The great ruined facade and staircase to the church of the Mother of God, popularly known as St. Paul's, is the most prominent landmark of Macao. Designed by an Italian Jesuit, and, with the assistance of Japanese Christian artisans who had fled from feudal persecution in Nagasaki, the church was built at the period 1602 to 1637. In 1835, a big fire burned down the church, and leaving only the facade, the staircase, and portions of a wall. It remained unchanged until revamping was undertaken and was completed in mid-1991. The facade is crowned by the cross of Jerusalem, below which are three tiers with niches containing statues that were cast from bronze, at a local cannon and bell factory.

Temple of A-Ma

The Temple of A-Ma was built five centuries ago and is thought to be the oldest in Macao. When the Portuguese sailors first landed on the peninsula and asked the name of the place, the natives replied "A-Ma-Gao" (Bay of A-Ma). And therefore the peninsula was named Macao.

A-Ma is in fact a complex of temples, some people dedicated to A-Ma, others to Kun lam, the Goddess of Mercy and Queen of Heaven. Legend has it that, A-Ma was an attractive young woman from Fujian Province who could calm the stormy sea and protect the fishermen. The temple was built at the very spot where she set foot on land before walking to the crest in nearby Barra Hill and ascending to heaven in glowing halo (a golden circle representing light around the heads by holy persons in religious paintings) of light and perfume.

Macao Tower

Rising fast on the edge of the N am Van Lakes reclamation area is a structure that is a dominant feature of the local skyline-the Macao Tower. Towering 338 metres, it is visible for miles out to sea and is the tenth highest structure of its kind in the world. The tower can accommodate 1,000 people at a time.

Visitors can ascend the 734-square-metre observation deck with floor-toceiling low-reflecting and insulating glass and enjoy wonderful dazzling panoramic views.

Above, on Level 61 , more adventurous visitors will be able to feel the breeze on their faces as they gaze down from an outside observation deck, a glass wall and with appropriate safety precautions.

Soaring another 100 metres skywards is the telecommunications section, with the latest equipment, antenna and long-range dishes.

Monte Fort

Also known as Citadel of Sao Paulo de Monte, it was built in the period 1617 to 1626 as part of the church of St. Paul's project and with the added purpose of defending the city from enemy attacks.

The Monte Fort's great moment of glory eventually came in 1622 when the Dutch colonialists attempted to invade Macao and were ignominiously defeated. It was also the only occasion that the cannon at the Fort was used.

The fort has been witness to three centuries of history, but was opened officially to the public for the first time in 1966. Centrally located, the fort is a splendid place to get a bird's eye view of the city, including Ruins of St. Paul's below, and visitors can see inland China just across the estuary.

Lou Urn leok Gardens

This is the most Chinese style of Macao's gardens ever built, together with a flamboyant Western-style house, by a wealthy Chinese merchant in the 19th century. The garden was restored by the government and converted into a public park in 1974.

The garden is modelled in the style of Suzhou, the most famous of all Chinese classical gardens; a large· pond surrounds the Western-style house, groves of bamboo and flowering bushes. Also, there is a nine-turn zigzag bridge. Legend relates that the bridge can ward off the evil spirits.

Beaches

Both located on Coloane Island, Cheoc Van, and Hac Sa beaches are suitable for sun bathing and swimming. Cheoc Van is a white sanded beach with a lovely swimming pool.

Hac Sa, literarily means "Black Sand," is the most popular beach amongst Macao residents. Wind surfers can be hired on the beach, and there are barbecue pits at one end of the beach.

The Hac Sa recreation centre is adjacent to the bus stop and contains a number of recreational facilities, including swimming pool, roller skating rink, a mini golf course, a children's playground, and tennis courts as well. There is also a horse-riding centre beside the recreation cehtre. Horses are available for beginners as well as advanced riders, and horses can even be taken out on trails under certain conditions .

Edmund Ho Hau Wah, incumbent chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) was re-elected uncontested in the SAR' s second chief executive election in September 2004. The second term as Macao SAR chief executive began on December 20, 2004 till December 20, 2009 .