Discover Macao
Seamlessly blending Portuguese and Chinese cultures, Macao is a city of unique charm. Its UNESCO World Heritage Site-recognised historic centre exudes old-world allure, while the city boasts world-class hotels and resorts, entertainment facilities, luxurious shopping malls, and state-of-the-art convention and exhibition venues.
Indulge in Macao’s mouthwatering cuisine, admire dazzling night views, and experience a vibrant calendar of events.
A-Ma Temple
Situated halfway up Barra Hill in the Macao Peninsula, A-Ma Temple is dedicated to worshipping Mazu, the Chinese goddess of the sea who protects the fishermen. The temple is also an important site in the Historic Centre of Macao that has witnessed the evolution of Macao over the centuries. Build near the harbour, the temple sits in perfect harmony with nature. It consists of the Gate Pavilion, Zhengjiao Chanlin (a Buddhist pavilion), Hall of Benevolence and Hall of Guanyin, amongst others. The archway is made of granite and guarded by lifelike stone lions, making for a spectacular scene.
Besides marvelling at the main buildings of the temple, visitors have the opportunity to take a close look at the cliff carvings and two rare stones in the hills nearby, admiring the masterful artistry of stone carving whilst taking in magnificent natural scenery.
Broadway Food Street
Broadway Food Street, located at Avenida Marginal Flor de Lótus in Cotai, is just a bridge away from five-star resort hotel Galaxy Macao. After enjoying your leisure and entertainment activities, take a stroll in this old hawker-style street market and treat yourself to a delightful assortment of Macao’s traditional delicacies.
Famous for street food from Macao and other places in Asia, Broadway Food Street offers specialties from over 40 countries and regions, including Portuguese, Cantonese, Shunde and Hunan cuisines, as well as Taiwanese snacks. Renowned restaurants, big and small, gather at this place to present their best. From simple porridges and street-booth dishes and to seafood fare, there’s surely something that tantalises your tastebuds.
Broadway Food Street is also a treasure trove of shopping options. Popular souvenirs like almond cookies, egg rolls and peanut candies are must-buys. You can also find glittering jewellery, high-end goldware, luxury watches and other handcrafts rich in Asian glamour.
Lusofonia Festival
Lusofonia Festival is a three-day, event-packed occasion that celebrates the exchanges and interactions among Portuguese-speaking countries, in addition to promoting the traditional culture of Portugal to Chinese people.
The festival is usually held before the end of the year to encourage visitors and citizens of Macao to take part in its outdoor activities. Traditional Portuguese games are also offered for all age groups. Through a rich variety of music performances and dances, games, gastronomy and cultural booths, visitors can fully enjoy the dynamic cultures and exotic allure of Portuguese-speaking countries and regions.
Macao Fisherman’s Wharf
Located in close proximity to the Macao Ferry Terminal and Heliport, Macao Fisherman’s Wharf is the largest themed entertainment complex in the Macao Peninsula. Take a walk along the exotic city blocks lining the 300-metre-long Legend Boulevard, and lose yourself in the excitement of travelling worldwide. Stroll along the streets of Amsterdam riverbanks and Italian Riviera, or be amazed by the vivid replica of the breathtaking Colosseum in Rome. Stop by Cape Town, New Orleans and other city pavilions to appreciate the spectacular architecture, and don’t forget to savour international delicacies as you take in the sparkling sea views at the ferry terminal.
Additionally, Macao Fisherman’s Wharf features unparalleled leisure and entertainment facilities, such as an exhilarating virtual-reality experience zone and exotic world-class hotels. An expansive attraction imbued with excitement, Macao Fisherman’s Wharf is a must-visit destination for unforgettable moments of fun.
Macao International Fireworks Display Contest
Internationally acclaimed as one of the best of its kind, the Macao International Fireworks Display is a world-class event that attracts esteemed fireworks companies from across the globe. This highly anticipated event also draws visitors from far and wide to Macao during the event period every year.
Typically held on several Saturdays throughout September, on the Mid-Autumn Festival and on China’s National Day on 1st October, the contest sets the sky ablaze with marvellous fireworks, accompanied by the resounding applause of spectators, adding to the joyous atmosphere of the holidays and festivals. The event has also been extended to include a photo contest, student drawing contest, poster design contest, and singing competition, adding an extra layer of artistic enjoyment to the dazzling extravaganza.
