Macau Museums (3 Stars) – Macau Museums (2 Stars) – Macau Museums (1 and 0 Stars)

Macau Museums: Two Stars

Macau Museum Guide: Communications Museum

A sort of brother attraction to the Science Center, the Communications Museum is another big hit with children, due to its fun and interactive displays and exhibits.

Dedicated to the communication industry and other front end technologies, I quite enjoyed my time there in Trip Report III.

Admission: $10 Location: Estrada de D.Maria II Opening Hours: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm Closed on Public Holidays

Macau Museum Guide: Fire Services Museum

Fire trucks, hoses, nozzles, uniforms and other equipment are on display this museum, housed in a building built in 1920.

I had a look at it during Trip Report III.

Admission: Free Location: 2-6 Estrada Coelho do Amaral Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm

Macau Museum Guide: Former Chong Sai Pharmacy

The site of Sun Zhong Shan’s pharmacy which he established in 1893, this traditional three level shophouse is notable for its distinctive grey brick architecture and small exhibition chronicling Sun’s experience in Macau.

Somewhat similar in appearance to Lou Kau Mansion, there’s also information related to local geology and the building’s extensive renovation works.

This is one museum where the exhibits take a back seat, it’s all about just being inside the building.

Admission: Free Location: Rua das Estalagens, No. 80 Hours: 10 am to 6 pm, Closed on Tuesdays

Heritage Exhibition of a Traditional Pawnshop Business

Pawnshops are still going strong in Macau, their relevance in the present day owing itself directly to the gambling industry. For a step back in time, the doors of the Tak Sen On Pawnshop are open again, a business which was first established in 1917.

With both the shop and storehouse restored to near original condition, visitors can have a fresh and up close glimpse into this historically important industry.

I tried to pawn my soul there during Trip Report III, but all they’d give me for it was $6 MOP.

Admission: Free Location: San Ma Lo No 396 Opening Hours: 10:30 am to 7:30 pm Closed on the first Monday of every month

Macau Museum Guide: Lin Ze Xu Museum

Recently overhauled museum now does a much better job expounding on the history of the sordid 19th Century opium trade and wars.

Mu Yi and I visited its older incarnation during Trip Report I.

Admission: $5 Location: Lin Fung Temple Opening Hours: 9:00 to 5:00 pm Closed on Mondays

Macau Contemporary Art Center

Formerly part of an old dilapidated dockyard complex, the Macau Contemporary Art Center opened in the latter half of 2016. Only used for temporary exhibitions, that means the venue will only be as good as what it’s currently showing, with turnover time about 6 weeks.

Easily accessible via A Ma Temple and the Maritime Museum, travelers in this part of town shouldn’t hesitate to stop by and have a look.

Admission: Free Location: Rua de S. Tiago da Barra, Navy Yard #1 Hours: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Closed on Mondays

Macau Museum Guide: Science Center

Quite a well liked attraction, especially by children, Macau’s Science Center is divided into 2 main parts: the Exhibition Center and Planetarium. The Exhibition Center covers topics related to robotics, food science, meteorology and space, while the Planetarium plays super high definition movies in both 2D and 3D, at a resolution 16 times clearer than normal theater screens.

I went there one afternoon as a part of Trip Report III.

Admission: $25 Location: Avenida Dr Sun Yat Sen Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Closed on Thursdays, except in July and August when it opens everyday

Macau Museum Guide: Taipa Houses Museum

The highlight of the Taipa Houses Museum is a beautifully restored model of an early 20th Century Taipa home, complete with furnishings and fixtures from that era.

There’s also a photo exhibition of old time Taipa and other displays dedicated to Portuguese customs, dress, and festivals.

Mu Yi and I paid a visit there during the last afternoon of Trip Report I.

Admission: Free Location: Avenida da Praia, Taipa Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Closed on Mondays

Treasure of Sacred Art of St. Joseph’s Seminary

Macau has a few museums attached to churches that display sacred artifacts, but the one at St. Joseph’s Seminary is a cut above the rest. Highlighted by a series of well preserved religious icons that are both aesthetically pleasing and spiritually relevant, there’s also a fine collection of texts, garments, vessels and jugs.