Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [249]
PAWNSHOP MUSEUM Map
Casa de Penhores Tradicional; 2892 1811; 396 Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro; admission MOP$5; 10.30am-7pm, closed 1st Mon of month
This museum is housed in the former pawnshop built in 1917, with the fortresslike eight-storey granite tower and slotted windows, where goods were stored on racks or in safes. Sharing the same building is the Cultural Club (Clube Cultural; 2892 1811; www.culturalclub.net; 390 Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro; admission free; 10.30am-8pm), which claims to look at various aspects of everyday life in Macau but is little more than a souvenir shop.
SOUND OF THE CENTURY MUSEUM Map
2892 1389; www.tai-peng.com/antique; 3rd fl, 13-15 Rua das Estalagens; admission MOP$30; 11am-5pm
From antique phonographs to tournaphones and echophones dating back to as early as 1882, the private collections of the owner of Tai Peng Electronics will definitely wow you, no matter if you are a phonograph enthusiast or not. Prior appointment is required.
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Southern Macau Peninsula
Southern Macau Peninsula is growing. To the southernmost is a rectangle of reclaimed land called NAPE, where reclamation hasn’t stopped yet. A new science museum is expected to be complete in 2010. This part of the peninsula also encompasses two more areas: that around the Macau Forum (a conference and exhibition space) and Tourist Activities Centre housing two museums; and the southwest corner of the peninsula. Buses 8, 12 and 17 – leaving from Ilha Verde, the ferry terminal and Luís de Camães Garden, respectively – will take you to NAPE, but the free casino shuttles provided by Sands, Babylon, Wynn Macau and MGM Grand are an alternative.
MACAU CULTURAL CENTRE Map
Centro Cultural de Macau; 2870 0699, 2855 5555; www.ccm.gov.mo; Avenida Xian Xing Hai; 9am-7pm Tue-Sun
This US$100 million centre is the territory’s prime venue for theatre, opera and other cultural performances.
MACAU MUSEUM OF ART Map
Museu de Arte de Macau; 8791 9814; www.artmuseum.gov.mo; Avenida Xian Xing Hai; adult/child under 12 & student/senior over 65 MOP$5/3/free, Sun admission free; 10am-7pm Tue-Sun
This five-storey complex within the Macau Cultural Centre is one of the best museums in Macau, and houses some excellent exhibits and collections of Chinese traditional art and paintings by Western artists who lived in Macau, such as George Chinnery (see the boxed text).
KUN IAM STATUE Map
Estátua de Kun Iam; Avenida Dr Sun Yat Sen
This 20m-high bronze figure, emerging Virgin Mary–like from a 7m-high lotus in the outer harbour, is probably the only statue in the world of the goddess of mercy that is not facing the sea. The Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre (Centro Ecuménico Kun Iam; 2875 1516; admission free; 10am-6pm Sat-Thu) in the Kun Iam’s ‘blossom’ has information on Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
GRAND PRIX MUSEUM Map
Museu do Grande Prémio; 8798 4108; Basement, CAT, 431 Rua de Luís Gonzaga Gomes; adult/child under 11 & senior over 60/child under 19 MOP$10/free/5, adult incl Macau Wine Museum MOP$20; 10am-6pm Wed-Mon
Cars from the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix, including the bright-red Triumph TR2 driven by Eduardo de Carvalho that won the first Grand Prix in 1954, are on display, while simulators let you test your racing skills.
MACAU SECURITY FORCES MUSEUM Map
Museu das Forças de Segurança de Macau; 2855 9999; Calçada dos Quartéis; admission free; 9am-5.45pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat & Sun
Housed in the 17th-century St Francis Barracks (Quartéis de São Francisco), this museum has two rooms of exhibits relating to the police and their work. The building is set in the lovely St Francis Garden (Jardim de São Francisco).
MACAU WINE MUSEUM Map
Museu do Vinho de Macau; 8798 4188; Basement, CAT, 431 Rua de Luís Gonzaga Gomes; adult/child under 11 & senior over 60/child under 19 MOP$15/free/5, adult incl Grand Prix Museum MOP$20; 10am-6pm Wed-Mon
This is probably the only museum in Macau where beverages are allowed. More than 1300 types of wines on display are