Bukit Cina

Bukit Cina @ Chinese Hill

Largest and oldest traditional Chinese cemetery outside of mainland China. It covers about 42 hectares in the centre of the city. This cemetery is believed to have dated back to 1622 (Ming Dynasty) and it houses 12 000 graves.

Bukit Cina dates back to the 15th century when Princess Hang Li Po was believed to have married a Sultan of Malacca and her residence was at the foot of Bukit Cina. This site became a cemetery when a Chinese Kapitan (Head of the Chinese community) named Lee Wei King bought this hill from the Dutch and donated it to the Chinese community.

It is a historical park today.

Walking up the hill

I learnt about Tudigong today!

The Tudigong for the above photo is on the left and it is guarding the grave on the right.

Tudigong or Tudi (Soil Ground) refers to the deity of the Landlord God or Earth God. A small altar for Tudigong is usually part of a Chinese grave and it located beside it.  It provides protection for its resident. 

Every grave has a Tudi next to it!

After the stairs have ended, there is a carved out track between graves so it is easy to walk about and not have to accidentally step on any graves. 

The Chinese believe that a tomb should be furnished with all things that were essential to status in life. Animal figures were created to serve and protect. 

A great view of Malacca at the top of the hill

Eng Choon Communal Ritual Tomb

Erected by the Eng Choon community in 1873 for ritualistic ceremonies. It is the only tomb on top of Bukit Cina. 

This is a grand graveyard with 2 tall pillars with guardians on top.

This part of the hill is very pretty. Little purple wild flowers blooming everywhere.

I was actually trying to spot the Tudi for every grave!

This grave is a couple grave. However only one side has a name. The other side is still blank; meaning the spouse is still living.

The old (in front) and the new (at the back). I wondered how old is this tombstone which is half buried into the soil. 

This is a kapitan's grave. The only grave that has steps leading up to it. 

It was an intriguing walkabout. Serene. Pretty. Historical. Plenty of old trees. Many engravings on the tombstones have faded. Time have worn them out. I would have loved to hear stories behind each grave; wish there was a caretaker who could fill me in. I tried searching for the ancient tombs but could not find them. Found a lot of half buried ones and some almost invisible through the greens.