Elite Traveler Fall 2019

EXPLORE MACAU

GUIDE TO MACAU A tiny speck in the South China Sea, just an hour by ferry west of Hong Kong, Macau never fails to charm visitors with its unexpected mix of Portuguese and Chinese cultures. A Portuguese colony from the mid-16th century until 1999, when sovereignty was transferred to mainland China, Macau has seen an astonishing amount of development over the past 20 years. The city of 623,000-some people has all but transformed, ushering in a nonstop stream of high-profile hotels, world- class entertainment and Michelin-starred restaurants. Getting around is relatively easy with lots of taxis zipping past major hotels, as well as an incoming light rail that will connect the main peninsula with two islands, Taipa and Coloane, across the water to the south. The main peninsula is where you’ll find the majority of the territory’s historic sites, from gorgeous Senado Square and the Ruins of St Paul’s to the hilltop Guia Fortress and Lighthouse, and the waterfront A-Ma Temple. But there’s plenty to do on Taipa as well. Culture buffs will adore the charming cobbled lanes of Taipa Village, while gamblers may want to test their luck in a VIP room at The Venetian.

by Kate Springer

TAKE THREE/// LANDMARKS

RUINS OF ST PAUL’S From Senado Square, follow the signs through the streets and alleyways until the intricately carved stone facade of the Ruins of St Paul’s comes into view. This is all that’s left of a 17th-century Jesuit church that was destroyed by a devastating fire in the 1800s. Before it burned down, the grand church was said to be among the largest in Asia. Behind the facade, a steel staircase enables you to climb to the top, where you’ll find an informative exhibition that details the building’s architectural style and tragic history. Meanwhile, Macau Museum — one of the region’s most important history museums — is right next door. macaumuseum.gov.mo

TAIPA HOUSES–MUSEUM Another top landmark for history lovers is Taipa Houses–Museum, which is just a 10-minute walk from the main village. On the waterfront of this outdoor complex, knobby banyan trees shade a row of five radiant turquoise houses. Inside the refurbished houses, you can explore historic exhibits, Portuguese costumes and household antiques to get a feel for the lifestyles of wealthy Portuguese merchants and government employees in the early 1900s. Head west along Avenida da Praia, and you’ll come across a few neighboring landmarks, including the glorious Carmel Garden and the buttery yellow Our Lady of

The Taipa Houses- Museum

SENADO SQUARE You can’t go to Macau without experiencing Senado Square. Part of the Unesco-listed historic city center, the 16th-century public square features iconic wave-patterned tiles that seem to undulate underfoot. All around are pastel-painted colonial-era buildings, including St Dominic’s Church, the Holy House of Mercy and Leal Senado (the seat of the former colonial government). While the square has become a major landmark, it remains one of the most important cultural centers in the territory and is the site of many festivals

Carmel Church. icm.gov.mo/en/ housesmuseum

throughout the year. macauheritage.net