Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3, 6A, 9, 9A,16)
South of the Church of St Lawrence is the headquarters of the Macau SAR government.
This pillared, rose-coloured building with two stories and three wings was built in 1849 for
a Portuguese noble. It's open to the public two days a year, usually in September or October.
TAOIST, TEMPLE
SAM KAI VUI KUN TEMPLE
Literally 'a community hall for three streets', this temple was a meeting place for merchants
and an adjudication court, before the Chinese Chamber of Commerce came into existence in
1912. It's dedicated to Kwan Yu, the god of war and justice. It gets particularly busy in May,
June and July when locals celebrate three festivals in the god's honour.
BUILDING
CHINESE READING ROOM
This former drinks booth (c 1926), known as the 'Octagonal Pavilion' in Chinese, is a lib-
rary with red windows and a slip of a staircase linking the two floors. It's a serene place
where middle-aged and elderly men go to read newspapers for free.
STREET
STREET OF HAPPINESS
Not far west of Largo do Senado is Rua da Felicidade (Street of Happiness). Its shuttered
terraces were once Macau's main red-light district. Several scenes from
Indiana Jones and
the Temple of Doom
were shot here. The government has plans to repaint the famous red
shutters in the original colour - green. But whether it's wise to change the distinguishing
feature of so iconic a landmark remains to be seen.
TEMPLE
LIN FUNG TEMPLE
28B)
Dedicated to Kwun Yum, the Goddess of Mercy, this Temple of the Lotus was built in 1592,
but underwent several reconstructions from the 17th century. It used to host mandarins from
Guǎngdōng province when they visited Macau. The most famous of these imperial visitors
was Commissioner Lin Zexu who was charged with stamping out the opium trade.
HISTORIC BUILDING
G32
