Macao Off The Beaten Path Tips by xiquinho

Four Faces Buddha

There are two Four Faces Buddha in Macau: one at the end of the car park of the Macau Jockey Club on Taipa Island; and the other at the International Centre close to the wharf which is a very interesting monument in an ornate Thai Style.

Historic Archives

Contains letters, books and manuscripts pertaining to Portugal's exploration and Macau's relations with Europe, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia from a wide variety of governmental, civic, ecclesiastic and private sources. The most valuable have been put on microfilm, including 7500 items dating from 1587 to 1786.

The archives are houses in one of the mansions in colonial style in Avenida de Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida restored by the Macau Government which won the Pacific Area Travel Association's Heritage Award, in 1982.

Old Protestant Cemetery

Among those buried here: Dr. Robert Morrison, who compiled the first English and Chinese dictionary and translated the Bible into Chinese; George Chinnery, an artist who lived in Macau in the 18th century; Capt. Lord John Spencer Churchill, Commander of H.M. Ship Druid and an ancestor of Sir Winston Churchill; also seamen and non-Portuguese Traders.

Air-Raid Shelters

On top of the Guia Hill, besides the already well-known structures, the Guia lighthouse, Guia Fort and Our Lady of Guia Chapel, there are also some underground tunnels, which are commonly known as air raid shelters, extending in all directions. The longest tunnel is 456 metres and the shortest 47. In the past the tunnels were off-limits military installations surrounded by barbed wire, equipped with electricity generators, rest rooms and oil tanks.

Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Closed on Mondays, except public holidays).

Below Guia Hill is the Flora Garden, which can be reached by steps or a cable car that takes visitors to street level in just 80 seconds.

Phone: (853) 870 277

Our Lady of Guia Chapel and Lighthouse

A small chapel was first built in the 17th century as part of the Guia Fortress and the present chapel dates from 1637. During the restoration of the chapel in 1996, the oldest vestige of mural paintings that dates back to the construction of the hermitage in 1622 were discovered. The recovered paintings are characterized by rich cultural meaning, a combination of Chinese and Western symbols, including angels wearing traditional oriental costumes.

The Lighthouse was the first on the China Coast, built by a local born Portuguese, Carlos Vicente da Rocha.

Barrier Gate (Portas do Cerco)

Situated at the northern most point of Macau, the stone gate that traditionally marked the border with China is now maintained in a small park. It was erected in 1870 and is inscribed with a quotation from Camoes: 'Honour your country for your country is watching you". Today's travellers use the modern buildings on either side, which house immigration and customs. The border is open from 7 am to midnight.

Barrier Gate (Portas do Cerco)

Situated at the northern most point of Macau, the stone gate that traditionally marked the border with China is now maintained in a small park. It was erected in 1870 and is inscribed with a quotation from Camoes: 'Honour your country for your country is watching you". Today's travellers use the modern buildings on either side, which house immigration and customs. The border is open from 7 am to midnight.