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    Tourist Attractions in Macau

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Macau. Photos and a brief description.

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    About Macau

    For more than 400 years, Macau has been in the status of a Portuguese colony, and only in 1999 it was returned to China. This fact has left its mark on the lifestyle and architecture of the coastal region. European and Asian languages, religions and cultural traditions still coexist very harmoniously here. And the monuments of Christian culture are adjacent to ancient Chinese temples. The entire historical center of Macau – a living testimony to the integration of East and West – is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

    Another feature of Macau is the presence of a large number of nightclubs, gambling houses, luxury casinos and ultra–modern entertainment venues. To date, the city has already won the championship from the American Las Vegas, impressing its visitors with Asian scope and dazzling luxury.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Macau

    Senado Square

    The heart of historic Macau. Any journey around the city begins from here. The main objects are fountains, benches and green alleys, cafes and shops, black and white paving stones with a wavy pattern. As well as magnificent colonial-era buildings, demonstrating the multicultural spirit of Macau. Among the most famous are the Church of St. Dominic, the House of Mercy, the former Senate, the Chinese temple, the Church of Our Lady, etc. National holidays, fairs, festivals are held on the square.

    Senado Square
    Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral

    Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral

    The remains of the once majestic, the largest Catholic church in Asia are the main symbol of Macau. The flow of tourists does not dry up to it. It is under UNESCO protection. All that remained of it after the fire of 1835 is a lonely wall, or rather a facade with sculptural compositions, to which a monumental staircase leads. An underground chapel with the surviving relics of Christian martyrs is located on the site of the former altar. A museum of sacred art is open nearby.

    Koloan Village

    A small colorful settlement in the south of the island of Koloan, which has preserved the charm of the past. The center of the village is occupied by Eduard Markesh Square, paved with multicolored stones in the form of waves. The main attraction of these places is the chapel of Francis Xavier. Other interesting objects include 7 Chinese ancient temples, an old library, a Buddhist cemetery on the mountainside, an embankment, many shops, restaurants and coffee shops, excellent beaches.

    Koloan Village
    Giant Panda Pavilion

    Giant Panda Pavilion

    Located in a park called Seac Pai Van. It occupies an area of 3000 m2. All the buildings of the pavilion fit seamlessly into the natural landscape. There are indoor enclosures for pandas, feed preparation rooms, a veterinary office, a large courtyard. Two paths have been laid for visitors. Considering that pandas like to sleep, it is better to come to the pavilion in the morning. In the park there are aviaries with other animals, a souvenir shop, a cafe, an information center.

    Macau Tower

    It was opened in 2001. It has a height of 338 meters and 61 floors. It is a huge complex consisting of shops, restaurants, cafes, exhibition centers, a cinema. The observation deck is located at an altitude of 233 meters, consists of two levels, has a glass, moving floor. The tower is listed in the Guinness Book as the highest platform for bungee jumping. Also, fans of extreme sports are offered to climb the spire of a skyscraper and climb the outer walls.

    Macau Tower
    Guia Fort

    Guia Fort

    Defensive fortress of the beginning of the XVII century. It rises on the hill of Guia – the highest point of the peninsula. Simultaneously with the fort, a chapel was built, which is famous for its frescoes. The monks of the Order of St. Clare were engaged in its design. In 1864, a 15-meter European–style lighthouse was built nearby - the first on the Chinese coast. There is an observation deck on its top. A Maritime museum has been opened in the fortress. You can climb the hill by funicular.

    Fort Monte

    It was built at the beginning of the XVII century to protect against attacks from the sea. It was built by the Portuguese authorities with the support of the Jesuit Order. It is located on the top of a hill, has a quadrangular shape. All corners are covered with bastions. The sea-facing walls are equipped with loopholes with ancient guns and towers. Inside the fort, warehouses, soldiers' barracks, and an arsenal have been preserved. There is a square between them. An observation deck is equipped. There is a museum nearby.

