Macau Maritime Museum

Occupying an area of 800 square meters (about 0.2 acres), the Macau Maritime Museum was built on the site where the first group of Portuguese explorers landed on Macau in 1553. Enlarged in 1990, the museum follows the typical museum layouts of a European style. The exhibits explore major themes in the history of the maritime industry in Macau, China and Portugal.

The main building of the Macau Maritime Museum is a three-storey white building, architected in the shape of a boat in full sail. Big glass windows provide the illusion of an observation tower of a boat. From a distance, the museum building appears to be a majestic boat anchoring at the tranquil port.

The Macau Maritime Museum is divided into five sections.
 

The exhibits on the first floor portray traditions and techniques of the fishermen in Macau. Exhibits include displays of costumes, fishing techniques and fishing boat models.
 

On the second floor of Macau Maritime Museum, the exhibits survey the history of the Portuguese explorations and geographical discoveries.
 

The top floor houses exhibits on marine technology and transport, dredging and navigation. The exhibits here include Guia Lighthouse (the first lighthouse in China), various kinds of ropes, a three-dimensional model of Macau as well as a variety of boat models.
 

The Aquarium Gallery in Macau Maritime Museum has four tanks. Each devoted to a different theme of the sub-water world. The first presents a fresh water riverbed, the second a harbor and the third a coral reef. The last tank features the scenes of a sunken boat in the deep sea.
 

There is a square outside of Macau Maritime Museum that visitors should not miss. From the square, visitors appreciate the sceneries on the river bank and of the busy harbor. Sail boats are also available for visitors to set sail on the sea.
 

1. Take bus 1, 2, 6B, 10A, 10, 11, 18, 21A, 26, 28B, 55, MT4, N3 to A-Ma Temple.
2. Take bus 5, 9, or 18B to A-Ma Temple General Station.