Although Macau is a small region (it’s the Special Administrative Region or SAR of China), there are plenty to see here. If you have read my very first post (READ: First-time in Macau), you will already find there that I have mentioned a number of landmarks and tourist spots. Yes, they may be the touristy areas, that is true, but they also have interesting stories to tell that is why it is good to visit them.
And if you are wondering how to plan your trip to Macau, my previous post (READ: Macau for First-time Travelers) might be a good place to start. Then, to plan your itinerary, you can have this checklist of landmarks that you might want to visit. These 15 things to do in Macau will make your stay a more interesting one.
1.) Examine the bas-relief at the Ruins of St. Paul’s
The façade of St. Paul Church, what remains of all the calamities it faced throughout the years, is the most iconic structure in Macau. Indeed, the thin façade that is still intact, while the rest of the structure was reduced into rubble, is a sight to behold, especially that it stood regally on top of the steps.
The design on the façade has five layers. The first layer at the bottom has 10 columns with three doors and a text “MATER DEI” embossed on the top of the center door frame and “IHS” Jesuit emblem on top of the frames of each side doors. “Mater Dei” means Mother of God. The second layer has three windows directly atop the three doors as well an extension of the 10 columns. In between these windows are enshrined in four tabernacles the statues of the four Jesuits who are doctors of the church, namely, Blessed Francisco de Borja, Jesuit founder St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, and Blessed Luís Gonzaga. The third and middle layer has the statue of the Virgin Mary right at the center, surrounded by flowers and three angels on each side and a head of a cherubim at the top. At the right portion of this layer are carvings of a tree, a seven-headed dragon, a Japanese inscription and a skeleton; while the left side has the image of a ship and then the devil. The fourth layer has the child Jesus at the center. He is surrounded by a ladder, whip, crown of thorns, nails and other things that were used during his passion and crucifixion. There is an angel on each end of this layer. The topmost and fifth layer has a dove at the middle, representing the Holy Spirit, surrounded by stars and with the sun at the left and the moon at the right.
This church was built by the Jesuits in the 17th century, which adjoined the Jesuit school, which is the College of St. Paul. Behind the ruins lie the Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt that houses religious artifacts from various convents and churches in Macau. Near the Ruins of St. Paul’s is the Macao Museum, Mount Fortress, Na Tcha Temple, and Section of the Old City Wall.
2.) Shop around Senado Square
Filled with historical buildings with Portuguese architecture and accentuated by a wave-pattern cobble stone streets, the Senado Square (often referred to as Largo do Senado or Leal Senado) is a beauty be it day or night. The buildings are adapted into modern use while retaining their original design and most now house shops, eateries, and other commercial establishments. That is why, do not be surprised to find throngs of people in Senado Square no matter what time of the day.
Although there is a route from the Senado Square that leads to the Ruins of St. Paul’s, the vicinity of the square itself is an interesting venue to explore. Within the square are attractions: a huge fountain where the bronze statue of Portuguese soldier Vicente Nicolau de Mesquita once stood; the General Post Office building; the Cathedral; Holy House of Mercy; Kuan Tai Temple and St. Dominic’s Church. Across the square is the Leal Senado Building. Behind it is the St. Augustine Church, Dom Pedro V Theatre, and St. Joseph Seminary.
The Avenida de Almeida is lined with old buildings. Explore the tiny streets and you might stumble into the Rua de Felicidade or Happiness Street, which used to be a red light district but now, the interesting two-story building with red doors and windows house restaurants and shops.
3.) Appreciate art at Bairro de S. Lazaro (St. Lazarus Quarter)
Colorful colonial buildings and Portuguese pavements form a picture of the neighborhood of the St. Lazarus parish. Found in this district is the St. Lazarus Church, one of the tree oldest churches in Macau. Here you will also find: the Holy House of Mercy or the Santa Casa da Misericordia Albergue that now a compound with a library, art space, and a restaurant; Fantasia 10; the Chui Lok Chi Mansion that is now art space Tai Fung Tong Art House; Escola de Musica; and Macau Fashion Gallery, among many others.
A few blocks from the St. Lazarus quarter are interesting sites like the Vasco da Gama Garden, Tap Seac Gallery, Tap Seac Square, Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial House, and the Lou Lim Ieoc Garden. Walk further towards the east and you will find the Guia Fortress.
4.) Ride a Cable Car to the Guia Fortress, Lighthouse and Chapel
The Guia Fortress is located in an elevated portion in Macau, the highest in the peninsula, which looks out to the sea, an ideal site for a lighthouse. In the early 17th century, the fortress was built while the lighthouse was erected in the 19th century. Right next to the lighthouse is a chapel, built in the 17th century.
