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dragon rising from the dome towards the roof. In
other hotels, there aremusical fountains, marine
life aquariums and life-sized statues that make
for a perfect photo opportunity for visitors.
Portuguese Heritage
Macau was administered by the Portuguese
Empire until it finally gained independence
in late 1999. The influence can be seen in the
architecture of the city’s old buildings that bear
an uncanny resemblance to the architecture
in Malacca. What make these buildings even
more beautiful are the efforts made by Macau’s
government in preserving them. Most of these
old buildings have been repurposed into shops,
offices and even malls, like the one in Senado
Square. It is here that many of the locals gather
for leisure, and come the evening, buskers
showcase their musical talents to encouraging
applause from the crowd.
A 66 stone-steps climb from Senado Square
will take you to where the Ruins of St Paul’s is
located. It is the ruins of a 16th-century com-
plex, which also includes what was originally
St. Paul’s College and the Church of St. Paul.
In 2005, the site was officially listed as part of
the Historic Centre of Macau, a UNESCOWorld
Heritage Site. If you are looking for reasonably
priced souvenirs to take home, there are a
few vendors selling an interesting selection of
trinkets.
Macau Fisherman’s Wharf is another place
to go to experience Macau behind all the tall
buildings and crowds. The theme park is
located near the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Pier,
housing over 150 stores and restaurants. The
buildings here are built in the style of different
world seaports such as Cape Town, Amsterdam
and Venice.
Bright sky at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf
A climb up to the Ruin of St Paul’s