Ruins of St. Paul’s College (Former Mater Dei Church, forecourt and staircase)

The Ruins of St. Paul’s are the remains of the front façade of the Church of Mater Dei (commonly known as St. Paul’s Church). In 1835, a devastating fire destroyed the church, leaving its grand stone façade and the staircase in front. Since then, this site has become world-renowned as the Ruins of St. Paul’s. Locals call it “Da San Ba Pai Fong” because the façade resembles a traditional Chinese paifang (archway). This unique blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles makes the stone wall one of a kind among Catholic churches worldwide.

A-Ma Temple (Barra Temple)

A-Ma Temple already existed before the city of Macao came into being. It consists of the Gate Pavilion, the Memorial Arch, the Prayer Hall, the Hall of Benevolence, the Hall of Guanyin, and Zhengjiao Chanlin (a Buddhist pavilion). The variety of pavilions dedicated to the worship of different deities in a single complex make A-Ma Temple an exemplary representation of Chinese culture inspired by Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and multiple folk beliefs.

Guia Fortress, Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows and Lighthouse

The Guia Fortress, constructed between 1622 and 1638, crowns Guia Hill on the Macao Peninsula, offering sweeping views of the city below. Within the fortress grounds stand both a lighthouse and a chapel. The Guia Lighthouse, built in 1864, holds the distinction of being the first modern lighthouse on the Chinese coast, and its coordinates serve as Macao’s official geographical reference point on world maps. Beside it lies the Chapel of Our Lady of Snow, established in 1622. The chapel’s vaulted ceiling and walls are decorated with vivid frescoes that blend Chinese and Western artistic traditions, making it a truly unique landmark among Macao’s many churches.

Taipa Houses

Acclaimed as one of the top eight sights of Macao, the Taipa Houses represent the charming Portuguese architectural style of Taipa, with the five green houses standing out as the most iconic examples.

Built in 1921, these five houses once served as residences for senior civil servants, namely Macanese families. In 1992, they were officially recognized as a building complex of architectural value. Later, the government decided to fully restore the houses and convert them into a museum, which was opened to the public at the end of 1999 as the “Taipa Houses–Museum.”

Our Lady of Carmel Church

Built in 1885, this church stands on a hill overlooking the sea, Taipa Village and the restored mansions of Old Taipa Praia.

Mandarin's House

Built before 1869, this was the traditional Chinese residential compound home of prominent Chinese literary figure Zheng Guanying. It is a traditional Chinese compound consisting of several courtyard houses, displaying a mix of Chinese and Western detailing, such as the use of grey bricks against arched ornamentations and Chinese timber lattice windows against mother-of-pearl window panels of Indian origin.

Crab Congee

Macao Crab Congee is one of Macao's most representative authentic delicacies. This dish features a smooth Cantonese congee base, slow-cooked with fresh local water crabs and crab roe. The congee completely absorbs the essence of the seafood, delivering a golden, rich, and incredibly sweet flavor profile. As a coastal city located near the Pearl River Estuary, Macao offers the perfect environment for water crabs, which thrive where fresh and saltwater mix. This unique habitat results in plump, meaty, and exceptionally sweet crabs.

Portuguese Roasted Suckling Pig Stuffed with Rice

Portuguese Roasted Suckling Pig Stuffed with Rice is a highly representative signature dish in Macao. It blends the essence of crispy Portuguese roast suckling pig with Chinese fried rice. The suckling pig skin is roasted to an ultimate golden crisp, while the meat inside remains tender and juicy. The fried rice absorbs the rich essence of the pig fat, making it savory and aromatic with incredibly rich layers of texture.

Portuguese Egg Tarts

Macao Portuguese Egg Tart (Po Tat) combines the caramelized surface of the traditional Portuguese pastry, Pastel de Nata, with the smooth, velvety filling of a British egg tart. Its most defining feature is the crisp, flaky puff pastry with dozens of delicate layers, paired with a richly aromatic custard that is deeply milky and marked with signature caramelized spots. This iconic treat has officially been listed as part of Macao's intangible cultural heritage.