My Macau tour #4: The A-Ma Temple

The temple, that gave Macau its name

This temple is found near the southern tip of the Macau island. It's one of the oldest buildings in Macau¹ [1], it was built in 1488² [2]. It's said, that when Portuguese first heard the temples name 媽閣廟, the first two words "Ma Gok" (in Cantonese) sounded like Macau to them and that's how they named the area.*

When I was there, the temple was full of tourists from Chinese mainland. I didn't go inside, only took some photos from afar. See some photos of the temple and of the way that lead me there:

Down from the St. Augustine's church, then right and up again.

This apartment building fascinated me. I took several photos of it.

I saw a street with old chairs. No idea why they put them here.

New vs. old: That's the real Macau.

This is Macau's west coast. The buildings on the other side are on Chinese Mainland.³

On the left: Trishaw driver taking a rest.

The Macau Maritime museum is located near the A-Ma Temple.

The A-Ma temple in red had many visitors that day.

Most of these tourist came from Chinese mainland. I saw many tour buses.

The A-Ma Temple, over 600 years old.

A woman taking photo of her friend. I didn't stay around the temple for a long time.

And then I decided to go uphill again: Off to the Penha Church, my next destination.

[3] Macau is a special administrive region within China.

Check my main Macau page>>

[Comments disabled][All photos by MKL, 2010][Links: A-Ma on Wiki, My map of Macau]