    Fort Monte
    Macau Museum of Art

    Macau Museum

    It was opened in 1998 on the territory of Fort Monte, in a 17th-century building that belonged to a weather station. The expositions are located on 3 levels - two underground and one aboveground. They are dedicated to the history of Macau, the Portuguese influence on the development of the region, traditions, folk crafts and everyday life of local residents, as well as the peculiarities of modern urban life. Among the exhibits are an ancient printing press and roulette, ancient cards, famous Chinese shadow dolls, sculptures, etc.

    Mandarin House

    A city estate owned by the family of the Chinese official Zheng Guanyin. It was built in 1869. It occupies an area of 4000 m2. It is built in Chinese traditions, but using elements of Western cultures. It consists of several residential premises surrounded by a fence. The exterior of the residence is decorated with round doors and arches, lattice windows, ornaments on the walls. Furniture, books, and decorative items have been preserved inside. A museum has been opened here since 2001. Admission is free.

    Mandarin House
    Macau Science Center

    Macau Science Center

    The opening date is 2009. It is a futuristic cone-shaped building with no floors inside, and all the galleries are arranged in a spiral. Each of them is dedicated to a separate topic – planet Earth and natural phenomena, various technologies, robotics, cooking, scientists and discoveries, etc. The building has a viewing gallery with excellent views of the sea and the surrounding area. A planetarium has been built nearby, in which films in 3D format are shown on a 15-meter screen.

    Taipa House Museums

    Five villas of beautiful jade color, owned by members of the Portuguese administration, respected people of the city. They were built in the early 20s of the last century. The interior has a combination of Chinese and Portuguese styles. Today, the houses have been reconstructed and turned into exhibition halls, where collections of ceramics, sculptures, national costumes, photographs, household items, paintings are presented. One of the houses is intended for receptions, banquets, cultural events.

    Taipa House Museums
    Grand Prix Museum

    Grand Prix Museum

    Dedicated to Formula 3 class car racing. The first tournament was held in Macau in 1954. Since then, competitions have been held annually in November. The museum opened in 1993. The initiator of its creation was a local entrepreneur who participated in the races – Teddy Yipp. The museum presents cars and motorcycles of famous pilots, a model of a race track, photos of champions, cups, videos from competitions of different years. Admission is free for everyone.

    Maritime Museum

    The museum building in the form of a white sailboat was built on the very place where the Portuguese landed in 1553 – on Bara Hill. It has been receiving visitors since 1990. It contains 4 expositions on the history of maritime affairs in Portugal, China and Macau. Here you can learn about the life and lifestyle of local fishermen, the discoveries of Portuguese pioneers, the history of trade relations, modern shipping. Models of fishing gear, ships, junky boats, fishing vessels, etc. are presented.

    Maritime Museum
    Macau Museum of Art

    Macau Museum of Art

    The modern museum building covers an area of 10 thousand m2, has 5 floors and consists of 7 exhibition galleries. They contain valuable collections of Chinese paintings, calligraphy and ceramics, historical paintings, European prints of local landscapes, and contemporary art. Temporary exhibitions of art works by Chinese and foreign authors are also held here. The building has an auditorium with 100 seats, a library, various workshops.

    A-Ma Temple

    It was erected in the XIV century in honor of the patroness of seafarers and fishermen – the goddess A-Ma. Located on the hillside. It is made in Chinese style with small towers, the roofs of which are turned up. It consists of several pavilions and prayer halls. The square in front of the temple is paved with colorful cobblestones brought from Portugal. They form a pattern resembling waves. Services are still held in the temple today, the cult of the sea goddess A-Ma is revered.

    A-Ma Temple
    St. Dominic 's Church

    St. Dominic 's Church

    It was built at the end of the XVI century by Spanish monks. The main material was wood. Later, in 1828, it was reconstructed from stone. It is made in the Baroque style using European and local design features. The interior is richly decorated with paintings, carvings, mirrors, sculptures. The bell tower is famous for the oldest bronze bells in the city. A museum has been opened here, where about 300 unique artifacts and works of religious art are stored.

