Guia Lighthouse

Guia Lighthouse

Formerly known as the Monte da Guia Lighthouse, Guia Lighthouse is located atop Guia Hill in Macau. It is part of the Guia Fortress and one of the three major historic landmarks on Guia Hill. In 1992, it was named one of the Eight Scenes of Macau. In 2005, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Historic Centre of Macau.

Construction of Guia Lighthouse began in 1864. It was designed by the Macanese Carlos Vincente da Rocha and officially began operation on September 24, 1865. The lighthouse is the oldest modern coastal lighthouse in China, initially illuminated by an oil lamp. In 1874, it was damaged by a storm and, after restoration, was reopened and electrified on June 29, 1910. Before radar became widespread, it served as a key navigational landmark for entering the Pearl River. Today, the lighthouse operates with a modern lighting system and continues to serve mariners.

Nowadays, Guia Lighthouse has become a popular tourist attraction where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Macau. However, access to the interior of the lighthouse requires permission from the Marine and Water Bureau of Macau. The lighthouse is white with yellow trim. Its cylindrical structure has a base diameter of 7 meters, narrowing to 5 meters at the top. Inside, there are three levels connected by a spiral staircase. The lighthouse stands 15 meters tall and is topped with a powerful beacon that can reach up to 16 nautical miles. Next to the lighthouse is the Chapel of Our Lady of Snows, which features 17th-century Portuguese monastery architectural elements. The geographical coordinates of the lighthouse’s location also serve as Macau's positioning marker on world maps.

Guia Lighthouse

Must-visit reason: The oldest modern coastal lighthouse in China