The Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower is a heritage landmark standing within Dutch Square (Stadthuys) in the heart of Melaka's UNESCO World Heritage zone. Built in 1886, the 50-foot red structure was commissioned by Tan Jiak Kim, a wealthy Peranakan Chinese philanthropist, to fulfil the wish of his late father Tan Beng Swee, who had dreamed of a clock tower in the centre of Melaka. The tower stands near Queen Victoria's Fountain, the Cheng Ho Cultural Museum, and Christ Church.
Each of the four clock faces, measuring 34.5 centimetres in diameter with Roman numerals, was originally imported from England, manufactured by Smith and Sons Clockmakers of London. In 1982, the original mechanisms were replaced with Seiko clocks from Japan, a decision that caused considerable upset among Melaka's senior citizens who still recalled the harsh treatment suffered during the Japanese Occupation. The clock is now maintained by the Historical Melaka City Council (MBMB), equipped with a 24-volt system and GPS synchronisation to ensure accurate timekeeping.
The clock tower is maintained by a dedicated engineering team from MBMB, with a chief guard overseeing its care. As one of the most photographed structures in Dutch Square, it draws tourists from as early as 8am daily. There is no admission charge to view the tower, which remains accessible at all hours as a public streetscape feature.
17, Jalan Gereja, Banda Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Nice clock tower in Dutch Square, and compliments the other red buildings in the square. Seems to be a gathering point for the large tour groups, so choose your visit time carefully to avoid any unnecessary crowds - unless crowds are your thing!
Suku Samuel
Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower is a beautiful historic landmark in Dutch Square, Malacca. Built in 1886 to honour Tan Beng Swee, it is one of the city’s oldest clock towers and a symbol of its Peranakan heritage. I visited it during my Malaysia trip to Malacca, and it was a great spot to experience the city’s history and vibrant atmosphere.
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Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower
Cheng Ho Sayang Guest House
Traditional-style building with red-tiled roof, white balcony adorned with pink flowering vines, and signage in English and Chinese. A satellite dish and utility poles are visible nearby.
Hard Rock Cafe
Red-lit exterior of Hard Rock Cafe at night, with signage visible on the building facade.
Melaka Clock Tower and Christ Church
Red colonial architecture under clear blue sky, with tourists walking nearby. No shop fronts or menus visible.
Historic Ruins with Cannons and Visitors
An ancient stone archway ruin surrounded by greenery, with two cannons on either side. A few visitors are present under a canopy. No shop signage or menus visible.
Church of St. Francis Xavier
White Gothic-style church with twin spires, arched entrance, and a large rose window. A motorcyclist passes by the gated entrance. Malaysian flag flies near the archway.
Melaka 2024 Festival Scene
Nighttime view of a riverside area with illuminated signage reading 'VISIT Melaka 2024'. Trees and buildings are lit with colorful lights; a bridge spans the water, and people are visible in the background. No shop front or menu clearly identifiable.
Street Scene with Tree and Bicycle
Two people sit near a large tree; one wears a straw hat, the other stands beside a decorated bicycle with pink umbrellas and stuffed toys. A red building with arched windows and manicured bushes forms the background.
Street Scene with Murals and Lanterns
Colorful street with painted buildings, red lanterns hanging overhead, green trees, and people walking. Banners strung between buildings under a bright blue sky.
Nighttime Urban Scene
A wet, reflective street at night with a prominent clock tower and traditional-style building in the background. Bright streetlights illuminate trees and parked cars. No shop fronts or menus visible.
Riverfront Street Scene
A sunny day along a river with brick-paved walkway, yellow railing, and buildings adorned with Malaysian flags. A vintage street lamp stands near the water's edge. No shop front or menu visible.
Red Clock Tower and Sculpture
A red clock tower with white shutters stands beside a large red heart sculpture and trimmed greenery under an overcast sky.
Public Square with Red Clock Tower
A red clock tower stands in a paved plaza surrounded by greenery and trees. People stroll around the area, some near a white sculpture. In the background are buildings with orange-tiled roofs and parked cars. No shop fronts or menus visible.
