Tourist Attractions in Macau City
Largo do Senado
Largo do Senado, often known as Senado Square or Senate Square, may be found in the more contemporary portion of Macau’s downtown region. This region’s architecture is reminiscent of the cities found in southern Europe. A pleasant scene is created by structures that have been painted in beautiful colours. The Leal Senado and St. Dominic’s Church are two of the important structures located in this neighbourhood. The area around the plaza has a quaint park with features like as fountains, floral plants, trees, and more. On one side of the plaza you will also discover a large number of fortune tellers who are quite busy predicting the future for their customers.
Sao Domingos Church
The Sao Domingos Church, also known as St. Dominic’s Church, can be found right in the middle of the Leal Senado square. The 16th century saw the construction of this majestic and spectacular church. You’ll discover a lovely altar with a statue of the Virgin Mary and one of her children here. St. Dominic and Our Lady of Fatima are honoured with this dedication. Beautiful sculptures and paintings that are outstanding examples of traditional Portuguese art are also on display here for visitors to admire. This church serves as the starting point for a procession held in honour of Our Lady of Fatima every year during the month of May. During the 1990s, the cathedral underwent an extensive renovation that culminated in the creation of a new museum of sacred art.
Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt
This museum may be found in the former sacristy that was devoted to Our Lady of the Rosary and is located adjacent to the Church of St. Dominic. You will be able to have a look at a variety of artefacts that date from the 17th to the 19th century, such as objects made of gold, sculptures, canonicals, paintings, and tableware. These items are the property of Macau as well as a number of other Asian nations. These pieces number over 300 in all, and they carry a very significant cultural as well as theological significance.
Ruinas de Sao Paulo
The remains of Saint Paul’s Church, also known as the Ruinas de Sao Paulo, date back to the first decade of the 17th century. The location is situated in close proximity to the Museo de Macau. For two centuries, it served both as a significant landmark in the city and as a bustling gathering spot. An Italian architect was responsible for the design. It took around 25 years to finish carving the intricate details onto the front of this structure. The sculptures and reliefs that are carved onto the facade may still be viewed in their entirety. In the year 1835, the structure was razed to the ground by a fire. The magnificent front of the building is all that is left standing now to serve as a reminder of its previous splendour.
Monte Fort
The Monte Fort, which is also known as the St. Paul Monte Fortress, is one of the oldest and most well-known forts in all of Macau. The construction of Monte Fort began at the beginning of the 17th century, under the reign of Emperor Xizong. It was constructed as a part of the Jesuit Complex of Sao Paulo in order to provide the church with defence against pirates. Later on, it was transformed into a military fort, which included a storage facility, a reservoir, and many separate dormitories. It was here that the legendary incident of 1622 took place, in which local warriors successfully opposed the Dutch. After the Jesuits had departed the city, the fort was left in ruins. The fort is perched on a hill only a few hundred metres away from the Sao Paolo Church, and it provides breathtaking views of the whole city.
Macau Museum
Inside of Monte Fort is where you’ll find the Macau Museum. The museum is divided up into a few different rooms that provide an overview of the history of the enclave as well as the consequences that Portuguese control had on Macau. The museum has an extensive collection of antiques and exhibits, some of which include wooden barrels, cutlery, porcelain ware, and other such items. The museum’s collection is comprised mostly of silk products, religious objects, and cemetery headstones, to name a few more categories. In this museum, visitors have the opportunity to see movies depicting local traditions, rituals, marriages, and festival celebrations.
Lou Lim Ioc Garden
This stunning garden, known as Lou Lim Ieoc, can be found approximately 2 Kilometres to the northeast of Fortaleza do Monte. A Chinese garden that was established in the 19th century may be found here. This garden’s layout was inspired by the traditional landscaping seen in Suzhou, which is located in China. In certain circles, the garden is also known as Lou Kau, after a wealthy benefactor who contributed to its development financially. It is home to a rich collection of avian and plant life, both of which are protected. You may take in the sights of bamboo trees, ponds, and pavilions galore here.
Old Protestant Cemetery
To the east of Praca Luis de Camoes Square is where you’ll find the Old Protestant Cemetery. There are almost 150 burials here of non-Catholic travellers, tourists, sailors, and other types of people that passed away in this area. The visitors think reading people’s wills and testaments is quite intriguing. The British East India Company created the cemetery in the early part of the 19th century. It dates back to that time period. Famous people such as the artist George Chinnery, the missionary Robert Morrison, Samuel Smith, and Royal Navy Captain Henry John Spencer Churchill are also buried at this cemetery. The caretakers have done an excellent job throughout the years of keeping the location in good condition. A visit to this location is sure to put a smile on your face thanks to the tranquil atmosphere and plenty of trees. The Morrison Chapel, which is renowned for its historical and cultural value, can be found in close proximity to the cemetery.
