 Jonker Walk Night Market, Malacca
Jonker Walk Night Market is a weekly night market that takes place along Jalan Hang Jebat, the main street through Malacca Town. It is located within the core zone of the Malacca Unesco World Heritage Site. Jonker Walk Night Market, the brainchild of the local tourism board, was intended to bring life to the street at night.
Although Jonker Walk Night Market was successful in creating street life on weekends, it also faced criticism, coming from the residents of Jonker Street and nearby streets, as well as from historians and conservationists. Residents lament that since Jonker Walk Night Market was created, they face much difficulty reaching their homes on weekends - the entire street being turned into a pedestrian mall. Also, they complained of the noise, pollution and trash that the night market created. This resulted in some residents of Jalan Hang Jebat moving out. However, in their place come new commercial establishments.
Conservationists and historians were also not particularly enthusiastic about Jonker Walk Night Market. They were critical of the quality of merchandise, which are not reflective of the initial intention of the night market, to showcase heritage products. To them, it was just another night market selling China-made products. So far, the tourist do not seem to mind. And neither do the businesses on market nights.
Getting there
Jonker Walk Night Market happens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday Nights, from about 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. During this time, Jonker Walk is closed to vehicular traffic.
Jonker Walk Night Market (9 July 2005)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Location of Jonker Walk Night Market in Malacca
Jonker Walk Night Market (9 July 2005)
© Timothy Tye using this photo using this photo
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