Nighttime urban scene with clock tower and street lighting
A wet, reflective pavement under bright streetlights at night. A red brick clock tower stands on the left, with a traditional-style building in the background. Trees and modern buildings are visible, along with pedestrians and vehicles. No shop front signage or menus clearly visible.
Fountain in Melaka
A stone fountain with water jets, surrounded by trees and red buildings with 'MELAKA' signage. A tall columned structure dominates the center. People are seated nearby under umbrellas.
Melaka Historical District
Red colonial buildings with clock tower and 'MELAKA' signage, surrounded by tourists, vehicles, and greenery under partly cloudy sky.
Nighttime Urban Square with Clock Tower
A nighttime view of a public square featuring a red brick clock tower, illuminated trees, and pedestrians walking on tiled pavement. Background includes lit buildings and streetlights.
Public Square with Fountain and Clock Tower
A central fountain with water jets, surrounded by tiled pavement. In the background, a red brick clock tower stands beside trees and pedestrians. A street scene includes cars, shops with visible signage, and people walking or sitting. No clear menu boards or shop front entrances are legible.
Street Art Walkway
Colorful mural-covered buildings line a paved walkway with trees. People stroll along the path, some in groups. No shop signage or menus visible.
Windmill with Malaysian Flag
A white windmill structure surrounded by greenery under a clear blue sky, with a Malaysian flag waving above. No shop signage or menus visible.
Outdoor Park Scene with Windmill
A large decorative windmill stands in a landscaped park area with red flowering plants, trimmed hedges, and palm trees under a partly cloudy sky. A person walks nearby on a paved path. In the background, a red-roofed building is partially visible. Foreground includes tree branches and a parked car.
Street Art Building Facade
Vibrant, colorful mural art covering building exterior with abstract geometric and stylized patterns. Trees and bunting flags line the street. Pedestrians walk along sidewalk. No shop signage or menu visible.
Stone Arch Structure by Water
A large stone archway structure stands beside a body of water under a partly cloudy sky. Trees and buildings are visible in the background, with no shop signage or menus present.
Red Building with Cannon and Greenery
A red building with blue-trimmed windows, a tiled roof entrance, and surrounding green trees and bushes. A black cannon is displayed in the foreground on a paved area. A purple car is parked nearby.
Melaka Street Scene
Red colonial buildings including a clock tower and Christ Church Melaka under partly cloudy sky. Pedestrians, street vendors with umbrellas, and parked cars visible. No shop signage or menus clearly readable.
Decorated rickshaws in front of pink building
Colorful, ornate rickshaws with floral and cartoon decorations parked on a street in front of a large pink building with arched windows and red-tiled roof. A man stands beside one rickshaw. No shop signage or menu visible.
Museum Islam Melaka
Red-painted heritage building with wooden balcony and entrance, featuring a sign reading 'MUSEUM ISLAM MELAKA'. Decorative stonework on walls, plants along the fence, and multiple posters/flyers on the door.
Outdoor Plaza with Buildings and Trees
A sunny day at a paved plaza with red brick flooring, surrounded by green trees and buildings. A pink-roofed structure on the right has stairs and white railings; to its left is a white building with signage reading 'BANJAR'. A circular flower bed with colorful blooms sits in the center. People are walking nearby. No shop front or menu visible.
Nighttime decorative scene
Landscape featuring illuminated statues of a turquoise bull and a pink ox, alongside a red-lit windmill sculpture. Greenery surrounds the area under night lighting with trees in background. A building facade is partially visible behind the decorations.
Red Clock Tower in Urban Square
A tall red clock tower with white shutters and a tiled roof stands in an open plaza. People walk around it on a paved area under overcast skies. Nearby buildings include modern structures and shops with visible signage, including 'WELCOME TO SHOPPING AT KERI'. A lamppost and trees are also present.
Outdoor Public Area with Windmill and Building
A public space featuring a white windmill adorned with Malaysian flags, surrounded by greenery and shrubs. Behind it stands a light-blue colonial-style building with red-tiled roof. A pedestrian walks on the sidewalk near orange traffic signs. No shop front or menu visible.
Windmill in Park
A white windmill surrounded by greenery and colorful flowers, with palm trees and buildings in the background.
