5 Best Sights in Coloane, Macau

A huge complex built in a traditional Qing Dynasty style pays homage to Macau's namesake, the goddess of the sea. The vibrancy and color of the details in the bell and drum towers, the tiled roofs, and the carved marble altars are truly awe-inspiring. It's as if you've been transported back to the height of the Qing Empire and can now see temples in their true state of greatness. Other remarkable details include the striking rows of stairs leading to Tian Hou Palace at the entrance. Each row features painstakingly detailed marble and stone carvings of auspicious Chinese symbols: a roaring tiger, double lions, five cranes, the double phoenix, and a splendid imperial dragon. The grounds here also have a recreational fishing zone and an arboretum with more than 100 species of local and exotic flora.

Behind A-Ma Cultural Village, Coloane Hill rises 170 meters (560 feet); it is crowned by a gleaming white-marble statue of A-Ma that's 21 meters (68 feet) tall and visible from miles away. You can make the short hike up to the top or take one of the shuttle buses that leave from the base of the hill every 30 minutes.

Quiet, relaxed Coloane Village is home to traditional Mediterranean-style houses painted in pastels, as well as the baroque-style Chapel of St. Francis Xavier and the Taoist Tam Kung Temple. The narrow alleys reveal surprises at every turn; you may well encounter fishermen repairing their junks or a baptism at the chapel. At the village's heart is a small square adorned with a fountain with a bronze Cupid. The surrounding Macanese and Chinese open-air restaurants are among the region's best; some are the unheralded favorites of chefs visiting from Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia.

Race enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike should head to the Macau Motor Sports Club, opposite Coloane Park, the only go-kart track in both Macau and Hong Kong. Drivers must be at least 16 years old and have a driver's license, as 200-cc-engine go-karts can reach speeds up to 60 kph (37 mph). The track is 1.2 km (0.7 mile) long, 10 meters (33 feet) wide, and has 10 challenging curves. Aim for a lap time under 50 seconds on a sunny day.

Translated from the Chinese, hác-sá means "black sand," although the sands of the area's biggest beach are actually a deep gray. Even if you don't stay at the Grand Coloane Beach Resort, you can use the public sports complex here for a daily fee (MOP$500 adults; MOP$250 children 3–16): it's equipped with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, and more. Other facilities include playgrounds, picnic areas, restaurants, barbecue facilities, boat rentals, and water-sports outfitters.

This large park has extensive gardens, ponds, and waterfalls, and a large walk-in aviary with more than 200 bird species chirping and flying about. There are lots of things of interest to children, including playgrounds, a mini zoo, and an interactive museum with exhibits on nature and agriculture.