5 Best Sights in Coloane, Macau

Quiet, relaxed Coloane Village is home to traditional Portuguese-style houses painted in pastels, as well as the baroque-style Chapel of St. Francis Xavier and the Taoist Tam Kung Temple, dedicated to the god of seafarers. The narrow alleys reveal surprises at every turn; you may well encounter fishermen repairing their junks or a baptism at the chapel. At the village’s heart is a small square adorned with a fountain with a bronze Cupid. The slow-moving pace picks up a bit on weekends, when travelers swarm the streets seeking for the perfect photo op beside wall murals and the Portuguese and Chinese restaurants fill up.

This huge complex built in a traditional Qing Dynasty style pays homage to Macau’s namesake, A-Ma. The vibrancy and color of the details in the bell and drum towers, the tiled roofs, and the carved marble altars are awe-inspiring. It’s as if you’ve been transported back centuries and can see temples in their true greatness. Other remarkable details include the striking rows of stairs leading to Tin Hau Palace at the entrance. Each row features painstakingly detailed marble and stone carvings of auspicious Chinese symbols: a roaring tiger, double lions, five cranes, the double phoenix, and a splendid imperial dragon.

Behind A-Ma Cultural Village, Coloane Hill rises 170 meters (560 feet) above the sea and is crowned by a 65-foot, white-marble statue of A-Ma lording over Coloane. You can make the short hike up to the top or take one of the shuttle buses that leave from the base of the hill every 30 minutes.

Race enthusiasts and thrill-seekers should head to the Macau Motor Sports Club, opposite the Coloane reservoir. Drivers must be at least 16 years old and have a driver’s license, as 200cc engine go-karts can reach speeds up to 60 kph (37 mph). The track is 1.2 km (0.7 miles) long, 10 meters (33 feet) wide, and has 10 challenging curves. Aim for a lap time under 50 seconds on a sunny day. Take note: the track closes at even the whiff of inclement weather, and you need to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

Translated from Chinese, hác sá means “black sand.” Today, though, the beaches look a shade more golden, as the once-grayish sands have been mixed with yellow sand to prevent erosion. This quiet corner of Macau is a great place to hike, enjoy a picnic, or dabble in water sports. Cool off in the Olympic-size Hác Sá Park pool (open from May 1 until October 31; MOP$15 for adults; MOP$5 for kids under 12). Hike the easy Hác Sá family trail. Play a round of 18 at the Macau Golf and Country Club. Then finish with a bite to eat on the beach.

This large, family-friendly park has extensive botanical gardens, ponds, and waterfalls, as well as the popular Giant Panda Pavilion and a walk-through aviary with more than 200 bird species. There are lots of things of interest to children, including playgrounds, a minizoo with flamingos, monkeys, and other animals, and an interactive museum with exhibits on nature and agriculture.