1-hour walking route to explore Macau's highlights—historical architecture, cultural creativity, and shopping!

▲ Macau’s iconic landmark, the Ruins of St. Paul’s.

Reported and photographed by Reporter You Ru / Macau

When traveling to Macau, aside from casinos and gourmet food, the Macao Government Tourism Office has launched eight “Discover Macao by Foot” walking routes in recent years. These routes connect various parts of the city, showcasing architectural beauty that fuses both Chinese and Western styles, while also giving visitors the chance to explore unique products and creative designs by local youth. The “Santo António Parish – A Blend of East and West” route, for instance, takes about an hour to complete and allows you to experience the beautiful, time-honored landscape where East meets West in Macau.


▲ Nezha Exhibition Hall.

Wandering through the streets and alleys of Santo António Parish, you can experience a romantic lifestyle infused with multiculturalism and appreciate the intricate beauty of architecture that combines Chinese and Western elements. According to the Macao Government Tourism Office, the "Santo António Parish – A Blend of East and West" route takes approximately one hour to walk. It begins at the famous Ruins of St. Paul’s and passes by the Old City Walls Ruins, where heritage sites sit alongside residential neighborhoods—a view well worth seeing.

The "Nezha Temple" and the "Nezha Exhibition Hall," rich in local stories and historical architectural significance, are part of an exhibition space that opened in July 2012. They originated from a time when plague struck and residents lived in hardship. The village chief dreamed that Nezha revealed there were medicinal herbs on the mountain, and that boiling them into a drink could cure the sickness. After trying it, the remedy worked, leading to the temple’s construction in memory. This spot offers insight into Macau’s traditional beliefs and marks the beginning of the first section of the walking route.


▲ Nezha Temple.
%A 400-year-old street of love.


%A vibrant artistic and creative walking trail.




 
▲%Homes showcasing different architectural styles over the decades.


The highly popular "Alley of Love" is also part of this route. Its buildings feature Portuguese-style colors—vivid yet warm—making it a must-photo spot. The Portuguese name for the Alley of Love is "Travessa da Paixão," which means passion and romance. The red and yellow buildings are stunning, and this historic street, over 80 years old, adds a distinctive charm to Macau’s traditional streetscape.

Continuing along the route, you’ll reach the "Guimarães Street · Junxiu Lane Art Street," a new hub for cultural and creative businesses in Macau. Starting in February of this year (2015), EYL Company opened several small shops selling art, furniture, home décor, and candies from countries such as Portugal, South Africa, and Europe. Within just 20 meters of street, there is a wealth of interesting items to discover and admire.


▲%International and youthful design shops.


After shopping, head to St. Anthony’s Church (Santo António Parish), one of Macau’s three ancient churches. Then visit Camões Garden (Papalouca Park) and the Orient Foundation, both great spots for photos. Camões Garden is also recognized as a historic park by the government. The area is filled with architecture that blends Chinese and Western elements and occasionally hosts special exhibitions. It’s a recommended destination for visitors to Macau.


▲%Gorgeous Camões Garden.


%And nearby hidden gems.


Complete Walking Route for "Santo António Parish – A Blend of East and West"
1. Ruins of St. Paul’s – 2. Old City Walls Ruins – 3. Nezha Temple – 4. Nezha Exhibition Hall – 5. Alley of Love – 6. Ho Clan Chong Yee Tong – 7. Wing Fook Wai – 8. St. Anthony’s Church (Santo António Parish) – 9. Camões Garden – 10. Orient Foundation – 11. Protestant Cemetery – 12. Sam Pak Mun Temple of the Earth God – 13. Bao Gong Temple and Medical God Temple – 14. (Inside Kiang Wu Hospital) Dr. Sun Yat-sen Bronze Statue – 15. Fire Services Museum – 16. Lin Kai Temple – 17. New Bridge Garden – 18. Sam Jyun Deng – 19. Ye Ting’s Former Residence