The well was built in 1459 by the followers of Hang Li Poh as the main water source in the town.
Princess Hang Li Poh was married to the reigning Sultan Mansor Shah in mid-15th century for the polite ties in between China and Malacca. The well was then built under the royal command of Sultan Mansur Shah for Princess Hang Li Poh at the foot of Bukit Cina – a Chinese settlement offered by the Sultan to the Princess as a present.
It was said that after Melaka was dominated by the Portuguese, the Javanese poisoned the water in the well and many Portuguese soldiers passed away after consuming water out of the well. In 1677, throughout the Dutch guideline, the Dutch enclosed the well within stout walls to maintain their rights to the well.
Hang Li Po came to Malacca along with 500 (sons of ministers) and various other female assistants, lots of assistants later on married authorities serving Sultan Mansur Shah as Hang Li Po married the Sultan after she accepted conversion to Islam. After their marriage, the sultan constructed a palace for Hang Li Po and her assistants were given a long-term home at Chinese Hill.
Today it is developed into a wanting well. It is thought that whoever tosses coins into the well or consume its water will go back to Melaka time and once more.
