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Resorts & Excursions

  Macau, Resorts & Excursions

Macau: The most famous sight in Macau is probably the ruins of the Church of St Paul’s, originally built in 1602 and rebuilt in 1835 after a disastrous typhoon. The Jesuit citadel of São Paulo do Monte is almost directly in the centre of Macau. It forms the strong central point of the old city wall, and was instrumental in preventing the Dutch from conquering the city in 1622. The 17th-century Guia Fortress stands on the highest point in Macau; its lighthouse is the oldest on the China coast. Standing at 130ft high over the Praia Grande Bay, the Gate of Understanding (designed by Charters Almeida) is a symbolic structure which represents the goodwill between China and Portugal.
The complex of temples known as Kun Iam Tong dates from the time of the Ming Dynasty, about 400 years ago, and contains, amongst other works of art, a small statue of Marco Polo. The oldest Chinese temple in the territory is that of the Goddess A-Ma, which dates back at least six centuries. It has some excellent multicoloured bas-relief stone carvings. The Macau Museum seeks to embody the life of Macau and its people from the first settlement to the present day. The museum contains a vast collection of historic and social memorabilia.
The finest expression of Portuguese architecture is probably the Leal Senado, the Senate Chamber. The Public Library, off the main staircase, and the main chamber itself, are well worth a visit. The Sun Yat Sen Memorial Home, the former residence of the Revolutionary leader who overthrew the Ching Dynasty in 1910, is now a museum. São Domingo’s Church, built in the 17th century, is one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Macau. It has recently reopened after a large-scale renovation programme which has transformed the church. A new Museum of Sacred Art has opened on three floors of the renovated belfry, and is home to 300 works of sacred art that illustrate the history of the Roman Catholic church in Asia. Other churches of interest include those of Santo Agostinho, São Jose and São Lourenco. Opposite Santo Agostinho church is the neo-classical Dom Pedro V Theatre and Macau Club, which still host plays and formal functions. The restored colonial buildings around the sqaure of Santo Agostinho are also worth seeing. Other monuments of note in Macau include those in honour of Jorge Alvares and Vasco da Gama. The Chinese Garden of Lou Lim Ieoc offers a relaxing alternative.
The Macau Tower is an entertainment and convention centre situated on the waterfront on the Nam Van Lakes. The 338m tower is the 10th tallest in the world and provides panoramic views of the region.

Elsewhere: Taipa and Colôane represent Macau’s traditional countryside, with beach resorts, ancestral Chinese villages, and pine-forested hills with nature trails and picnic areas. A lot of 'old' Macau is preserved on the islands, including fishing boat-building yards, colonial mansions, Chinese temples and floating fisherfolk communities.

Taipa: Taipa village is a busy, colourful place with interesting shops and colonial Portuguese offices in narrow streets and alleys, where many traditional crafts are still followed. The Taipa House Museum is a group of five colonial-style houses which have been newly restored and converted. One house is an art gallery; another, furnished in 1920s style, shows how a Macanese family used to live; the other houses contain costumes, crafts and traditional artefacts. Nearby, a small amphitheatre offers typical Macanese entertainment. Pou Tai Un Temple is the largest temple on the islands and has a very good vegetarian restaurant.

Colôane: Colôane has several beaches, as well as Seac Pai Van Park, which has nature trails threading among the hills, and a walk-in aviary with rare and beautiful species. A-Ma Statue has recently been unveiled on the highest point on the island, from which there are spectacular views. Colôane Village has interesting Chinese temples, the Chapel of St Francis Xavier (a classic, Portuguese-style chapel built in 1928) and good restaurants.