Exploring Macau on Foot

After we finished our hotel hopping in some of the elegant hotels of Macau we went to Senado Square (Largo do Senado). From Grand Lisboa we walked along Avenida d Infante D. Henrique. In approximately 10 minutes we were be able to reach the Senado Square.

Largo de Senado (Senado Square)

The Senado Square is a paved area in the center of Macau enclosed by the buildings of the Leal Senado, the General Post Office, and St. Dominic’s Church. The square is paved in the traditional Portuguese pavement. The main road of Macau’s historic centre, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro passes through the square. The square is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Centre of Macau”. – wikipedia.com

Santa Casa De MisdricordiaSt. Dominic Church

We went to the Macau Business Tourism Centre first to get a map of Macau. We walked inside the alleys to look for a place to eat but found nothing appealing so we just ended up having our lunch at McDonald’s.

Afterwards, we continued our exploration of the place by walking inside the alleys. There were a lot of stores located in the square like milk tea stores (which I started to like), apparel stores and shops, and some stores that sells souvenirs and local goods. Of course, there are also hawkers selling the ever famous cookies and beef jerky. They have free samples to taste and I tried one but I didn’t like it though (or I’m not just in the mood to have some).

Alley going to Ruins of St. Paul

There are signs visible in every corner of the streets. We just followed the signs going to the ruins and after minutes of walking we were able to reach the Ruins of St. Paul’s.

Ruins of St. Paul Church (1)

Aside from the hotels, this is the one that made me excited to go to Macau. This one is one the most famous landmarks in Macau. I suppose a Macau get away will never be complete without getting here.

And this what has been left from the 17th century Portuguese cathedral dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle.

Ruins of St. Paul Church (2)

Built from 1582 to 1602 by the Jesuits, the cathedral was the largest Catholic church in Asia at the time, and the royalty of Europe vied with each other to bestow upon the cathedral the best gifts. With the decline in importance of Macau, which was overtaken as the main port for the Pearl River Delta by Hong Kong, the cathedral’s fortunes similarly ebbed, and it was destroyed by a fire during a typhoon in 1835. – wikipedia.com

Despite ruins are ruined structures, they still look aristocratic and refined. I like its stone facade which is really picturesque. Its historic setting was really good for some look book moments so me and my best did some photo ops. Despite of our tiredness, we were still able to pose for the camera.

Ruins of St. Paul Church (3)

Then we moved on to our next destination, Macau Tower. The tower offers the best panoramic view of Macau as it stands 338 m (1,109 ft) in height from ground level to the highest point.

From Largo do Senado (Senado Square) we headed towards Avenida Do Infante Dom Henrique then turned right to Avenida de Praia Grandem then walk edstraight to Avenida Doutur Stanley Ho until we reached the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center.

It was a very long walk going to the tower. I was really tired. I already wanted to pause for awhile from walking and sit down but we needed to move on since it was already getting dark.

It took us about 30 minutes until we reached the tower. I must say this one was more tiring than all the trekking I did in Sagada last month.The tower is an observation deck with panoramic views, restaurants, theaters, shopping malls and the Skywalk X, a thrilling walking tour around the outer rim. Here’s also where the thrilling sky jump and bungee jump is.

Macau Tower

There’s a fee to get to the observation deck. We’re on a tight budget so we just settled ourselves looking at the tower from the ground.

Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center

With nothing much to explore in the place, we’ve decided to move to our next destination, Wynn Hotel for the shows. The hotel is a bit far from the tower and we don’t like to do some kilometers of walking again. We planned to take a public bus but decided to take the free shuttle bus of City of Dreams. The bus then took us to the City of Dreams and from there we took a bus going to MGM. Wynn Hotel is just a short walk from MGM, bright idea isn’t it. That’s what we got when we’re on a budget, use the free shuttle buses!

Nothing beats walking when exploring a place. I know it’s tiring but the journey itself is rewarding. Our Macau on foot tour let us discovered and be amazed on people we’ve met and saw on the road.

Trip Tips:

  • Visit the Macau Business Tourism Centre for further tourist spots and attractions directions and queries. They provide maps and brochures.
  • Stores and shops are available in the Largo do Senado (Senado Square) but only limited restaurants available
  • Stores selling souvenir and local goods and hawkers selling cookies and beef jerky are available in the alley to Ruins of St. Paul’s
  • Bring a bottled drinking water and snack with you because you may get tired and hungry from a lot of walking
  • The best time to enjoy the Macau Tower Observation deck is before/during sunset. Visit their website (provided below) for Macau Tower adventure rates

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10 Responses

  1. The Ruins of St.Paul has become the iconic landmark of Macau even in travel mags and calendars. I agree Macau experience is not complete without visiting the ruin church.

  2. The Ruins of St.Paul has become the iconic landmark of Macau even in travel mags and calendars. I agree Macau experience is not complete without visiting the ruin church.

  3. marxtermind says:

    @Malditang "Kura"cha, nako wala akong pang bungee jump kahit gusto ko. Kung mag bungee jump ako parang tumalon ako kasama ang PHP10,000. Hahaha!

  4. marxtermind says:

    @Malditang "Kura"cha, nako wala akong pang bungee jump kahit gusto ko. Kung mag bungee jump ako parang tumalon ako kasama ang PHP10,000. Hahaha!

  5. wow naman! slamat sa free tour. hihih! kala ko magb-bungee ka rin. if ever meron sa Pinas, try natin ha. =) I love the ruins by the way. Kung buo siya, tapos maglalakad dun sa pathway ng naka traje de boda… ang bongga bongga lang. Nagtataka lang ako na parang sinadya na 1 side lang ang natira.

  6. wow naman! slamat sa free tour. hihih! kala ko magb-bungee ka rin. if ever meron sa Pinas, try natin ha. =) I love the ruins by the way. Kung buo siya, tapos maglalakad dun sa pathway ng naka traje de boda… ang bongga bongga lang. Nagtataka lang ako na parang sinadya na 1 side lang ang natira.

  7. marxtermind says:

    @Mien Tiangco, sana may outing naman tayo this summer! hehehe…

  8. marxtermind says:

    @Mien Tiangco, sana may outing naman tayo this summer! hehehe…

  9. Mien Tiangco says:

    kaw na makarating ng macau:)…kaw na d best ka ei.Ganda ng mga kuha mo parang kuha ng professional photographer.Isama mo naman kmi…hehehe

    by:M13N

  10. Mien Tiangco says:

    kaw na makarating ng macau:)…kaw na d best ka ei.Ganda ng mga kuha mo parang kuha ng professional photographer.Isama mo naman kmi…hehehe

    by:M13N

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