Sightseeing OverviewThough occupying a relatively small area (around 28 sq km), Macau offers
plenty to see and do - ranging from
Buddhist temples to a
hill-top lighthouse and
war bunker, the
UNESCO World Heritage old city to
panoramic views from the
Macau Tower, and the bright night-time neon of
the casino strip to the excellent
Museu de Macau.
A peninsula of the Chinese mainland, Macau’s
architectural and
cultural legacy of four centuries as a
Portuguese colony lives on. The tiled
street names are written in both
Portuguese and
Chinese characters, white and
blue azulejo tiles adorn courtyards and gardens, and Macanese restaurants in renovated villas serve up a spicy blend of Portuguese cooking, Chinese ingredients and African spices.
As Macau expands its tourism infrastructure,
Old and
New Macau are
clearly divisible. The sky-reaching
new city is being built on swathes of reclaimed land and features integrated
Vegas-style casino resorts, the
Fisherman’s Wharf theme park and
Macau Tower.
The centerpiece of
Old Macau is the enchanting
Senado Square - a classic Portuguese plaza and gateway to the
UNESCO-protected historic city. From here, several
market streets lead off in each direction, notable for their traditional
Chinese pharmacies, dried fish stores, bakeries and
Portuguese cafes.
The pillar-box red doorways and shuttered windows of
Rua da Felicidade (Happiness Street) mark the spot where visiting
sailors used to spend raucous nights in search of
wine, women and
song.
Tourist InformationMacau Government Tourist Office (MGTO)12/F, Alameda Dr Carlos d’Assumpcao 335-341
Tel: 2831 5566
or 2833 3000 (tourist hotline).
Website:
www.macautourism.gov.mo.
Other useful websites are:
www.macauheritage.com and
www.gov.mo The MGTO is charged with overseeing and assisting all aspects of tourism in Macau, and has 18 overseas branches (including China; Hong Kong; Japan; Singapore; Thailand; India; Australia; New Zealand; United States; Germany; Portugal; United Kingdom and France). It produces an excellent range of English language maps, tourism brochures and walking tours. Its branch office on Senado Square features an information office, gift store and Internet access.
PassesThere are currently no sightseeing passes for Macau.
Key Attractions:Senado Square
This photogenic set-piece Portuguese plaza features several stunning facades in pastel tones of lemon and raspberry, plus the stone grey neo-classical Correios e Telegrafos - one of Asia’s finest post office buildings. The architectural highlight is the magnificent Leal Senado municipal chambers, replete with arched courtyards and blue and white patterned
azulejo tiles. Other eye-catching edifices are the Holy House of Mercy and the splendid Sao Domingos Church.
Access via Avenida Almeida Ribeiro, Central Macau
Historic Old CityAscribed UNESCO World Heritage status in 2005, the old city has eight squares and 22 historic buildings. The narrow lanes, markets and sloping cobbles combine the architectural drama of backstreet Porto and the bustling energy, cooking smells and Cantonese dialect of southern China. The ruined façade of the Sao Paulo church can be found adjacent to the fascinating Museu de Macau and the cannons of the Monte Fort. A short walk away is the pleasant Camões Garden, named after Portugal’s favorite poet, Luís de Camões.
Central Macau
Macau Tower
Dominating a slab of reclaimed land and the man-made Sai Van and Nam Van lakes, the 333m- (1992ft-) high
Macau Tower is Asia’s third-tallest television tower. The views across Macau to the Chinese mainland, and over Taipa Island towards Coloane, from the 61st floor observation deck are spectacular. Here too, adventure sports enthusiasts can take a tumble from the world’s highest bungy jump, skywalk the tower’s perimeter or climb to its summit. The adjacent convention and entertainment center includes cafes, a history museum and a Warner Brothers Studio Store.
Largo da Torre de Macau, South Macau
Tel: 9888 656.
Website:
www.macautower.com.mo A-Ma TempleBurning incense and several layers of stone pavilions, gardens, statues and Buddhist and Taoist shrines are dedicated to A-Ma, a sea goddess after whom Macau is named: the temple is called
A-Ma Gao (Place of A-Ma). A pleasant and spiritual atmosphere is frequently punctured by the ear-splitting bursts of firecrackers to frighten away evil spirits.
Rua de Barra and Rua de Sao Tiago de Barra, South Macau
The Cotai Strip
The scale of Asia’s answer to Las Vegas is astonishing. Sitting on a strip of reclaimed land linking the islands of Coloane and Taipa (hence the name), Cotai’s highway features palm trees and stone statues depicting the Chinese animals of the zodiac. The first phase of the gaming and leisure district will open in late 2007, when Sheldon Adelson’s Venetian integrated gaming, convention, shopping, dining and hotel resort unlocks its doors. By 2010, it will be joined by the City of Dreams, Galaxy Mega Resort, Macau Studio City and a Cirque de Soleil show theater, plus hotels by Hilton, Conrad, Shangri-La, St Regis, Four Seasons, Hard Rock, Wynn, Fairmont and Raffles. At the Coloane end of the strip is the new 18-hole Orient Golf Club (tel: 2888 0104).
Further Distractions:Fisherman’s Wharf
Occupying a strip of reclaimed land on the western Outer Bay,
Fisherman’s Wharf is both a family theme park and retail and dining center, combining joy rides, casinos, a hotel, restaurants and bars. Phase one (dominated by a giant replica volcano, curiously inset by a replica of Tibet’s Potala Palace) opened in 2006 near to the Macau Ferry Terminal, with a second section currently under construction.
Outer Harbour, East Macau
Tel: 2822 0022.
Website:
www.fishermanswharf.com.mo Guia Hill Fortress and LighthouseBuilt in 1637, the
Guia Lighthouse is still functional. As well as guiding ships through Macanese waters, its high vantage point is also used to warn the city of impending typhoons. Note the faded frescoes inside the chapel building, which were uncovered during renovations. Nearby is a fascinating series of wartime bunkers cut into the hill and a small museum telling the stories of those who served here. A walking path encircles the hill offering views over the city and its bays, and there is also a cable car running down the hillside.
Estrada do Engenheiro Trigo, East Macau
Museu de Macau
Macau’s complex history is neatly chronicled in this excellent museum. The ground floor focuses on the maritime legacies of both China and Portugal and charts the discovery of the territory, and its emergence as a strategic trading port for commodities and foodstuffs. Look out for sections detailing the history of cricket fighting (which presaged Macau’s gambling industry) and the once key firecracker industry, plus historic photos and images from the 1999 handover.
1112 Praceta do Museu de Macau, Central Macau
Tel: 2835 7911.
Website:
www.macaumuseum.gov.mo
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Related China Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
China Airport Guides:
|
China City Guides:
|
| China Attraction Guides: |
|
|
|
|
