It is traditionally believed that Malaysia began with the founding of Malacca by a Sumatran prince named Parameswara. The state flourished under the Malacca Sultanate and attracted traders from China, India, Arabia and Europe. Malacca came under successive colonial eras when it was conquered by the Portuguese, followed by Dutch and British. These colonial powers left many beautiful buildings in Malacca. One of the magnificent buildings is the red-coloured Stadthuys (Statehouse). It is situated in the center of Malacca Town and is believed to be the oldest Dutch building in the East. Stadthuys was built in 1650 as the official residence of the Dutch Governors and its officers. It is a fine example of Dutch architectural and woodwork skills. Today, it houses the Museum of Malacca, displaying artifacts such as traditional bridal costumes and authentic relics from Malacca's glorious past. The nearby Malacca Clock Tower and fountain that was dedicated to Queen Victoria Regina in 1904 are popular for photography. .
Another beautiful and historical place is Kellie's Castle which is located in Batu Gajah, Perak. About 30 minutes drive from lpoh, it is believed that Kellie's Castle has hidden rooms and a secret tunnel. Kellie's Castle belonged to William Kellie Smith, a Scottish rubber tycoon during the late 19th century. Just like the Taj Mahal, Kellie's Castle was built as a castle of love for Smith's wife. Because of his fascination with the Hindu religion and the Indian culture, Smith wanted his house to share similar architecture to those of Madras, by importing bricks and tiles from India. He even employed a big group of Indian laborers to build his dream house, to keep the house authentically Indian. Among the many amazing things about Kellie's Castle include an elevator (the one built in Kellie's Castle is the first in Malaysia, then known as Malaya) and the existence of two secret tunnels that run under the river nearby.