine archeology of a shipwreck (Royal Nanhai wreck from about 1460 AD) suggested royal gifts from China, shipped during Sultan Mansor Shah's reign http://www.maritimeasia.ws/exhib01/pages/p015.html http://www.maritimeasia.ws/exhib01/pages/p011.html.
The Well
of Hang Li Po
, which is next to the San Poh Teng Temple) (also known as Sam Po Kong Temple) at the foot of the hill (2.1966°N 102.2562°W), was constructed by Hang Li Po's followers for her personal use but was also an important source of water for much of the town. It was also a prime target for opposition forces, which either poisoned it or tried to hold it for their own use. It was reputed never to have dried up even during droughts. Today, the well has acquired the reputation of a wishing well
and it is believed that anyone who throws a coin into the well will return to Malacca.
Bukit Cina and two adjoining hills today form a Chinese graveyard
covering over 250,000 square metres. With over 12,000 graves, some of which date to the Ming Dynasty, it is said to be the largest Chinese graveyard outside China.
The Admiral's naval visit is recorded in verified Chinese history as compared to the fabled lore of Hang Li Poh's wells. The local government cooks up a legendary tale whereby the wells were dug by the Malay kingdom for the princess bride from China as per the Hikayat Melayu (a local fairy tale book full of legends) as the actual historical details (Admiral Cheng Ho's Expeditionary Naval Force) puts the Malay kingdom's sovereignty in a bad light.
Malacca
Malacca , dubbed The Historic State or Negeri Bersejarah among locals) is the third smallest Malaysian state, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south...
, Malacca Town
Malacca Town
Most tourist attractions are concentrated in its small city centre which encompasses Jonker Walk which houses Malacca's traditional Chinatown that exhibits Peranakan architecture. A Famosa Fort, St. Paul Hill are among the tourist attractions located in the Bandar Hilir, old city area. There are...
. It is located several kilometers to the north from the historical center of Malacca (Dutch town and Chinatown), but these days, it's surrounded by the modern city on all sides.
History
According to the local tradition, in the mid-15th century, princess Hang Li PoHang Li Po
Hang Li Po was the fifth wife of Malaccan Sultan Mansur Shah . It is disputed whether Hang Li Po ever existed since she was never recorded in the Ming Chronicles of the ruling Chinese Ming Dynasty nor in the genealogical record of the imperial house of Zhu, the royal family of the Ming dynasty...
, the great granddaughter of the Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
Yongle Emperor
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
, the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, was sent to be married to the sultan of Malacca, Sultan Mansor Shah, to seal relations between the two countries. She brought with her a vast retinue (500 sons of ministers and a few hundred handmaidens). The hill, Bukit Cina, a gift from the sultan, was established as their residence. Marine archeology of a shipwreck (Royal Nanhai wreck from about 1460 AD) suggested royal gifts from China, shipped during Sultan Mansor Shah's reign http://www.maritimeasia.ws/exhib01/pages/p015.html http://www.maritimeasia.ws/exhib01/pages/p011.html.
The Well
Water well
A water well is an excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, boring or drilling to access groundwater in underground aquifers. The well water is drawn by an electric submersible pump, a trash pump, a vertical turbine pump, a handpump or a mechanical pump...
of Hang Li Po
Hang Li Po
Hang Li Po was the fifth wife of Malaccan Sultan Mansur Shah . It is disputed whether Hang Li Po ever existed since she was never recorded in the Ming Chronicles of the ruling Chinese Ming Dynasty nor in the genealogical record of the imperial house of Zhu, the royal family of the Ming dynasty...
, which is next to the San Poh Teng Temple) (also known as Sam Po Kong Temple) at the foot of the hill (2.1966°N 102.2562°W), was constructed by Hang Li Po's followers for her personal use but was also an important source of water for much of the town. It was also a prime target for opposition forces, which either poisoned it or tried to hold it for their own use. It was reputed never to have dried up even during droughts. Today, the well has acquired the reputation of a wishing well
Wishing well
A wishing well is a term from European folklore to describe wells where it was thought that any spoken wish would be granted. The idea that a wish would be granted came from the idea that water housed deities or had been placed there as a gift from the gods, since water was a source of life and...
and it is believed that anyone who throws a coin into the well will return to Malacca.
Graveyard
A graveyard is any place set aside for long-term burial of the dead, with or without monuments such as headstones...
covering over 250,000 square metres. With over 12,000 graves, some of which date to the Ming Dynasty, it is said to be the largest Chinese graveyard outside China.
Admiral Cheng Ho's Seven Dragon Wells
Admiral Cheng Ho's Seven Wells lie in the foot of the Bukit China, beside the Sam Poh Teng Temple. These wells were dug by Admiral Cheng Ho's Expeditionary Naval Force during their stopover in Melaka during the Ming Dynasty. Bukit China was chosen by the Admiral to be used as the base for his expeditionary force. The Seven Wells are also known as the Dragon's wells according to Feng Shui principles. The local government bulldozed some of these wells during the 50-60s on the excuse of road building. To-date only three wells are left intact and they have never been dried even in the worst of draught.The Admiral's naval visit is recorded in verified Chinese history as compared to the fabled lore of Hang Li Poh's wells. The local government cooks up a legendary tale whereby the wells were dug by the Malay kingdom for the princess bride from China as per the Hikayat Melayu (a local fairy tale book full of legends) as the actual historical details (Admiral Cheng Ho's Expeditionary Naval Force) puts the Malay kingdom's sovereignty in a bad light.