Macau (China) > General information > Online travel guide > Taipa and Coloane

Taipa  Connected to the mainland by three bridges, these days Taipa is little more than an extension of the peninsula. The island is home to Macau’s horseracing track and a couple of large parks, along with the international airport and an ever-increasing number of high-rises. However, while much of Taipa’s character has been lost, there are still some parts worth seeking out and its development has led to a burgeoning restaurant scene.      Taipa village lies south of the original island (these day reclaimed land links Taipa and Coloane) and its collection of narrow lanes houses the lion’s share of the island’s remaining old buildings. The highlight is the ♥ Taipa Houses Museum on Avenida da Praia (Tues-Sun 10 am-6 pm; free; bus #30). House number one contains a blend of European and Chinese furnishings reflecting the territory’s mixed lineage.     Other spots to walk to from here include the Church of Our Lady of Carmel just along the road, Rua do Cunha food street in the center and Pak Tai and Tin Hau temples to the west.      Coloane  This small island and its quaint namesake village give an idea of what much of Macau must have been like not so long ago. Coloane has Macau’s best Hong Kong & Macau beaches, ♥ Hac Sa and ♥♥ Cheoc Van, a good golf course, some great restaurants and hotels and a number of pleasant hiking trails around Seac Pai Van Park and the Hac Sa barrage. A-Ma is memorialized here by the 65-foot statue to her atop Coloane Hill. Cheoc Van Beach If you want to enjoy some peace and quiet, but still have the splendor and shopping of downtown Macau within reach, Coloane is a great place to base yourself. In the southwest of the island, ♥♥ Coloane village offers a rustic reminder of fishing village life and is a popular place to live for expats looking to escape the developing peninsula.     The pretty Chapel of St. Francis Xavier in the village center looks very old but was actually built in 1928 to enshrine a relic of the saint’s arm. Just a few minutes walk to the south you’ll find the Tam Kung temple (Tues-Sun 10 am-6 pm) on the waterfront, dedicated to the storm-quelling god. The village also has some great places to eat and drink. Buses #15, #21A, #25 & #26A run to Coloane.  See also:      Introduction : Macau main attractions - orientation      Macau Sightseeing - Architectural Treasures      Macau Sightseeing - Churches & Temples      Macau Sightseeing – Parks      Macau museums     Macau history      Events and festivals in Macau     Macau adventures : Bungee, Golf, Gambling, Casinos, Watersports     Macau Walks – St. Malo, Churches, Coloane     How to get to Macau      How to get around Macau      Entry requirements (visa)    Back to Macau travel guide homepage