Macao Things to Do

  macanese alleys 2
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      macanese alleys 2
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  • the golden carriage
      the golden carriage
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  • Macau Museum, Macau
      Macau Museum, Macau
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  • University Of Macau, Macau
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  • Macau, China
      Macau, China
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

New Lisboa Casino

by solopes

The most outstanding construction in Macao is this new casino. Very colourful, with a very odd shape and enormous dimensions, it can be seen from everywhere. We didn't enter (it was about to be finished when we were there) but... I didn't like it. In the aggression to the simplicity and historic authenticity of the city created by the boom of big casinos, this is, indeed, the most pretentious and aggressive of them. Nah!I'd rather enjoy the old Macao

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Penha

by solopes

The best sightseeing point of Macao before the construction of TV tower is Penha hill, occupied with a chapel built in 1867 in place of a former chapel from the 17th century. Nearby there's a replica of Lourdes cave, and an image of the holy Virgin.

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Old Lisboa

by solopes

For several decades I heard the Portuguese that visited Macao, talking about Lisboa Hotel and Lisboa Casino. They were one of the stronger references in the city.Macao is today a clone of Las Vegas, and the historic reference was supported building a big and modern new Lisboa Hotel. However, the old one was kept, and it is still there, challenging the modern investments with the power of its history.

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Guia

by solopes

Guia, one of Macao's hills, is topped by a fortress with two important Portuguese constructions - the lighthouse and a chapel. The lighthouse was one of the first to be built in eastern world, in 1622, but the actual one is the result of a reconstruction in 1864.The chapel was built also in 1622, and it is a modest construction where recently where discovered some frescoes.

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Fortaleza do Monte (Mount Fortress)

by solopes

Mount Fortress, built in 1617-26, occupies a hilltop to the east of St. Paul' s ruins, and at easy walking distance from it. It was constructed by the Jesuits as part of a complex which also included the college and church of St. Paul' s. The canons were used only once, when the Dutch invaded Macau in 1622. This was also the first residence of the governors of Macau. Over the following decades trees grew from the platform of the fort, which was transformed into a public park where residents and visitors came to enjoy the views. The only building was an office of the Meteorological Department until 1998 when the three-level Macau Museum, focusing on the history of Macau, was built into the fortress hill.

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A Ma Temple

by solopes

Older than Portuguese colonization the "A Ma" temple was accepted by the Portuguese, and respected as a reference of Chinese culture and religion. Several pavilions climbing a steep hill are dedicated to different deities, attracting lots of Chinese devotes to ceremonies hard to understand by westerns.

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Leal Senado

by solopes

The "Senado" square is paved with a wave-patterned mosaic of coloured stones, created by Portuguese experts. From the main road to the church of St. Dominic, the pavement extends to the ruins of St. Paul's, making the heart of the city a pedestrian paradise. More than S. Paulo ruins, this square is, for the Portuguese, the real visual reference of Macao.

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S Domingos

by solopes

St. Dominic's Church, in Senado's square, dates from the early 17th century. It has an imposing facade of cream-coloured stone with white stucco mouldings and green-shutted windows. Inside, white pillars support a flat ceiling and apron balconies trim the walls. The great baroque alter contains a cream and white statue of the Virgin and Child and a painting of Christ. The church has a fine collection of exquisitely-carved ivory and wood saints.St. Dominic's Church has a violently dramatic past. In 1644 a military officer who supported the Spanish against the Portuguese was murdered at the alter during Mass. In 1707 the Dominicans sided with the Pope against Macau's bishop in the Rites Controversy. When local soldiers tried to enforce an excommunication order on them, the friars locked themselves in the church for three days and pelted the soldiers with stones. In 1834 the monastic orders...

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Kun Iam Statue

by solopes

The Kun Iam statue, 20 meters high, was founded in a famous foundry in Nanjing, China and was transported to the Center in Macau to be set-up. During it’s production, the Architect and the team workers amplified and modified the Kun Iam statue several times

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St Anthony church

by solopes

This church stands on the site of a chapel founded in 1558, the first to be built in Macau. The history of the present building is explained on a plaque by the door: "Built in 1638. Burnt in 1809. Rebuilt in 1810. Burnt again in 1874. Repaired in 1875". However, there is a cross in the churchyard bearing the date of 1636. Another fire necessitated another restoration in 1930 and further work was done on the facade and tower in 1940.St Anthony is the Portuguese protector of marriages so the members of the Portuguese community selected this church for their wedding ceremonies. The sight of flowers was the base for the Chines name: Fa Vong Tong (Church of Flowers).

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Top 3 Hotels in Macao

Venetian Macao Resort Hotel  Ilha de Macau

 1 Review and 2019 Opinions  WONDERFUL and very relaxing! I feel that we really got our money's worth! The room was very... 

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Pousada de Mong-Ha  Taipa

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The Place

Reviews and photos of Macao attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Macao sightseeing.

Experience Macao
 

Questions and Answers

nivriti1985 profile photo

Q:  Hi.. I was wondering if anyone could suggest me good and cheap local travel agents in Macau that can arrange Day tours. I would... 

corysharon profile photo

A: the lisboa casino gets very lively late at night. but I had better luck at the MGM.as for travel agents. language was very difficult in Macao part portuguese and part... 

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