Sailboat Display at Sunset
A large historical sailing ship replica illuminated at dusk, set against a twilight sky with scattered clouds and trees in the background. No shop fronts, menus, or printed materials visible.
Historic Fort Wall with Visitors
An ancient stone fort wall under a clear blue sky, with visitors standing near a modern building in the background. Trees frame the scene, and grass covers the foreground.
Park Scene with Fountain and Buildings
A vibrant outdoor scene featuring a central fountain, red-roofed buildings, lush greenery, and pink flowering plants under a clear blue sky. People are visible in the background enjoying the area.
Street scene with Hello Kitty rickshaws and red building
Decorated rickshaws with Hello Kitty themes parked on a street in front of a large red colonial-style building. People are walking nearby, one person is riding a rickshaw. A green bus labeled 'Linhong Gallery' is visible in the background.
Outdoor Park Scene with Windmill and Red Building
A miniature windmill surrounded by greenery and yellow flowers, in front of a red building with visible windows and a bus nearby. People are walking around the area. Trees and a lamppost are also present.
Outdoor architectural scene with trees and buildings
A street view featuring a red-roofed building with stairs, surrounded by green trees under a clear blue sky. A white colonial-style building is visible in the background. A person stands near the steps. Road markings and a helmet are partially visible in foreground.
Decorated Bicycle Rides in Front of Pink Building
Colorful, heart-shaped floral decorations with Hello Kitty and Pikachu motifs adorn bicycles parked on a tiled street. A man sits on one bike, wearing a cap and vest. Behind them is a large pink building with white windows and arched doorways. No shop signage or menu visible.
Tourists on a pathway near historic buildings
People walking along a curved path with umbrellas, surrounded by green grass and traditional red-tiled buildings. Trees and urban background visible.
Fountain in Urban Setting
A golden ornate fountain with water jets, set against a backdrop of buildings with orange-tiled roofs and a cloudy sky. A police car is partially visible on the left. No shop signage or menu items are clearly readable.
Outdoor Public Space with Building and Trees
A wide-angle view of a landscaped area with a large tree in the foreground, green hedges, and a central building with a tiled roof and white walls. Several people on motorbikes are visible on the road. The sky is clear blue. No shop signage or menus are clearly readable.
Nighttime waterfront scene with illuminated structures
A vibrant night scene featuring a red-lit pavilion on water, neon signs including 'YOU DO YOU', and adjacent buildings with balconies and arched windows. Reflections of lights shimmer on the water's surface. Cars are parked nearby; people are visible but not clearly identified as staff or customers.
Red Clock Tower with Flower Beds and Trees
A red brick clock tower under cloudy skies, surrounded by orange marigold flowers and trimmed trees. People are visible nearby, including a child in a panda costume. A large red heart sculpture is partially seen on the right.
Melaka Tourism Entrance
Building with traditional architecture, orange-tiled roof, and signage in Malay/Arabic. Front features landscaped garden, directional signs, and tourist information center. Visible posters include 'Tahmid' and 'Visit Melaka 2019'.
Nighttime fountain and church view
A large ornate fountain with water jets at center, illuminated at night. Behind it stands a red-brick building with 'CHURCH' signage and a cross. People are visible walking or standing nearby. No shop front, menu, or printed material clearly identifiable.
Hard Rock Cafe exterior at night
Nighttime view of a Hard Rock Cafe building with illuminated signage, people gathered outside, trees lit in purple and pink, and a banner reading 'FREE' below the cafe sign.
Traditional Chinese Temple Facade
Exterior view of a traditional Chinese temple with ornate roof, red lanterns, and carved wooden pillars. A person is visible inside the courtyard. No shop signage or menu items are clearly legible.
Riverfront Scene with Buildings and Trees
A canal with boats, flanked by colorful buildings, trees, and outdoor seating areas under umbrellas. No shop signage or menus clearly visible.
Public Park with Floral Gardens
Lush garden beds with pink flowers and deep purple foliage, surrounded by walking paths and trees. People are seen strolling or standing in the background near buildings with red-tiled roofs. No shop front, menu, or printed materials clearly visible.