Unique and distinctive Macau is one of China’s most interesting cities to visit. With its Sino-Portuguese heritage, this city makes for one of Asia’s most unusual destinations. Glitzy yet sedate, Macau offers travelers not only its casinos but its relaxed and laidback atmosphere as well, with its cobbled stoned alleys, majestic churches, beautiful colonial buildings and Mediterranean-styled cafes. A great vacation destination for all including families.
Macau has fabulous shopping malls, theme parks, towers and bridges, making visiting this city an exciting experience for all who come here. The best time to visit Macau is in the autumn from October to December, when the humidity is low and there is plenty of sunshine. Another reason to visit Macau in December is to celebrate Winter Solstice, when the entire city is illuminated with bright lights and decorations.
Although Macau is a small place, there is plenty to see, do and discover in this city. With some for everyone, Macau has quiet village squares, bustling downtown markets and the exciting atmosphere of its casinos for all to visit and absorb. The perfect blend of eastern culture and western architecture, visiting Macau is indeed an interesting experience! From ancient Chinese temples and pagodas to beautifully styled colonial buildings Macau is a great place to visit.
Places to visit
A-Ma Temple
The striking A-Ma Temple was built over 500 years ago and is dedicated to the Goddess of the sea, A-Ma or Tin Hau. Built before the arrival of the Portuguese, the name Macau was taken from the word A-Ma. At the main entrance of the temple is a large boulder with an engraved ‘lorcha’ or traditional Chinese sailing vessel.
Leal Senado
Located in the Largo do Senado or Senate Square on its southern side is the Leal Senado or Senate Building. This beautiful building is a magnificent piece of Portuguese architecture built around neo-classical lines and has a paneled Senate Chamber, a 16th century library and an interior courtyard decorated in classic Portuguese ‘azulejo’ tiling. The area around the Leal Senado also has a number of churches including the 17th century Sao Domingos Church which is home to the image of Our Lady of Fatima, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful and interesting churches in Macau.
Guia Fort
Located close to the Lou Lim Ioc Gardens atop Guia Hill is the Guia Fort. This fort sits on the Macau peninsula’s highest point and is topped by a chapel and one of the oldest lighthouses on the Chinese coast built in 1865. A long walk to the top, visitors can go up by cable car ride. A visit to this fort provides stunning and panoramic views of the entire surrounding Macau area.
Lou Lim Ioc Gardens
Of the many gardens in Macau, the Lou Lim Ioc Gardens are exceptionally beautiful and is definitely worth a visit. This Chinese-styled garden has been landscaped to resemble a Chinese painting with its ornamental pathways surrounding an ornately arched mansion. With both European and Chinese plants planted here, this garden has a variety of lotus ponds, pavilions, groves and grottoes. A shady retreat amidst the city, this garden and its mansion once belong to the wealthy Lou family which has now become a school.
Kun Iam Temple
One of the most interesting Buddhist temples in Macau, the Kun Iam Temple was built by Buddhist monks in 1627. An active temple with many visitors, Kun Iam is also a historic site as the first trade and friendship treaty between the US and China was signed here in 1844.
Ruinas de Igreja São Paulo/ Ruins of St. Paul’s
Built in 1602, this church was one of the grandest Catholic churches ever built in the East. Destroyed by a fire in 1835, only the façade of this Jesuit church now remains. Built by the early Japanese Christian exiles, St. Paul’s is a reminder of Macau’s glorious past. Upon closer inspection of the building’s façade, its stone detail incorporates the fundamentals of Christian faith and Chinese characters and symbols representative of Japan. A spectacular sight when lit up at night, the Ruinas de Sao Paulo is a must see when in Macau. There is a museum in the cathedral's former nave, which houses a piece of St. Francis Xavier's arm bone and the tomb belonging to the cathedral's builder, Father Alessandro Valignano.
Sun Yat Sen Memorial Home
Sun Yat Sen Memorial Home is a Moorish-style house that pays homage to the founder of the Chinese Republic. It is said that Sun Yat Sen practiced medicine in Macau for several years before turning to revolution. The memorial home houses an assortment of old flags, photos and relics of Sun Yat Sen.
Taipa House Museum
Sitting along the Taipa seafront are five Portuguese colonial houses that overlook the ocean. Renovated and restored, these architecturally beautiful buildings were once the home of aristocratic Portuguese but have become the Taipa House Museum. With an art gallery, an amphitheatre, this museum also displays the early and recent history of Macau, Taipa and Coloane under Portuguese.
Coloane Island
It is said that Coloane was a pirate island until 1910, however nowadays it is the perfect retreat for golfers, hikers and beach lovers. Providing an atmosphere of old Macau with its narrow lanes, sheds and temples, Coloane Island is also home to The Chapel of St Francis Xavier, the former home of the saint’s relic now housed in Sao Paulo Museum. With two beautiful beaches complete with a yacht club, this island also has some great hiking trails that lead to the top of a 176m mountain topped with a statue of A-Ma.