The entire hill is a good place to exercise as workout equipment are found throughout the vicinity, as well as hiking trails and sports areas. It also has a Flora Garden where you will also find a mini-zoo and aviary. See the area from a bird’s eye-view as you take the cable car from the Avenida Sidonio Pais. One-way ticket costs MOP2.00 a person while round-trip ticket costs MOP3.00 per head.
5.) Watch arriving and departing travelers at the Border Gate
The Border Gate, located at the northernmost part of the peninsula, is the gateway to Zhuhai in Guangdong Province of mainland China. A gate tower once stood here as a frontier post. Although the gate tower was demolished, the stone gate still stood at this immigration checkpoint that goes in and out of China via Macau.
It’s amazing to watch the number of travelers going through this border. This area is a busy one. Many Chinese come to Macau for a day trip while there are foreigners traveling to Macau that also crosses over to the other side through tour agencies. Not all countries allowed in Macau with the need of a prior visa can pass through the border because the Chinese government require prior visa to a lot of travelers.
6.) Skywalk or Skyjump at Macau Tower
It may not be the faint-hearted but many have tried this great adventure at the Macau Tower, which is now a modern icon in Macau’s cityscape. Since December 2001, this 338-meter high structure has been dominating Macau’s skyline. If you are not up to walk around its glass floors or jump from its height, the tower has an observation deck where you can see the rest of Macau and the Pearl River Delta. A revolving restaurant also caters to visitors. Right next to the tower is the Convention and Entertainment Centre that has a cinema, shops, eateries and outdoor plaza.
Macau Tower is open from 10am to 10pm during weekdays and 9am to 10pm on weekends. Tickets at the Tower observation deck, including the Observation Lounge at Level 58 and Adventure Deck at Level 61 are MOP135.00 for adults, MOP70.00 for senior citizens (65 years old and above) and children (3 to 11 years old), and free of charge for infants below 3 years old. But if you prefer the Sky High package, which covers admission ticket with access to fast track lift, Telescope Gold Card, and complimentary snacks and drinks at 180 Lounge, you need to purchase your ticket at T1 ticketing counter from 10am to 6pm (the package can be used from 10am until 7pm). Prices for this package are as follows: Adult – MOP208.00 on weekdays and MOP218.00 on weekends; Child (3 to 11 years old) – MOP110.00 on weekdays and MOP120.00 on weekends.
7.) Hang a prayer at A-Ma Temple
The A-Ma Temple has long existed before the city of Macau was established. The temple was built in the 15th century for the goddess of seafarers, Mazu. There are pavilions here for he Buddhist goddess of Mercy, Kun Iam, and the Taoist goddess of A-Ma or Tin Hau. It is believed that when the Portuguese docked at the harbor near the temple, they asked the locals the name of the place, to which they replied A-Ma-gau or A-Ma-gok, referring to the goddess. The Portuguese then called the place Macau. You can visit the temple from 7am until 6pm. There’s a prayer tree in the compound where prayers are hang on a square steel surrounding a tree.
Across the temple is the Maritime Museum, which is open from 10am until 6pm from Wednesdays till Mondays. Also within walking distance from the temple is the Moorish Barracks, the Mandarin’s House and Lilau Square.
8.) Watch the neon lights at Praca de Ferreira do Amaral
The circular lot with glass structures has a good view of downtown’s skyline. Surrounded by casinos like Grand Lisboa, Hotel Lisboa, MGM Macau, Wynn, Grand Emperor, Mandarin Oriental Macau and many more, the vicinity of the square lights up at night with colorful neon lights. But even during the day, the view of the cityscape in this part of Macau is picturesque. It also has a view of Nam Van Lake.
Praca de Ferreira do Amaral used to have the bronze statue of Macau’s former governor Ferreira do Amaral before it was taken down in 1991 and sent to Portugal. Underneath the green circular plaza with a garden and fountain in the middle is a car park and pedestrian walkways.
9.) Get a glimpse of Europe at Fisherman’s Wharf
Transporting you to Europe, the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf has the Coliseum and other attractions. The strip is lined with restaurants and some shops with the view of the sea and the feel of the breeze to caress you. There are also activities, exhibitions and other events held here every now and then. They have placed a tent on the walkway, which provides protection to pedestrians and guests. At the wharf you will also find three hotels: Harbourview Hotel, Rocks Hotel and Legend Palace Hotel. There are also meetings and conventions facilities in the area.
Located along Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, just near to the Fisherman’s Wharf are the Sands, Handover Gifts Museum of Macao, Macao Museum of Art, amd Macao Cultural Centre.
10.) Visit the Ecumenical Centre beneath the Kun Iam Statue
Also along Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the giant bronze statue of the goddess Kun Iam seems to gracefully float on water if seen from afar. A closer look, however, reveals that it stands on a dome-shaped lotus flower as its base, which is a repository of resource materials on Eastern religions and beliefs. Found at the southern tip of the peninsula, it provides a dynamic view of downtown Macau as well as the beautiful view of Taipa across the harbor. Ships and boats, as well as the long bridges connecting Taipa and Macau peninsula are wonderful to look at from this point.
