Most
of the areas covered by this route originally lay within the confines of
two of the largest villages in MacauY early days: Mong Ha Village (Povoa誽o
de Mong Ha) and Long Tin Village (Povoa誽o de Long Tin). Nowadays, the
villages are nowhere to be seen; instead there are only high-rise
buildings, showing how much Macau has changed in the past hundred years or
so.
Lin Fong Temple, Kun Iam Ku Temple, Seng
Vong Miu Temple, and Kun Iam Temple all lie along the route, and are
places of major historical significance. They have borne witness to
extremely important historical events in Macau, and are also 濥iving
fossils reflecting the history of modern China.
Lin Fong Temple was the &ouncil for
Chinese merchants, as well as a residence for Chinese officials and
envoys. During his tour of inspection and crackdown on opium-smuggling in
Macau, Lin Zexu stayed in Lin Fong Temple, and received the Portuguese
there, thus making this old temple famous across the world for its role in
modern Chinese history.
Next to Lin Fong Temple stands Kun Iam Ku
Temple and Seng Vong Temple. This used to be the site of the Mong Ha
Villagers Self-Defence Corps, which came into existence due to
circumstances at the time.
Inside the high walls of Kun Iam Temple,
there are traces of renowned monks, well-known personages and masters of
Chinese painting, and many an anecdote and legend.
Jardim da Vit鏎ia and Jardim de Vasco da
Gama on Avenida Sid鏮io Pais are sites that might generate some pride
amongst the Portuguese: the former commemorates their victory over the
Dutch, while the latter celebrates the achievements of the Age of
Discovery.
Further up, on Cal蓷da do Gaio, there is
the Casa Branca, or Zhite House a magnificent mansion housing
the Monetary and Foreign Exchange Authority of Macau, Ling Nam School, and
the UNU/IIST - United Nations University International Institute of
Software Technology. Together, these form a spectacular display showcasing
the elegance and beauty of 20th century European architecture in Macau,
and the style and tastes of wealthy Portuguese merchants in those days.
A winding path leads up to the top of the
highest hill in Macau Guia Hill. Here there is the first lighthouse
ever erected on the coastline of the Far East Guia Lighthouse and
Fortress which still lights up the night sky of Macau today.
Most
of the areas covered by this route originally lay within the confines of
two of the largest villages in MacauY early days: Mong Ha Village (Povoa誽o
de Mong Ha) and Long Tin Village (Povoa誽o de Long Tin). Nowadays, the
villages are nowhere to be seen; instead there are only high-rise
buildings, showing how much Macau has changed in the past hundred years or
so.
