Although Taipa Island is considered the smallest island in Macau, there are plenty of "UST SEE" attractions for all types of guests to visit.
Golden 4-Face Buddha Shrine. Closest to the hotel is the Golden 4-Face Buddha Shrine. It is less than a two-minute walk. The four faces represent four qualities of the earth, directed in four directions. He holds in his hands the Vedas (ancient book of wisdom and learning), a string of pearls for counting time, a sacrificial spoon symbolic of spiritual nature. The fourth hand is usually raised in blessing. He also carries water in a Kamandalu (water pot), indicating that the universe has evolved from water. It is believed that those who pay homage to the Buddha worship all four sides of the statue in clockwise direction.
Macau Jockey Club. From the shrine, cross the main avenue to the opposite direction and you are already within the Macau Jockey Club Complex. Weekend afternoon and mid-week night meetings are held on this modern, floodlit grass track, while punters can watch from the well-appointed, air-conditioned grandstand, containing restaurants and state-of-the-art computerized betting equipment. Horses are from Australia, Ireland and America, as do many of the trainers and jockeys. For more information, visit their website: http://www.mjc.mo/
Macau Olympics Stadium. Facing MJC, turn to your left and walk for around 5 minutes. The big sporting arena you will face is actually the Macau Olympics Stadium. This is where the 4th East Asian Games was held in 2005. It can seat 15,000 spectators and it has two playing fields for soccer, hockey, and track and field, plus two gymnasiums for basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics. The stadium has also been used for other local and international sports events, gala occasions, and pop concerts.
Taipa Village & Food Street. From the sporting complex you can walk farther for around 5-10 minutes and you will be in the famous village. Chinese shop-houses, Portuguese-style offices, small temples and a former firecracker factory share the narrow streets and alleys of this busy, colorful place. Hanging flower baskets and old-fashioned street lamps make it an appealing place to stroll, and the numerous restaurants along the Rua da Cunha (known as Food Street) are popular destinations for Portuguese, Macanese, Chinese, Spanish or Italian cuisine.
Taipa Flea Market. Just off the village center in Bombeiros Square is a place where you can purchase Macau souvenirs to take home for your friends and loved ones. Snap up that something special toys, traditional crafts amongst others.
Taipa & Coloane Historical Museum. Your next stop should be the two-storey museum consisting of eight exhibition rooms, a video presentation zone and a souvenir shop. A comprehensive collection of exhibits is displayed at the museum. On the first floor, the exhibitions of the historical relics unearthed on Coloane, the stone architectural remains in the basement of the former Island Council Building, and the development of the villages, religions and culture of the islands provide an overview of the history and culture of old Coloane and Taipa. The exhibition rooms on the second floor have different themes, including the history of the former Municipal Council of the Islands, a look back at agriculture and handicrafts in the olden days, the architectural features of buildings on Coloane and Taipa and the recent development of the two islands. It provides visitors with a better understanding of the modern political and economical development of Taipa and Coloane. It is open daily from 10:00 until 18:00 HRS with admission fee of $5. It is closed on Mondays and admission is free on Sundays. For more information, please visit http://www.iacm.gov.mo/cotaimuseum/
Our Lady of Carmel, Carmel Garden & Taipa Praia. On a hill to the east of the village looking towards the causeway and Coloane Island is Our Lady of Carmel, a neo-classical church built in 1885. Paths wind down from the church square through the hillside Carmel Garden to the Avenida da Praia, a tree-lined pedestrian area that harks back to the early days of the 20th century. Taipa Praia is one of the best places to catch a cooling breeze in summer, and an ornate kiosk with cafe tables provides refreshments.
Taipa Houses Museum. Comprising five typical green houses with Macanese architectural characteristics, the museum is considered one of the cultural relics and heritage of the territory. This dignified row of dwellings symbolize the enduring regional and local history of the islands of Taipa and Coloane; this exhibition shows photos and real objects and serves to underscore the lasting importance to Macau of the Houses on Beach Avenue. The five houses include "Macanese House", "House of the Islands", "House of Portugal Regions", "Exhibition Gallery" and "House of Reception". It is open daily except on Mondays from 10:00 until 18:00 HRS and open during public holidays. For more information, visit http://housesmuseum.iacm.gov.mo