Camoes Grotto & Gardens
Camoes Garden, sometimes referred to as Jardim Luis de Camoes by the locals, is one of Macau’s most stunning gardens and is among the city’s oldest and largest. It was named after the well-known poet Luis de Camoes, who lived in the 16th century and was spread out across an area of around 20,000 square metres. It is thought that the poet went to Macau in the 16th century and wrote about the trip of Vasco da Gama at this location when he was there. The Camoes Grotto is the most significant feature among the garden’s attractions. It contains several of the poet’s well-known pieces. A bronze monument called “Embrace” that represents the relationship between China and Portugal can also be seen in this plaza. This garden has a significant number of different kinds of plants, including floral plants, shrubs, and trees. The Gazebo, which is located at the highest point in the park, provides stunning views of the surrounding port region.
Guia Fortress
The Guia Fort, also known as the Fortaleza da Guia, was originally constructed in 1637 and is now recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It was the most important observation station in Macau, and it is perched atop Guia Peak, which is the tallest hill in the city. The fort was equipped with a variety of barracks, water tanks, ammunition depots, officer quarters, and other buildings. The famous lighthouse that is part of the fort was constructed in the year 1885. It reaches a height of about 91 metres and may be seen from a considerable distance. A church may be seen in the vicinity of the lighthouse. It was made somewhere in the 17th century. Within the walls of the chapel are a number of stunning frescoes.
Grand Prix Museum
A comprehensive account of the history of the Macau Grand Prix can be found at the Grand Prix Museum. The museum may be found at the Tourist Activity Center, which is located next to the Floating Casino. It is often referred to as the Museum of the Great Prize. The museum first opened its doors in 1993 as part of a commemoration and celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Macau Grand Prix. The majority of its exhibits are comprised of classic automobiles as well as beautiful current automobiles. A racing simulator that lets you experience what it’s like to compete in a Formula 3 race is also available here.
Macau Wine Museum
The Macau Wine Museum may be found at the Tourist Activity Center, which is located next to the Floating Casino. It provides a very comprehensive summary of the history of winemaking in Macau. A other name for the museum is the Museu do Vinho. In this museum, in addition to tasting some of Portugal’s wines, visitors may see historic equipment that is used in the production of a variety of wines.
Kun Iam Temple
This temple, which is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, can be found approximately 1.9 kilometres to the north of Almeida Ribeiro. The evening is a popular time for devotees to come and worship at this temple, which has a history dating back around 400 years. The United States and China signed their first trade contract in the middle of the 19th century on a table made of granite that is now housed at the temple. A number of minor shrines may be found inside the larger temple complex. In the primary gathering space there is a statue of the Goddess of Mercy. The other sculptures that surround her are representations of China’s 18 sages. In addition, there is a statue of Marco Polo that can be seen within the temple.
Lin Fung Temple
The history of the Lin Fung Temple can be traced back to the late 16th century and is also referred to as the Lotus Temple. It is a Taoist Temple, and its construction was commissioned by the Mandarins so that they might have a pleasant place to stay the night when travelling between Macau and Guangzhou. The front of this stunning piece of architecture was constructed some time during the 19th century. Within this temple, there are sculptures depicting a variety of various Chinese deities.
Barrier Gate
A few other names for the Barrier Gate are Portas do Cerco and Siege Gate. The nineteenth century saw the construction of this gateway. An archway made of stucco can be seen here; it marks the boundary between Macau and China. In the past, this location was off limits, but today you are free to go rather near to it. On each side of the border, people and vehicles carrying products can be seen lined up in queues, ready to pass into the other country.
Sun Yat Sen Park
Located to the west of Barrier Gate, this urban park was given its current name in honour of a past President of China. In the 20th century, Sun Yat Sen was a significant figure in Chinese history. The sculpture, which is made of bronze and is called “Permanent Handshake,” was installed in the park to pay tribute to the cordial relationship that exists between China and Portugal. The park has a total area of about 7000 sq m. The historic gate, Victorian green homes, floral gardens, feng shui forest, and other features are among the most popular things to see and do in this park. The sports field, the swimming pool, the playgrounds for the children, the exhibition hall, and the café halls are some of the additional amenities that can be found here. The park also has some beautiful vistas of Zhuhai, which is located on the mainland of China.
