In the 18th and early 19th centuries Taipa consisted of two hilly islands and a protected harbour which provided an anchorage for clipper ships and Indians engaged in trade with China. Smaller vessels would transship the cargoes of muslin, manufactured goods and opium up the Pearl River to Canton and return with tea, silk, and porcelain for export around the world. Taipa is now once again an international gateway with the opening of the Macau International Airport.
Pou Tai Un
Situated close to the bridge, this is the largest temple on the islands and still growing. New buildings with yellow-tiled roofs, vividly painted carved wooden eaves and ornate balconies stand overlooking older prayer halls, gardens with statues, carp ponds and classical pavilion as well as vegetable plots which, supply the kitchens of the vegetarian restaurant.
For enquiries: (853) 2881 1007
Taipa Village
Chinese shophouses, Portuguese-style offices, small temples and a former firecracker factory share the narrow streets and alleys of this busy, colourful village. Hanging flower baskets and old-fashioned street lamps make it an appealing place to stroll, and the numerous restaurants along the Rua da Cunha (known as Food Street) are popular destinations for Portuguese, Macanese, Chinese, or other cuisines.
Carmel Gardens and Taipa Praia
On a hill to the east of the village looking towards the causeway and Coloane Island is Our Lady of Carmel, a neo-classical church built in 1885. Paths wind down from the church square through the hillside Carmel Gardens to the Avenida da Praia, a tree-lined pedestrian area which harks back to the early days of the 20th century. Five restored Mediterranean style residences of the 1920's look out on the former anchorage of China trade clipper ships, and one of the buildings, the Macanese House Museum, contains period furnishings of Chinese and European styles and mementoes of Macanese life at the time. Taipa Praia is one of the best places to catch a cooling breeze in summer, and an ornate kiosk with cafe tables provides refreshments.
Flower City Garden
Located across the street from the ParknShop supermarket in the centre of Taipa's high-rise residential area, this walled garden is a modern interpretation of the classical Chinese garden, with traditional lotus ponds, winding bridges, and small pavilions, but it also incorporates a children's playground and a skating and scooter area.
University of Macau
Offers degrees in Arts, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, and Law. The strikingly modern campus occupies a small hill on the north side of Taipa Island, facing the Outer Harbour of Macau. At the main entrance to the university is the Administration Building, where an information desk is located. Behind the Administration Building is a long stone stairway (and escalator) leading to the central quadrangle formed by the Tai Fung Building and three other classroom buildings. It is worth a visit to see the Nine Dragon Wall at the top of the stairs, the central gardens, and the views from various parts of the campus. Other buildings include the Student Union Building and canteen, the Sports Complex, staff and student residences, and the new International Library with its stylish Library Café, which is open to the public.
Macau University of Science and Technology
Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) is committed to providing quality higher education to serve the needs of the Asia-Pacific region, and is determined to develop itself into an international academic institution.
MUST has established seven faculties: Faculty of Information Technology, Faculty of Management and Administration, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of International Tourism, Faculty of Health Sciences and Faculty of Humanities and Arts. In addition, they also have the School of Graduate Studies and the School of Continuing Studies to ensure effective systematic management and stable long-term development.
The university campus is beautifully constructed with many spacious and bright classrooms. A state-of-the-art computer network, including wireless access to the internet, connects the whole campus, and LCD monitors are a standard feature. Using advanced optical fiber technology, the computer network and the digital IP telephone network are interlinked to provide efficient communication services. The University has invested strongly in advanced technologies to support teaching/learning processes, so as to ensure high quality education.
Macau Jockey Club
Weekend afternoon and mid-week might meetings are held on this modern, flood-it grass track, while punters can watch from the well-appointed, air-conditioned grandstand, containing restaurants and state-of-the-art computerized betting equipment. Horses are from Australia, Ireland and America, as do many of the trainers and jockeys. For more information, please visit website of Macau Jockey Club or call Macau (853) 2882 0868, HK Toll free 800967822.
Macau Stadium
Opened in early 1997 next to the Raceway, this sports arena has seats for 15,000. It has two playing fields for soccer, hockey, and track and field, plus two gymnasiums for basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics. The stadium is used for local and international sports events, gala occasions, and pop concerts.
Hiking Trails and Bicycling
Taipa Island's two highest hills, Taipa Grande and Taipa Pequena, are circled by nature trails which provide panoramic views of the entire Macau area. The Taipa Grande trail is reached by way of a short paved road off the Estrada Colonel Nicolau de Mesquita, near the United Chinese Cemetery. Adjacent to the trail on the east side of Taipa Grande, near the airport, is the Taipa Grande Nature Park. The Taipa Pequena trail can be accessed from the Estrada Lou Lim Ieoc, behind the Regency Hotel. Bicycles for touring the islands are available from a rental kiosk near the bus stop adjacent to Museum of Taipa and Coloane History in Taipa Village.
