Joanna James
Macau is steeped in culture. Its colonial past can be seen everywhere. All over the city are colonial buildings and examples of excellent architecture. Macau is also a great tourist destination.
The mainland is where you find most attractions; they sit within walking distance of each other. Travelling around is easy, and you can do all the exploring on foot. The twisty alleyways are lined with cafes, which means that you won't go hungry or thirsty while sightseeing. The waterfront is a major entertainment base and lined up alongside are Macau hotels 5 star. If this is your first visit, you should pick a map to make navigation easier. This is a popular day trip from Hong Kong; you can take the ferry. Macau is well stocked with places like Hotel Okura Macau.
St. Paul's was once the best Christian building in the East. But now, all that remains is the facade of the church. It was first destructed in 1601; a fire caused the destruction. In 1637, it was rebuilt, but in 1835, it was again destructed by a fire and a typhoon. However, the remainder of the building still has signs of its former glory. Highlights of the place include the inscription found above the doorway and various figurines of saints.
This is an excellent start to your Macau tour. Senado Square is an exciting pedestrian area that's located in the heart of Macau. The Senate Building is the most important highlight here; this is a fine example of colonial architecture. The building was erected in 1784, and in 1870, its façade was added. The building underwent a complete makeover in 1940. Inside the building are the Senate Library and the Council Chamber. The library houses nearly 50,000 valuable manuscripts. The square is an excellent spot for shopping and dining.
Another place worth exploring is the A-Ma Temple. The temple honours the goddess Matsu. It has six separate sections: Hall of Guanyin, Zhengjiao Chanlin, Hall of Benevolence, the Grate Pavillion, Prayer Hall and Memorial Arch. Found inside the temple are statues of the goddess and stone lions. This is a great spot to admire the stunning views of the bay.
The hub of the Portuguese rule, Fortaleza do Monte, was built in 1626. Subsequently, it served as the governor's home. It remained the governor's residence until 1749. The Macau Museum is housed here, of which the focus is anthropology and archaeology. The museum shows how the Macanese, Chinese and Portuguese came together to work for the same goal. Mount Fortress Garden is another attraction you should see, and so is Sun Yat Sen Park.
This is a little out of the way, but the Giant Panda Pavillion is totally worth a visit. As it isn't located close to other attractions, many don't think to visit, which would be ideal if you don't like crowds. This is one of the tourist things you can do in Macau. In addition to pandas, you can see monkeys here. The morning time is the best time to visit if you want to see the animals active, you can also visit at 2 pm, the feeding time. The pavilion features a children's playground and a number of gardens. You don't need to pay money to enter, but you have to pay a nominal fee to see the pandas.
Macau has two distinctive seasons: the dry season and the wet season. October to December is the ideal time to visit as it marks the pre-winter season.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
