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Chic . Explore . ThinkerTen

My Style ~ My Journey ~ My Inspiration

MacauTravel

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul’s Macau

by kumamonjeng March 30, 2019
written by kumamonjeng March 30, 2019
Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul’s Macau

You can never be in Macau without a photo of the St Paul ruins, this is the landmark of Macau. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site.  It is a 17th-century Portuguese church dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle.

This is the everyone favorite Macau tourist spot. We took a taxi from A-Ma temple, just 10-15 mins as there was some traffic near the ruins.

The original structure was made of wood which was burned down in a fire leaving only the granite facade and 68 stone steps up.  Be prepared of the tourist crowd and I doubt you are able to get a good picture.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

At the foot of the St Paul ruins, you find plenty of souvenir stores and street food.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

St Paul Ruin Street Food

There are several must-try street foods you may want to try when you are in this area.  Check them out.

1. Portuguese Egg tart

It usually costs 10 HKD or  10 Macanese pataca but sometimes you can get it at 8 HKD or Macanese pataca.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

2. Beef Offal (牛雜)

The beef offals braised for hours in curry broth, fish balls & white reddish. This is very common street food in Macau and Hong Kong that one should give it a go. The meat is quite soft and tender.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

3. Curry Fish Ball

This is another common street food in Macau and Hong Kong.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

Street food usually cooked in a big pot and braised for hours.  Do ask for the price before you order as some stores do not put up the price and you may get a shock when they hand you your order.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

4. Smuki

There is a long queue in front of Smuki, selling crunchy baguette filled with cream. If you love cream stuff, this is for you. HK20-22 each.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

5. Kumquat lemon tea

Kumquat Lemon tea is an iconic drink in Macau and Hong Kong. It is a good for sore throat and quick relief if you have some cough. According to traditional Chinese medicine, Kumquat helps eliminate phlegm.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau6. Pastelaria Yeng Kee Macau

Outside Yeng Kee Bakery, you are allowed to taste as many types of biscuits as possible.  They offer eggroll, almond cookies, mooncake & candy.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

7. Koi Kei Bakery

Koi Kei Bakery is all over Macau, there is one near A-Ma temple too.  You also get to try all the cookies before you made any purchase.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

Loi Wo Temple 女媧廟

This is a very small temple hidden in an alley at the foot of St Paul Ruins. Loi Wo temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Nuwa. There is nothing special about this temple as it is quite similar to ordinary houses, except it is painted in bright orange yellowish color.  Only half of the Temple left after a fire in 1914. You only need few minutes to take a look.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

Senado Square

One thing you will notice immediately when you are at Senado Square is the wave-patterned mosaic of colored stones which was done by some Portuguese experts. The buildings around Senado Square has many western elements and colorful, at the windows you will notice intricate details work.

When I was in Portugal or Europe, I notice there is always a square in the middle of the city center. It was said that the square is for public gathering, events and celebration. Similar to Portugal or European concept, Senado Square is also used for the Chinese new year celebration, Christmas and New Year celebration.  Expect to see lion dance & firework during the festive season.

Senado Square was also listed as a UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2005, the big square is full of tourists most of the time and at there are retails shopping and restaurants.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

Leal Senado building 民政總署大樓

The white building is Leah Senado Building which you also may want to take a good look.  It is located across the Senado Square.  The building is neo-classical in design, and the exterior has retained all of its original.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

Leah Senado Building was a meeting place for the Portuguese and the Chinese officials back then. Now the building houses a gallery on the ground floor, a public library, and an auditorium

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

Poet Luis De Camoes statue

Luis De Camoes statue was found here at the Leal Senator Building, the guy is the most important poet in Portugal. I have seen one of his poem in the westernmost of Europe in Cabo da Roca Portugal.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

Back courtyard in Leal Senator Building

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

Azulejos tiles

Original master walls with Azulejos tiles, also the Portuguese icon. This is the Portuguese and Spanish painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework.  I have seen similar tilework at Cabo da Roca Portugal.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

St. Dominic’s Church

A beautiful 16th-century Baroque-style church mixture of Macanese features in its design eg the Chinese-style roof tiles and doors are made of teak.  It is situated near the Leah Senado Building.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

Visitors are allowed to go in free of charge.  You will notice The high altar of St Dominic’s Church.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

Macau General Post Office

This is another historical landmark in Macau which was built in 1929, it is the general post office, located near Senado Square.  The building looks very much similar to the one I saw in Madrid Spain (The Metropolis).

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

Final thoughts:

St Paul Ruins is the must visit place in Macau. Glad to have spent few hours strolling the iconic landmark and few other monuments nearby.

Top things to do in Ruins of St. Paul's Macau

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Azulejos tilesBaroque-style churchDominic's ChurchKoi Kei BakeryKumquat lemon teaLeal Senado buildingLoi Wo Temple 女媧廟Macau General Post OfficeMacau Kumquat lemon teamacau smukimacau souvenirsMacau street foodMacau top attractionsPastelaria Yeng Kee MacauPoet Luis De Camoes statueSenado SquaresmukiSt. Dominic's ChurchUNESCO World Heritage sitewave-patterned mosaic大三巴牌坊女媧廟板樟堂民政總署大樓
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30 comments

crisshex88 March 30, 2019 - 8:50 am

What surprised me about this city is precisely this area with its ruins and its beauty and apparently lots of things to do!

Reply
kumamonjeng March 31, 2019 - 12:24 pm

Dear Crisshex,
St Paul’s ruin is the highlight in Macau and glad that there are so many other street foods at this area such as curry fish ball and beef offal.

