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World Travel Guide > Guides > Asia > China > Macau > Macau city

Local time Macau city

Currency

MOP$

Things to see in Macau city

Attractions

Guia Hill Fortress and Lighthouse

Built in 1637 to guide ships through Macanese waters, the still-functioning Guia Lighthouse is also used to warn the city of impending typhoons. You can visit the surrounding fortress, which contains a chapel building noted for its frescoes. A series of wartime bunkers are cut into the hill nearby, and a small museum tells the stories of those who served here.

Address: , , ,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Fortress: daily 0900-1800; chapel: daily 1000-1800; lighthouse not open to the public.

Website:
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes

Historic Centre of Macau

Ascribed UNESCO World Heritage status in 2005, the old city encompasses more than two dozen squares and historical buildings. The colonial buildings, markets and narrow cobblestone lanes blend the feel of backstreet Porto with the synapse-jolting smells and sounds of southern China. Don't miss the ruined facade of the Church of St Paul.

Address: , , ,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1110
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes

Macau Giant Panda Pavilion

Under a seashell-shaped glass roof in Coloane lies one of Macau's biggest tourist draws. Raised walkways mean visitors have a unique vantage point of the resident giant pandas in an environment that is meant to resemble as closely as possible their natural habitat. The complex also houses enclosures for red pandas.

Address: Coloane, Avenida de Seac Pai Van, Macau,
Telephone: +853 2833 7676
Opening times:

Tues-Sun 1000-1300 and 1400-1700

Website: http://www.macaupanda.org.mo
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Museu de Macau

Macau's complex history is neatly chronicled in this excellent museum. The ground floor focuses on the maritime legacies of both China and Portugal, charting the discovery of the territory and its emergence as a trading port. Look out for sections detailing the history of cricket fighting (which presaged Macau's gambling industry) and the once-key firecracker industry.

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +853 2835 7911
Opening times:

Tues-Sun 1000-1800

Website: http://www.macaumuseum.gov.mo
Admission Fees:

Yes (free on the 15th of each month)

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Mandarin’s House

This preserved private residence dates back to 1869, giving rich insight into the lifestyle and cultural practices of the day. Its 60-plus rooms incorporate a range of different architectural styles, with both Asian and European influences. Guided tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays.

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +853 2896 8820
Opening times:

Thurs-Tues 1000-1800

Website: http://www.wh.mo/mandarinhouse/en
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes

Lou Lim Ieoc Garden

This leafy Oriental garden is filled with shady trees, lotus ponds, golden bamboo groves, grottoes and a bridge with nine turns (since evil spirits can only move in straight lines). Locals use the park to practise tai chi or play traditional Chinese musical instruments, and the pavilion in the centre of the pond is used for temporary exhibits.

Address: , , ,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Daily 0600-2100

Website:
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Venetian Macao

Part of the colossally proportioned gambling-centred glitz of the Cotai Strip is this mega-resort. Named after its sister property in Las Vegas, the luxury Venetian is the largest casino complex on the planet and takes the Venice theme as far as humanly possible, with mock-Italianate architecture and canal-lined shops. It's well worth a visit even if you're not playing the tables.

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +853 2882 8888
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours.

Website: http://www.venetianmacao.com
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

A-Ma Temple

This warren-like temple complex of stone pavilions, gardens, statues and shrines is dedicated to A-Ma, the sea goddess after whom Macau is named. The spiritual atmosphere is frequently punctured by ear-splitting bursts of firecrackers, used to frighten away evil spirits. The earliest parts of the structure date back to 1488.

Address: , , ,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Daily 0700-1800

Website:
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: Yes

Macau Tower

At 338m (1,109ft) high, the skyline-bossing Macau Tower grants wide views across to the Chinese mainland from the 61st-floor observation deck. It's also a magnet for adrenaline junkies, who can skywalk the tower's perimeter, climb to its summit or brave the world's highest bungy.

Address: , , ,
Telephone: +853 2893 3339
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 1000-2100, Sat-Sun 0900-2100

Website: http://www.macautower.com.mo
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Senado Square

This photogenic Portuguese plaza features facades in pastel tones of tangerine and lime, plus the stone grey neo-classical Correios e Telegrafos - one of Asia's finest post office buildings. Don't miss the magnificent municipal chambers of the Leal Senado Building, complete with arched courtyards and blue and white patterned azulejo tiles.

Address: , , ,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours

Website:
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes

Tourist Offices

Macau Government Tourist Office

Address: , Largo do Senado, Edificio "Ritz", Macau,
Telephone: +853 8397 1120
Opening times:

0900-1800

Website: http://en.macaotourism.gov.mo

There are five different tourist information offices around Macau, including two at ferry terminals and one at the international airport. The office listed below, on Senado Square, is the most centrally located.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Featured Hotels

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Hotel Royal Macau

This newly renovated Macau hotel may be a little removed from the action, but it's all the more attractive for that reason. It's just up the hill from the wonderful Clube Militar de Macau restaurant and offers some good-value packages. It sits at the foot of Colina da Guia, Macau's landmark hill and the site of the historic Guia fort and lighthouse.

Ole London Hotel

This very pink, six-storey block with 60 rooms near the Inner Harbour boasts smart and spotless (if small) rooms. All rooms have private bathroom with hair dryer, TVs and a mini bar. Breakfast is included. Given its location and rates, the Ole London Hotel offers one of the best deals in town.

Parisian Macao

Open on the Cotai Strip since mid-2016 (and echoing its Gallic namesake in Las Vegas), the Parisian Macao features a half-size replica Eiffel Tower, complete with observation decks and nightly light shows. The hotel itself has a mind-boggling 3,000 rooms and suites, all furnished to a high standard, and there are numerous dining, shopping and entertainment options.

Grand Coloane Resort

Formerly the Westin Resort Macau, this five-star getaway overlooks gardens and a sandy beach on Coloane Island. It's long been favoured by visitors seeking a bit of peace and quiet in upscale surrounds. Each room has a sea or beach view, and there's an excellent spa and an adjoining golf course.

San Va Hotel

This cheap traditional-style guesthouse has a decent location in downtown Macau on the historic Rua da Felicidade (Happiness Street). The rooms are simple but clean and comfortable, and some of the doubles and twins have en-suite shower and bathroom. It was established in 1873, and claims to be the oldest existing guesthouse in Macau.

Pousada de São Tiago

Built into what was once a 17th-century fort that defended Macau against hostile invaders, this traditional Portuguese pousada is a romantic place to stay. It commands a splendid view of the Inner Harbour, and the interior décor, with its flagstones, wooden rafters and blue tiles, is a delight.