Macau Museum

Lonely Planet review

This wonderful museum housed in the fort tells the story of the hybrid territory of Macau through a host of multimedia exhibits.

On the 1st level, the Genesis of Macau exhibit takes you through the early history of the territory, with parallel developments in the East and the West compared and contrasted. The section devoted to the territory's religions is excellent.

On the 2nd level (Popular Arts & Traditions of Macau), you'll see and hear everything from a re-created firecracker factory, and a chá gordo (fat tea) of 20 dishes enjoyed on a Sunday, to the recorded cries of street vendors selling items such as brooms, tea and scrap metal. You can also hear a recording of the poet José dos Santos Ferreira (1919-93), known as Adé, reading from his work in local dialect.

The top-floor Contemporary Macau exhibit focuses on the latest architecture, literature and urban-development plans.