You know how some people say getting lost is part of the journey? On a recent media trip to Macao, getting lost wasn’t part of the plan but it happened – and it made for some interesting encounters. They included witnessing a transaction between a lady of the night and a potential client.
A fellow media participant suggested we explore Senado Square on our own for it has been the centre of Macao since the 16th century. Armed without a map, we got lost. The locals and passers-by were of no help. In spite of ourselves, and after many missteps, we eventually found ourselves there.
The hassle was well worth it. It was a great spectacle as the place was bursting with European charm and allure, with colonial-style buildings lining a black-and-white cobbled street, crowned with a magnificently lit fountain in the middle of the square.
The adventure did not end there. Our next destination was the Ruins Of St Paul’s, a stone’s throw away from Senado Square. Along the way, we passed by St Dominic’s Square, St Dominic’s Church – which is the first church to be built in China by Dominican priests in 1587 – and a section of the Old City walls.
St Paul’s was burned in a fire in 1835 and what’s left is the facade of the church, most of the foundations and the front steps.
We returned to Senado Square and the ruins the next day. But discovering some of these places at night, on our own without the hustle and bustle of the day, was an experience in itself.
Senado Square simply exudes European charm and allure, with colonial-style buildings lining a black-and-white cobbled street. It has been the centre of Macao since the 16th century.
We also visited the A-Ma Temple, the Barra Square, the Mandarin’s House, Lilau Square, St Augustine’s Church, St Joseph’s Church and Dom Pedro V Theatre, built by local Portuguese in 1860 to commemorate King Pedro V.
Taking photographs within the churches’ sanctuary may not be the best of ideas but the intricate carvings on the walls, the stained-glass windows and magnificent ceilings are truly a sight to behold. Simply sitting in the pew, observing silence and taking it all in also is unforgettable.
If you do want to take picturesque photos, Lilau Square may be the spot for you. Lilau was one of the earliest settlements in Macao, meaning many of the colonial buildings are retained, transporting you to old-world Europe. A great tree stands in the centre of the square, providing shade from the sun. But on this day, it rained, giving us no time to sit and enjoy the view.
Old Taipa Village was indeed a breath of fresh air after seeing luxury hotels and grand casinos lining the city. It’s on Taipa Island, north of the Cotai casino strip.
The village has a charm of its own, with much of Macao’s Portuguese (until 1999 when it returned to China) roots preserved. It felt like stepping into a quaint European town, with its cobbled-stone streets, narrow lanes and stunning buildings.
The night sky in Macao is ablaze with brilliantly lit casinos and hotels. This cosmopolitan grandeur is in stark contrast to some of the older parts of Macao, which still retain their Portuguese roots.
Explore the narrow streets of Macao and discover local eateries and colonial-style buildings. One will be reminded of the cobbled-stone streets of France. — Macao Government Tourism Office
One of the most well-preserved Portuguese edifices in Taipa is the Taipa Houses-Museum. Touted to be one of the cultural relics of the island, the museum complex comprises five distinct green houses built in 1921.
Located on the south side of Taipa, these colonial residences used to overlook a large mangrove swamp and the sea but today, the museum overlooks a small lake and is surrounded by large-scale tourism and entertainment facilities, a stark contrast between the old and the new.
To savour some street food, head to Rua do Cunha or Cunha Street. Named after Portuguese explorer Tristao da Cunha, this narrow pedestrian street is located in the town centre of Taipa Island. Taste local delicacies ranging from the famous almond cakes to peanut candies and various Chinese and Macanese street food. They look like classier versions of the street food you can find in Petaling Street.
A straight, five-minute walk from Cunha Street, we stumbled upon this quaint little eatery called Blissful Carrot. Featuring vegetarian dishes, the eatery prides itself in serving healthy meals using organic, gluten-free and sugar-free ingredients. Deprived of Indian food, I decided to order the Indian Curry Fried Rice. If vegetarian food tastes this good all the time, I’m ready to swear off meat!
While our culinary escapade was the icing, the cake was our quick walkabout tours to the I Leng Temple, Kun Lam Temple, the Museum of Taipa and Coloane History, the Pak Tai Temple and Carmo Hall. We had no time to stop and savour these charming edifices due to a packed itinerary. Still it was a privilege to have seen them as one could almost feel the historical aura emanating from them.
It is not always that you get to experience beautiful buildings from the colonial era, a meeting place of Eastern and Western culture and magnificent and glittering hotels and resorts all in one small region. In that way, Macao is indeed unique!
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