Sao Agostinho
The Sao Agostinho (Saint Augustine) Church was constructed in the 19th century and can be seen in the Barra neighbourhood next to Teatro Dom Pedro V. It is thought that the first building to be constructed at this location was established in the year 1586 during the time of the Spaniards. The outside of the building is designed in the Baroque style, while the inside is built in the neoclassical style. The sculptures of Christ are kept on this marble altar, which is located here. A procession is performed at this location on the first Sunday of Lent. During the procession, hundreds of devotees carry the figure of Christ to the Cathedral for the night, and then the following day, they transport the statue back to the church where it was originally located. The paintings of Saint Monica, Saint Rita, and Saint Thomas have given the cathedral more notoriety throughout the years.
A-Ma Temple
The A-Ma Temple was constructed somewhere in the late 15th century and may be seen in the Barra area at the foot of Barra Hill. During the time of the Ming Dynasty, it was constructed, and it is believed that Goddess Mazu was honoured there. According to popular belief, A-Ma is both the goddess of the ocean and the queen of heaven. It is reported that this temple was constructed on the spot where the goddess ascended to heaven after she rescued a ship that was being threatened by a storm. The temple is divided into six major divisions, each of which is watched over by a stone lion. There is a statue of Mazu located in the Hongren Hall. The Hall of Avalokitesvara and the Zhengjio Chanlin are both considered to be very significant halls. When it is the birthday of the goddess or the beginning of the Chinese New Year, hundreds of worshipers make their way to the temple to pay their respects.
Macau Maritime Museum
The fascinating Macau Maritime Museum dates back to the 20th century when it was first established. The name “Museu Maritimo de Macau” refers to it in the native language. The history of local sea explorers, naval strategies and equipment, and fishing strategies are the primary topics covered in this museum. A variety of various boat models, navigation gadgets, scale models, fisherman costumes, and other items are now on show here. After you’ve finished touring the museum, you may continue your day with a cruise around the Inner Harbor.
Handover Gifts Museum
This museum was established as a commemoration to the event that marked the transfer of Macau to China. The museum is meant to represent the friendly relationship that exists between two countries: China and Portugal. In reclaimed ground on Macau Island, it may be found in close proximity to the Macau Cultural Center. The location of the handover ceremony served as the venue for the establishment of the museum. The museum has a collection of images and papers relating to the event that may be seen there. The atmosphere inside is reminiscent of Macau before it gained its independence from Portugal. There are three levels in this building. You are able to see here the presents that were received from various provinces in China as well as Hong Kong. A few of the displays also concentrate on the history and culture of the region of Macau.
Kun Lam Statue
A Portuguese sculptor by the name of Cristina Rocha Leiria is responsible for the construction of the exquisitely crafted statue of Kun Lam. It is thought that worshippers of the Buddhist goddess Kun Lam would get assistance in a variety of forms. The figure is covered in exquisite bronze tiles that were imported from China. The President of Portugal cut the ribbon to officially open it. It is located in the vicinity of the Ecumenical Centre of Oriental Religions and occupies a citadel there.
Garden of the Arts
Along the Avenida de Amizade is where you’ll find this garden right in the middle of the city. It is home to a large number of various kinds of blooming plants and trees of all shapes and sizes. The guests are mesmerised by the breathtaking vista that can be seen from here. Beautiful blooming plants originating from India, Japan, China, and Europe may be found in this section. In addition to this, there are a number of sculptures, as well as a fountain in the centre of the area.
Macau Tower
This structure is about 338 metres in height, making it one of the highest structures in the world. The tower may be found on the peninsula’s southern tip, in close proximity to the inner harbour. At a height of 220 metres, it has an observation lounge. The tower’s rotating restaurant, which is located inside of it, is another popular attraction among visitors. Skywalk and the other interesting activities that AJ-Hackett has to offer are also available to you here. On a day with clear skies, you will also be able to enjoy views of Hong Kong Island from this tower.
Gate of Understanding
A stunning piece of artwork known as the Gate of Understanding may be seen in the Inner Harbor neighbourhood. The friendship between China and Portugal is commemorated through the construction of this monument in 1993. In the past, this location was home to Barra Fort, which was subsequently destroyed. Charters de Almeida was the one who constructed the Gate. Granite slabs are laid atop the concrete that makes up the gate’s core. Evening hours are when this building presents its most magnificent appearance. This location is in close proximity to a variety of hotels as well as restaurants.
