Maritime Museum

Description:

• Macau's oldest museum, ideally situated on the waterfront of the Inner Harbour where visitors can observe barges and other boats passing by, does an excellent job of tracing the history of Macau's lifelong relationship with the sea. It's located at the tip of the peninsula, across from the A-Ma Temple, in approximately the same spot where the Portuguese first landed. The museum begins with dioramas depicting the legend of A-Ma, protectress of seafarers and Macau's namesake, and continues with displays of sea-related festivals (like the A-Ma Festival in Apr, similar to Hong Kong's Tin Hau Festival, and the Dragon Boat Festival in May/June). There are also models of various boats, including trawlers, Chinese junks, Portuguese sailing boats, and even modern jetfoils, as well as life-size original boats from the sampan to an ornate festival boat. Various fishing methods are detailed, from trawling and gill netting to purse seining, as well as various voyages of discovery around the world. The museum also has a model of Macau in the 17th century, nautical equipment, navigation instruments used by the Portuguese and Chinese, and -- a hit with small children -- a one-room aquarium. You'll spend about 45 minutes here.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010