Coloane Island
When Macau was the center of trade between China and the West, the island of Coloane, with its deserted coves, rugged cliffs, large sea caves, and densely forested hills, proved a convenient base for pirates who preyed on the rich cargoes. Today its sandy beaches, hiking trails, and other outdoor attractions make it a pleasurable retreat.
Coloane Village
The heart of Coloane Village is the central square where the bus stop is located as well as several restaurants and the popular Lord Stow's Bakery. The village itself stretches north to the junk-building yards and the old ferry pier, and south along the waterfront promenade to the Tam Kung temple, dedicated to the Taoist God of Seafarers. Halfway along the waterfront is the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier and its picturesque Portuguese-style square, with busy cafes under the shelter of the arcades.
Seac Pai Van Park
Situated in the wooded hills on the west side of the island, not far from the causeway to Taipa, this park is a popular place for family outings. There are children's playgrounds, picnic areas, flowerbeds, a small zoo, and a large walk-in aviary which is home to peacocks, pheasants, and other colorful species. There is also a garden of native medicinal plants and the small but attractive Museum of Nature and Agriculture.
Alto de Coloane Park & Statue of A-Ma
This park, high on Coloane Peak (170m), is reached by the Estrada do Alto de Coloane which begins just south of Seac Pai Van Park. The road leads first to the parking area for the newly-developed Recreational Fishing Zone, the Arboretum (which features more than 100 species of local and exotic trees), and the main access to the Coloane Hiking Trail. It continues on to the top of the Peak where there is another car park, the new Alto de Coloane picnic area, and the statue of the Goddess A-Ma. Visible from far out in the South China Sea, with a height of 19.99 metres (commemorating the year Macau once again became part of China), the statue crowns Coloane Peak. A-Ma is venerated by fishermen and sailors and therefore has always had a special significance in Macau.
Hiking Trails
Coloane Island boasts an extensive network of well-maintained hiking and fitness trails. Trail maps are available at the information booth at the entrance to Seac Pai Van Park and at the trailheads. The trails are accessible from Seac Pai Van Park, from the various roadside picnic parks on the island, and from both Cheoc Van and Hac Sa beaches. It is also possible to join the main Coloane Trail, which circles the island at a height of about 100 metres above sea level, from various points on Coloane Peak. The main trailhead is on the Estrada do Alto de Coloane, near the Recreational Fishing Zone.
Equitation Training Centre
The equestrian school of Macau is situated on the second street on the left of the exit of the Coloane Town through the street to the Cheoc Van beach. Look for the gate decorated with horse's heads.
Karting Track
* The Karting Track will be closed for renovation from 3rd of January, 2012 until further notice.
The track is located on the reclaimed land area opposite Seac Pai Van Park. It has floodlights, a choice of seven different circuits, and paddocks for more than 200 karts. You can visit Entertainment for more details.
Beaches
Both Cheoc Van Beach and Hác-Sá Beach are popular with swimmers and sunbathers. The water is clean although it often appears brown because of silt from the Pearl River. Cheoc Van Beach occupies a sheltered cove on the west side of Coloane Island. At one end is a sandy swimming beach with changing facilities and a snack bar, and at the other is a free-form swimming pool. The Nautical Club, a marina where members keep various types of recreational watercraft, is near the beach. There is also a youth hostel, a pousada (inn), and two restaurants with terraces overlooking the water.
Beyond Cheoc Van is Hác-Sá Beach, where the long beach, with its unique black-tinged sand ("hac sa" means "black sand") invites walking by the sea. Along the beach are a youth hostel, the Youth Centre for Water Sports, and a sports complex with an Olympic-size swimming pool, children's pool, tennis courts, and a sports field. There are also playgrounds, picnic and camping areas, and a variety of snack stands, cafes, and restaurants.
Water Activities Centre
At the Hác-Sá Reservoir, behind the Hác-Sá Picnic Park on the main road above the beach, the new Water Activities Centre offers pedal boat rentals, a refreshment pavilion, and a fitness circuit which runs through the wooded area around the reservoir. A long swinging bridge provides pedestrian access from the parking area. For more information, please contact (853) 8988 4118.
Macau Golf and Country Club
For golf enthusiasts, the Macau Golf and Country Club is located on a hill beyond the end of Hác Sá beach. Please call (853) 2887 1188 for more information.