11.) Hotel hop at Cotai Strip
If you want to venture into the modern and futuristic view of Macau, go across to Taipa towards the Cotai Strip, the name of the area coined by American Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Sitting on reclaimed land that joins Coloane and Taipa to make it into one whole island, Cotai (a portmanteau of Coloane and Taipa) Strip is lined by resort hotels and casinos. On one side are the Venetian Macao, Four Seasons, Parisian Macao, Studio City, Galaxy Hotel, Banyan Tree, Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott and many more. At the other side of the strip are City of Dreams, Crown Tower, Sands Cotai Central, Conrad, Holiday Inn, Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel, The St. Regis, Wynn Palace, and more to open.
Ride the gondola inside Venetian Macao, take the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower of The Parisian Macao, or ride the world’s first figure “8” Ferris Wheel in the Studio City.
12.) See the Giant Panda at Seac Pai Van Park
A protected area in Coloane, the Seac Pai Van Park is a 20-hectare property at the western side of Coloane Hill, the highest natural elevation in Macau. It is managed by the Civil and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macau. The park has a flora and fauna garden, aviary, mini-zoo, pavilion of rare animals and the Giant Panda pavilion. There are also cafes, a souvenir shop, a museum and an information center inside the park. Although the park is open from 8am to 6pm, some pavilions are open from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.
Entry into the park is free but visitors who want to enter the Giant Panda Pavilion can purchase a ticket of MOP10.00 for those who are 13 years old to 64 years old. Children 12 years old and below and senior citizens 65 years old and older are free of charge. The Giant Panda Pavilion and the Pavilion of Rare Animals are closed on Mondays (or Tuesdays if the public holiday falls on a Monday). There are also exercise areas, trails for nature walk and kiddie playgrounds inside the park.
13.) Hike to the A-Ma Statue at Coloane Height Park from A-Ma Cultural Village
It was by accident that we stumbled into this hidden gem in Coloane. Tucked in the lush greens of the hill and perched hidden near its peak is the A-Ma Cultural Village that houses a temple for the goddess of seafarers A-Ma or Tin Hau or Mazu. Within the village is the Tin Hau Palace (often referred to as Tian Hou Palace), Dressing Hall, Drum Tower and Bell Tower.
First off, from the bus stop – the same stop for the Seac Pai Van Park and Macau Giant Panda Pavilion – you will find a parking lot and then A-Ma ornamental entrance gate which has a memorial archway (next to a gasoline station). There, shuttle vans of the Goddess A-Ma Foundation of Macau bring visitors to and from the archway and the Tin Hau Palace parking lot at the top of the hill.
Arriving at the village’s parking lot, there is a small park with public toilets in an open area which has an overlooking view of the Hac Sa Beach below, at the east side of the island. Steps leading to a pavilion-style gate captures one’s attention. We climbed the steps, which has bas-relief at the middle, and entered the gate to the palace, where a huge temple hall stood in the center. Both the exterior and the interior of the hall are grand, with a 3.8-meter high statue of the goddess A-Ma standing in the middle altar, with other statues lined on both her sides. The complex is surrounded by buildings on both sides. The palace is open from 8am to 6pm and has no admission fee to enter it.
A short hike up the hill is the20-meter high white marble statue of the goddess A-Ma, the tallest figure of the said goddess, that looks out to Cotai and Taipa. There are also various trails around the hill that is ideal for nature lovers and those with active lifestyle. The place is so serene that you will even forget you are in an urban area because it makes you feel you are in the countryside.
14.) Take a cultural and culinary walk around Taipa Village
This historical part of Taipa has temples, churches, old houses and shops that are walking distance within each other. There are also gardens, eateries, flea markets and alleys that you can explore on foot. Portuguese and Chinese architecture side by side blend well in the whole picture. It’s nice to see this preserved part of Taipa which seems to take you back to the old era of Macau.
15.) Pedal boat at Nam Van Lake
This man-made lake which used to be part of the bay is found in the southern part of the Macau peninsula. There are shops, galleries, cafes, bazaars, and other cultural, leisure and creative activities through the Anim’Arte Nam Van at the Lakeside Plaza. But most visitors like to ride the swan-shaped pedal boats, which is available from 11am to 6pm. For 30 minutes, a two-seater pedal boat costs MOP20.00 while a four-seater costs MOP40.00. Note, however, that children under five years old are not admitted on board the pedal boat while children 5 to 12 years old need to be accompanied by an adult.
Then, during Saturday and Sunday nights, at 9pm to 9:30pm and 10pm to 10:30pm, there is a laser projection show at the lake.
Of course there are still so many things to see in Macau, no matter how small it is. Take your time in unveiling its beauty and digest your discoveries little by little, as you’ll never know how it will surprise you.