Reply
Mercy March 30, 2019 - 9:02 am

this look like a really wonderful experience I have Portugal in my bucket list, and will research more on this place. Lovely photos

Reply
kumamonjeng March 31, 2019 - 12:29 pm

Dear Mercy,

Macau has so many similarities with Portugal I have to agree and you can easily spot them since Macau is colonized by the Portuguese for so many years. Macau was only returned to China in 1999.

Reply
Lyosha Varezhkina March 30, 2019 - 9:06 am

I love traveling and hope to visit Macao one day as well. Great guide, it feels like lots of things to enjoy and experience! lovely!

Reply
kumamonjeng March 31, 2019 - 12:30 pm

Dear Lyosha,

When you visit Hong Kong do remember to include Macau too as it is only one hour from Hong Kong ferry terminal. You can do one day trip.

Reply
Raluca March 30, 2019 - 10:50 am

Never been to Macau, so I loved discovering this area through your post, and visit it virtually through your photos 😉 Thanks for sharing your experience!

Reply
kumamonjeng March 31, 2019 - 12:33 pm

Dear Raluca,

Glad you enjoy the pictures in this post.

Reply
Wander women abroad March 30, 2019 - 2:45 pm

I love reading tips on things to do in different places around the world. Macau looks awesome. Will have to add to my list

Reply
kumamonjeng March 31, 2019 - 12:39 pm

The most significant change for Macau since 1999 (after returned to China) has been the liberalisation of casino licences in 2001. You also get to see American casinos eg MGM and Sands here.

Reply
Yeah Lifestyle March 30, 2019 - 2:48 pm

It looks like there is plenty to do here – lots of lovely food and other stuff to experience!

Reply
kumamonjeng March 31, 2019 - 12:42 pm

The foods here are pretty similar to the food in Hong Kong, except you also get to taste some Portuguese Macau cuisine here. Pretty interesting.

Reply
Kalyan Panja March 30, 2019 - 3:07 pm

I have a fascination with visiting heritage places and would love to visit this place and see in person.

Reply
clairebeary94 March 30, 2019 - 7:12 pm

I’ve never been to Macau, but I’d love to visit! Can’t wait to try all the food and see beautiful architecture.

Reply
kumamonjeng March 31, 2019 - 12:51 pm

Dear Claire,
The Portuguese founded Macau as a strategic port in 1557, it was also the training center for European Christian missionary-scholars in Asia. Since the Portuguese have been here for a very long long time, you got to see some traditional Portuguese style buildings and churches in this country.

Reply
sophhearts March 30, 2019 - 10:13 pm

What gorgeous photos! I’ve never been here but definitely wouldn’t mind adding it to my travel bucket list. That food looks so interesting!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x

Reply
TheSuperMomLife March 30, 2019 - 11:03 pm

What a gorgeous place to visit! I’ve never heard of Macau, but now I want to go!

Reply
Sara Welch March 31, 2019 - 12:14 am

What an awesome experience! I really enjoyed looking at your photos; the ruins would be so humbling to visit!

Reply
Brianna March 31, 2019 - 12:29 am

the food there looks very interesting! I would love to visit the yellow church! It’s beautiful!

Reply
kumamonjeng March 31, 2019 - 12:53 pm

Dear Brianna,

The yellow church is called St. Dominic’s Church, a beautiful 16th-century Baroque-style church mixture of Macanese features. Really pretty.

Reply
Beth Pierce March 31, 2019 - 2:46 am

That seems like a very lovely vacation and adventure! So much to take in between the sight and the history!

Reply
danielle March 31, 2019 - 6:17 am

How cool! Thank you so much for sharing. I love the photos and all of the history behind it!

Reply
Alexandra Cook March 31, 2019 - 7:10 am

Wow this place looks incredible. There’s so much to do and see there! Looks like a brilliant place to take the whole family

Reply
kumamonjeng March 31, 2019 - 12:57 pm

Dear Alexandra,

To be frank, Macau is a casino city, it is called the Vegas in Asia. People who visit Macau usually go to the casinos as there are casinos everywhere. 🙂

Reply
Glaemour March 31, 2019 - 7:11 am

Never been to this place but that place looks very vibrant to relax and unwind. Looks like you had a great time there!

Reply
kumamonjeng March 31, 2019 - 12:56 pm

Dear Glaemour,

Thanks for your comment. It was my second time visiting Macau and this time I have more time to explore as I stay over one night in Macau. You can always do a day trip if you are visiting from Hong Kong.

Reply
Lisa March 31, 2019 - 10:21 am

Ooh I really want to try a smuki now, it sounds awesome! This brings back some great memories of my time in Macua many years ago. I love the Portuguese influence and the churches are beautiful there! A really nice destination to visit.

Reply
kumamonjeng March 31, 2019 - 12:55 pm

Dear Lisa,

Smuki is a chain store in Macau and Hong Kong for those who love cream. Glad you have also visited Macau before and I am sure you enjoyed it very much.

Reply
Indu March 31, 2019 - 7:55 pm

Stunning photographs. I have been to Macau had great time exploring heritage during day and enjoying casinos during night.

Reply
Irina April 1, 2019 - 10:20 pm

Ok all of this street food is making me hungry . What a cool place to visit.

Reply
Jessica April 2, 2019 - 4:58 pm

This looks like such an interesting place to be! Thanks for sharing all the details!

Reply

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About Me

I am the travel writer for Thinkerten. I lived in Japan, Australia, Malaysia and now based in Singapore. Speak 4 languages, Japanese, English, Malay, and Chinese. There are the many types of travels one can experience and mine are mostly focus on self-driving/road trip to explore the places I wanted to see and learn about. Only if you get out of your country, you will see the real you and understand more about yourself, to realize of your own identity, your own culture, and your root.

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