Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TEMPLES FOR LESSER-KNOWN DEITIES
Macau has a few interesting temples dedicated to important but lesser-worshipped
gods.
TEMPLE
NA TCHA TEMPLE
There's no better symbol of Macau's cultural diversity than Na Tcha Temple sitting
quietly beside a major Christian monument - the Ruins of the Church of St Paul. Built
around 1888, it was dedicated to the child god of war to halt the plague occurring at
that time. The wall outside, often said to be a section of Macau's old city walls, in fact
belonged to the former St Paul's College located at the ruins.
TEMPLE
NU WA TEMPLE
This tiny temple in a faded yellow building, also built in 1888, was consecrated to
the serpent-like Nu Wa - the Chinese equivalent of Gaia, the creator goddess. Unlike
most other divinities worshipped in Macau, Nu Wa does not offer services associated
with the sea. Instead, she gives divine assistance to marital and fertility matters. Her
likeness sits among those of other deities in the cluttered and smoky temple.
TEMPLE
HONG KUNG TEMPLE
This peaceful, 200-year-old temple is dedicated to Li Lie, a Han-dynasty general.
The boat-shaped sculpture in the main hall is used to offer wine to the deities during
religious festivities.
Southern Macau Peninsula
MUSEUM
MACAU MUSEUM OF ART
Centre, Avenida Xian Xing Hai;adult/child MOP$5/2, Sun free; 10am-6.30pm Tue-Sun; 1A, 8, 12,
23)
This excellent five-storey museum has well-curated displays of art created in Macau and
China, including paintings by Western artists like George Chinnery, who lived in the en-
clave. Other highlights are ceramics and stoneware excavated in Macau, Ming- and Qing-
