Walking in the Historic Center of Macao, You Will Begin to Appreciate the Culture and Tradition of This Unique City

In the Taipa Houses–Museum, one of the "eight scenic spots of Macao", you are able to have glimpse of what life was like for the traditional Macanese people. The Chinese-western style furniture, exhibits, and decorations displayed in the museum, as well as the old photos on display, will take you back to the Macao of old. Taipa Houses–Museum is mainly composed of five Portuguese houses lining the seaside road. They were once the senior officials' residences on Macao's outlying islands. Three of these houses have been transformed into the "Macanese Living Museum", "Creative Casa" and "Nostalgic House" from the west to the east, and all are open to the public to learn about Macao’s history.

A-Ma Temple built in the Ming Dynasty was built over 500 years ago and is the oldest existing building in Macao. The A-Ma Temple is the temple of goddess Mazu. Although the temple is small, a lot of people come here and give offerings all year round. Huge incense coils hang high which have become an attraction in itself. There is a Mazu statue in mountain behind A-Ma Temple. Visitors can go to the mountain after visiting A-Ma Temple to view the statue. There are many local delicacies within the alleys around the temple, such as Royal Congee, Cafe T.H.S. Honolulu, and A-Ma Changcheng Barbecue, all of which are very popular amongst tourists and locals alike.

The Ruins of St. Paul's is a historic site in Macao. It used to be the front wall of St. Paul's Cathedral. The church was destroyed by fire in 1835, leaving only 68 stone steps and the granite front walls. The Chinese called it Paifang because it resembles the Chinese arch. St. Paul's Cathedral is a baroque building, which has various floors and its walls are carved with artistic images of different shapes representing a strong Christian influence from top to bottom. The Paifang's sculptures showcase a unique blend of Chinese and Western style fine arts.

At the end of the 16th century, the Institute for Civic and Municipal Affairs was built in the bustling center of Macao. It was originally a Chinese pavilion where government meetings where held during the Ming dynasty, at which government orders were read out to the public. After many renovations, it began to feature southern European architecture and went on to become the political heart of the Portuguese in Macao during those times. The area in front of the meeting pavilion opposite the Institute is the busiest place in Macao. Locals like to sit around the square, eating or drinking to relax themselves. The surrounding buildings feature typical European architectural styles and make you as if you were abroad.

The Moorish Barracks was once a barracks for Indian police. It was a masonry building and was covered in Arabian colors, patterns and designs. In stark contrast to the rough granite foundation walls, the cloister running along the Barracks has been decorated in an Islamic style, with pointed arches, pillars, and clover-shaped decorations. The Moorish Barracks are located on the hillside, just around the corner from the A-Ma Temple, and the typhoon signal station on the roof of the building lets fishermen, ships, and residents know about any tropical cyclone warnings. The development of the port resulted in the Macao Port Authority office being relocated, and the importance of the Moorish Barracks has gradually faded.

The Na Tcha Temple, located next to the Ruins of St. Paul's, was constructed in the 17th century and is dedicated to the worship of the deity Na Tcha. The temple is seen as a symbol of Chinese and Western cultures coexisting in harmony in Macao. The temple's Chinese architectural style and the Ruins of St. Paul's baroque style complement each other, something which can only be seen in Macao. The Na Tcha temple has two entrances and no central courtyard, which is quite rare in traditional Chinese temples. Statues of Na Tcha are enshrined in different postures in the main hall, and the middle statue is lively and full of spiritual energy, much like the image portrayed in the popular children's movie "Prince Nezha's Triumph Against the Dragon King".

Built in 1860, the Dom Pedro V Theater was China's first Western-style theater and was once one of the main venues for western art performances in China. The Asian premiere of Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly" took place here. The Dom Pedro V Theater exterior is styled in neoclassical and Greek Revival styles. Walls are painted in a pale green, which brings out the jasper green doors and windows and the red roof. The surroundings are primarily yellow, which makes them distinguished and independent yet still in harmony with the rest of the building.

Saint Dominic's Church is over 400 years old and is located near the Ruins of St. Paul's. The church is dedicated to the Portuguese "Our Lady of Fatima". Legend has it that the Virgin Mary appeared in Fatima in Portugal a hundred years earlier, and was therefore respected by the Portuguese. The church is close to bustling shops and scenic spots. Its beige and white exterior, together with its small, fresh green doors and windows and exquisitely carved patterns are what make this church, dedicated to the Our Lady of Fatima, "the most beautiful church in Macao". There is a small, three-story museum in the church, displaying many interesting and superb oil paintings and statues, the most famous of which being the image of Jesus Christ, where we can see the characteristics and styles of ancient Spanish religious art.

As the highest administrative body of the Catholic Church in Macau, the Cathedral is the highest-ranking church in Macau. A symbol of sacred power, a visit to the Cathedral is a must for all Macao governors. Now it is a very popular tourist attraction thanks to its magnificent southern European architectural style. The cathedral is divided into two parts: In the middle is the main body of the church, and the windows are inlaid with religious and artistic stained glass; The big clock on the bell tower was made in England, and the bell is rung to remind locals whenever an important mass is taking place on Macao.

The Fortress of Our Lady of the Mount of St. Paul is located on Persimmon Hill, near the Ruins of St. Paul's, and is an important historical site in Macao. This was once the center of Macao's defense system and, together with other forts, formed an artillery defense network that protected every corner of Macao. Its location at the highest point in the center of Macao, makes the Fortress of Our Lady of the Mount of St. Paul an excellent place to take in a panoramic view of Macao. Looking beyond ancient cannons through the crenels, Macao looks like a big sand table.