    Macau Cathedral

    It was built at the beginning of the XVII century. Subsequently, it was reconstructed several times, the last time in 1937, when the building was rebuilt from concrete. The facade is finished with Shanghai plaster, which gives the cathedral a monolithic, strict and slightly ascetic look, complemented by pilasters and two symmetrical towers. Before the transfer of Macau to China, it was here that one of the main symbols of power was kept – the scepter. The temple is now active. Nearby is the bishop's house.

    Macau Cathedral
    Catholic Chapel of Our Lady of Pena

    Catholic Chapel of Our Lady of Pena

    It rises above the sea on a small hill Penya. The date of foundation is 1622. It was erected by the Augustinian Order for sailors. It is made in Romanesque style with Gothic elements. It was rebuilt many times, a bell tower with an original weather vane, a staircase, and an arcade were added. There are two sculptures of the Mother of God in the courtyard. There is a garden with fountains, a recreation area, a Playground. A popular place for wedding photo shoots.

    St. Lawrence Church

    Originally built by the Jesuits in the middle of the XVI century from wood. It acquired its modern appearance in 1846. It has the shape of a Latin cross. There are two chapels on the sides. It is made in the neoclassical style with decorative Baroque elements. The windows are decorated with stained glass windows with scenes from the lives of saints. Currently, it is the main church of one of the parishes of Macau. In the garden near the temple there is a series of three-dimensional drawings on the theme of biblical subjects.

    St. Lawrence Church

    Chapel of St. Francis Xavier

    It appeared in 1928 on the southern shore of the island of Coloane, near the monument in honor of the Portuguese victory over pirates in 1910. It was used to store especially revered Christian relics. Among them are fragments of the bones of Francis Xavier. As well as the remains of Catholic priests who were crucified in Nagasaki in 1597, and Japanese Christians who died in 1637 during the Shimabara uprising. At the end of the XX century, the relics were moved to the museum and other temples.

    The Venetian

    A whole city block under one roof – a hotel, 350 shops, a cinema and concert hall with 15,000 seats, 30 world-class restaurants, a conference hall, a gaming facility with 850 tables and 4,000 slot machines. Fountains, statues, squares, bridges and real canals have been built under the "Venetian sky" painted by Italian artists, along which gondolas glide. The best opera singers are in the role of gondoliers. It is the largest structure in Asia and the second largest in the world.

    The Venetian
    Grand Lisboa

    Grand Lisboa

    After the restoration in 2007, the oldest casino in Macau has acquired a new modern look. It is made in the form of a lotus flower. During the day it shines with gold, at night it shimmers with bright lights and spotlights. The interior is created in Chinese style, luxuriously decorated, a lot of ivory and gold jewelry. The building has 57 floors, the game rooms are on the upper levels. There are separate rooms for experienced players. The casino holds one of the largest diamonds in the world – 218.08 carats.

    Galaxy Macau

    A grand entertainment complex, one of the largest in the world. It includes 3 hotels, more than 50 bars and restaurants, 6 swimming pools, a beach, tropical gardens, a game room for 600 tables, etc. It is famous for a huge rooftop pool where artificial waves are created and even windsurfing competitions are held. Another attraction of the complex is the Diamond Fountain. Every evening, a huge diamond rises from it, accompanied by music and visual effects.

    Galaxy Macau
    City of Dreams

    City of Dreams

    The City of Dreams, shining with lights, includes 3 hotels, fashion boutiques, one of the most famous nightclubs in Asia – Cubic, a two-level casino with 450 gaming tables, about 20 restaurants and bars. And City of Dreams is also widely famous for two theaters – "The Bubble" and "Dancing Water Theater". Their performances are bright water shows with great sound and light special effects. The entertainment complex was built in 2009. Located in the Kotai district.

    House of dancing water

    An enchanting show program, for which an auditorium for 2000 seats was built with an unusual stage that turns into a huge swimming pool. The most impressive sight in the world, the cost of which exceeded 250 million dollars. The performance involves 80 acrobats, 30 divers, 150 technicians. The colorful production based on European and Chinese plots is filled with acrobatic and underwater performances, bright dances, motorcycle stunts, special effects and animated graphics.

    House of dancing water