Macau revisited

FUSION (EAST MEETS WEST), COLOURFUL, LAID-BACK, HISTORICAL, CHARMING, UNIQUE

Unlike Hong Kong, the Macau government has done a lot to preserve the history & heritage of Macau. When Hong Kong people think of Macau, only a few things come into their minds: Portuguese food/tarts, casinos and maybe the ruins of St Paul. In fact, being a Unesco World heritage site, there is no shortage of sights and historical buildings, and they even have an excellent Macau museum (Hong Kong should be ashamed of themselves)! My recent trip brought me to many fascinating sites that I have never visited before... I hope that the government will continue its effort to preserve Macau's uniqueness and NOT let it become a place dominated by 5-star hotels, malls and casinos.

The Macau heritage net contains a lot of info & routes: http://www.macauheritage.net


Guia Fortress' lighthouse (19th century) and chapel (17th century)




Senado Square


A-Ma Temple


Cathedral (1622)








Lou Kau Mansion (1889)




Moorish Barracks (1874)


Rua e Beco da Felicidade





Torre Prestamista, Rua de Camilo Pessanha (1916-7)


Ruins of St. Paul’s (cathedral built from 1582-1602, destroyed by fire in 1835)


Mong Ha Fortress (1849)


Pousada de Mong Ha (opened since 1995)


Typhoon signals



Portuguese tiles


Traditional biscuits store


Restaurants and cafes

Café Ou mun - 12 Travessa de São Domingos
Local's favourite cafe serving good coffee and Portugese pastries.

IFT Educational Restaurant, inside Pousada de Mong Ha -
A reasonably-priced restaurant run by students attending the Institute for Tourism Studies next door. Service can be a bit slow and unprofessional (as expected) but the Macanese food is pretty decent. Probably not a destination restaurant but not a bad choice if you are staying at the Pousada or visiting the fortress.

Fernando's - 9 Hac Sa Beach, Coloane Island
Everyone who has been to Macau seems to have visited Fernando's at least once! It's cheap, cheerful and always busy!

A Lorcha - 289 Rua do Almirante Sergio
Popular small restaurant serving good typical Portugese and Macanese dishes.

Barra Nova - 287 Rua do Almirante Sergio
Next to A Lorcha is this 2-level restaurant serving similar Portugese/ Macanese food, esp. famous for its Pato Cabidela Duck Cooked in Its Own Blood.

Clube Militar de Macau - 975, Avenida da Praia Grande
Located inside the Military club near the Lisboa Casino hotel, this airy restaurant is quite formal but not intimidating. The food is classic Portuguese/ Macanese, not cheap but the colonial ambience is the real highlight of the experience.