Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [252]
LOU LIM IOC GARDEN Map
Jardim de Lou Lim Ioc; 10 Estrada de Adolfo de Loureiro; 6am-9pm; 12
This picturesque Chinese garden was originally owned by Lou Wa Sio back in the 19th century and later inherited by his son Lou Lim Ioc. Now it’s open to the public and local people use the park to practise t’ai chi or play traditional musical instruments. It contains huge shady trees, lotus ponds, golden bamboo groves, grottoes and a bridge with nine turns (since evil spirits can only move in straight lines).
The Victorian-style Lou Lim Ioc Garden Pavilion (Pavilhão do Jardim de Lou Lim Ioc; 8988 4128; admission free; 9am-9pm Tue-Sun) was where the Lou family received guests, including Dr Sun Yat-sen, and is now used for exhibits and for recitals during the Macau International Music Festival ( Click here) in late October/November.
Adjacent to the garden is the Macao Tea Culture House (Caultura do Chá em Macau; 9am-7pm Tue-Sun), displaying the local tea culture with exhibits of various teapots.
SUN YAT SEN MEMORIAL HOME Map
Casa Memorativa de Doutor Sun Yat Sen; 2857 4064; 1 Rua de Silva Mendes; admission free; 10am-5pm Wed-Mon
Near Lou Lim Ioc Garden, this Moorish-style house was once a residence of Lu Muzhen, the first wife of the founder of the Chinese Republic, Dr Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925). She died in the upstairs back bedroom in 1952. This house replaced the original house, which blew up in 1930. Now it’s a museum dedicated to Dr Sun, though he had never lived here. You’ll find a collection of flags, photos and documents relating to the life and times of the ‘Father of the Nation’.
ST LAZARUS DISTRICT Map
Calçada da Igreja de São Lázaro; www.macauart.net/ts; 95 Avenida Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida; 10am-6pm Tue-Sun; 9, 12
Looking for a cheerful rest area amid densely populated northern Macau? Head to this beautiful district not far from the Cemetery of St Michael the Archangel. The cobbled streets and historic houses of this district offer a little taste of the sleepy Macau of old. The highlight here is the Albergue da Santa Casa da Misericórdia (aka Old Ladies’ House), home to a group of avant-garde designers working in a variety of media. It also houses the cheerful Locanda ( Click here) Italian restaurant in its courtyard.
TAP SEAC GALLERY Map
Galeria Tam Seac; www.macauart.net/ts; 95 Aven-ida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida; 10am-6pm Tue-Sun; 9, 12
Housed in a Moorish-style mansion dating back to the 1920s, this gallery is arguably the best place to view contemporary art in Macau, and exhibitions change regularly. Check its website for details. The gallery keeps the original patio in the middle of the house, which creates a light-filled, relaxed setting.
OX WAREHOUSE Map
Armazem de Boi; 2853 0026; oxwarehousenews.blogspot.coms; cnr Avenida do Coronel Mesquita & Avenida do Almirante Lacerda; noon-7pm Wed-Mon; 1A, 12
Local Chinese artists have their own studios near the Canidrome called Ox Warehouse. Once a slaughterhouse, it is now a colourful quarter for artists and hosts avant-garde installations and performances. Between 3pm and 7pm on the weekends the rest area on the 2nd floor turns into a cafe, serving passable coffee.
LIN FUNG TEMPLE Map
Lin Fung Miu; Avenida do Almirante Lacerda; 10am-6.30pm; 12
Once Taoist but now dedicated to Kun Iam, this temple (built in 1592) was where people from Guangdong province would stay when they visited Macau, including Lin Zexu, the commissioner charged with stamping out the opium trade, who stayed here in September 1839. The Lin Zexu Memor-ial Hall (Museu de Lin Zexu; 2855 0166; tourist/local adult MOP$10/5, child under 8 & senior over 65 MOP$3; 9am-5pm Tue-Sun), with its old photographs, a model of a Chinese war junk and opium-smoking paraphernalia, recalls his visit.
KUN IAM TEMPLE Map
Kun Iam Tong; Avenida do Coronel Mesquita; 10am-6pm; 1A, 12
This is probably the most active temple in Macau and is also dedicated to the goddess