Macao Museum of Art
As part of the Macao Cultural Centre at Avenida Xian Xing Hai, the Macao Museum of Art is the largest museum in the city dedicated to cultural relics and the arts. The museum is a five-storey building, with the first floor housing an auditorium that seats up to 100 people. Additionally, the first floor includes a printmaking room, painting room, multi-purpose room and audio-visual room, mainly for visual art education, providing art making workshops, training courses and art theory lessons for students.
The second floor of the museum is a spacious gallery for special exhibitions, while on the third floor the museum’s collection is displayed. The fourth floor is mainly reserved for Chinese traditional art. Guided tours are available for the public during weekends and public holidays; free guided tours for group visits can also be arranged. Art workshops, seminars and other activities are organised regularly at the museum.
The museum prides itself on its rich collection, with nearly 10,000 pieces of valuable relics, including Chinese calligraphy and paintings, seals, ceramics and bronzeware. A wide range of joint exhibitions have been organised by the museum and its counterparts from other countries and regions. In addition, the first official branch shop of Beijing’s Palace Museum outside mainland China – the Palace Museum Cultural and Creative Store, is located in the Macao Museum of Art, allowing visitors to take home souvenirs from the revered museum in the country’s capital.
Macau Grand Prix
One of the most celebrated events in Macao’s sports and racing circles, the Macau Grand Prix gathers world-class racers to compete in what is known as the finest street circuit race meeting in the world. The event is held in the bustling urban area, with Guia Circuit, a narrow and demanding course with tight corners, being considered by many the most challenging circuit.
Every November, racers assemble to take part in competitions including the classic Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix as well as races for motorcycles, touring cars and GT3.
Visit official site:https://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/en/
Ruins of St. Paul’s
As part of the Historic Centre of Macao, the Ruins of St. Paul’s refer to the arresting fa?ade of what was originally the Church of Mater Dei, also known as the Church of St. Paul. In 1835, a fire erupted and destroyed everything of the church, except what we see today, including its foundation, stone steps and front wall.
The Ruins of St. Paul’s has five tiers. Built with granite in the Baroque style, the fa?ade represents a perfect fusion of Eastern and Western artistic styles. Chinese characters and chrysanthemum motifs from the East blend with classic European decorations, reflecting the historical traces of ‘East meets West’ in Macao. As a religious structure, the fa?ade is decorated with vivid carvings of Catholic imagery as well. You will also find a masonry structure typical of Western architecture in the past.
After visiting the fa?ade, take a walk in the neighbouring Catholic Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt to discover religious paintings, artifacts, and sculptures.
Taipa Houses
Acclaimed as one of the top eight sites of Macao, the Taipa Houses are representative of the intrigue of the city’s exotic architecture and magnificent night views. The Portuguese residences at Avenida da Praia, graced by the neighbouring Our Lady of Carmel Church and a beautiful garden, create a picturesque landscape the delight visitors.
Five of the buildings that are painted in green stand out as the most iconic among the compound of Tiana Houses. These houses, built in 1921, once served as the residences of senior civil servants and the Macanese families. Revitalisation efforts have transformed the residential homes into a museum as well as a hotspot for culture and creativity — nowadays, special exhibitions, outdoor performances and festive activities are hosted to provide an all-encompassing showcase of not only the culture of Portuguese-speaking countries but also cultures from other parts of the world.
During nighttime, the beautiful buildings, illuminated by colourful lights, make for a classical, tranquil scene that is simply unforgettable.
The Historic Centre of Macao
Comprising more than 20 monuments and historical sites interwoven in the heart of the city, the Historic Centre of Macao, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2005, is a testimony to ‘East meets West’, as one can see from the architectural structures’ building styles.
As part of the historic centre, Mount Fortress, located adjacent to the Ruins of Saint Paul’s, has a history of almost 400 years. The fortress was built to defend the city against pirates and protect the priests in the church of St. Paul, before it was turned into a military facility.
Made famous by the fountain at its heart, Senado Square is another beloved site in the historic centre. Many buildings around the square are characterised by European influences, presenting vastly different sceneries during day and night. The square has been the centre of Macao since the city was opened up as a trading port in the 16th century. As a treasured leisure spot for the people of Macao, the square is also the venue for many festive celebrations, such as Chinese New Year dragon dances, Macao Lotus Flower Festival, and Macao Food Festival.
Reprinted from the website of the Hong Kong Tourism Board,click here.
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