Coloane Island

When Macau was the center of trade between China and the West, the island of Coloane, with its deserted coves, rugged cliffs, large sea caves, and densely forested hills, proved a convenient base for pirates who preyed on the rich cargoes. Today its sandy beaches, hiking trails, and other outdoor attractions make it a pleasurable retreat.

Coloane Village

The heart of Coloane Village is the central square where the bus stop is located as well as several restaurants and the popular Lord Stow's Bakery. The village itself stretches north to the junk-building yards and the old ferry pier, and south along the waterfront promenade to the Tam Kung temple, dedicated to the Taoist God of Seafarers. Halfway along the waterfront is the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier and its picturesque Portuguese-style square, with busy cafes under the shelter of the arcades.

Seac Pai Van Park

Situated in the wooded hills on the west side of the island, not far from the causeway to Taipa, this park is a popular place for family outings. There are children's playgrounds, picnic areas, flowerbeds, a small zoo, and a large walk-in aviary which is home to peacocks, pheasants, and other colorful species. There is also a garden of native medicinal plants and the small but attractive Museum of Nature and Agriculture.

Alto de Coloane Park & Statue of A-Ma

This park, high on Coloane Peak (170m), is reached by the Estrada do Alto de Coloane which begins just south of Seac Pai Van Park. The road leads first to the parking area for the newly-developed Recreational Fishing Zone, the Arboretum (which features more than 100 species of local and exotic trees), and the main access to the Coloane Hiking Trail. It continues on to the top of the Peak where there is another car park, the new Alto de Coloane picnic area, and the statue of the Goddess A-Ma. Visible from far out in the South China Sea, with a height of 19.99 metres (commemorating the year Macau once again became part of China), the statue crowns Coloane Peak. A-Ma is venerated by fishermen and sailors and therefore has always had a special significance in Macau.

Hiking Trails

Coloane Island boasts an extensive network of well-maintained hiking and fitness trails. Trail maps are available at the information booth at the entrance to Seac Pai Van Park and at the trailheads. The trails are accessible from Seac Pai Van Park, from the various roadside picnic parks on the island, and from both Cheoc Van and Hac Sa beaches. It is also possible to join the main Coloane Trail, which circles the island at a height of about 100 metres above sea level, from various points on Coloane Peak. The main trailhead is on the Estrada do Alto de Coloane, near the Recreational Fishing Zone.

Coloane Village (30 minutes Hiking Trail)

China Coast recalled

Take any bus marked 'Coloane' or 'H?c S?' to Coloane Village...Start at the square Largo Presidente Ant?nio Ramalho Eanes, and take a look at the little park in the middle, with its bronze statue of Cupid...Turn right on Rua das Gaivotas...which becomes Rua dos Navegantes...Walk along to the Tin Hau Temple (guarded by black and gold painted Chinese lions...look inside at the fine ceiling of green wooden rafters and beige tiles)...Ahead you find Chinese medicine shops, a shrine embedded in the roots of a tree and stores selling dried salted fish (said to be the best in the region)...some of the buildings are made of tin and built on stilts over the water...At the wharf of the Ponte Cais de Coloane (before the building of the causeway and bridge links, this was the pier for ferry travellers from Macau)...Turn back and take a right turn at the temple to reach the waterfront along Avenida 5 de Outubro...On your right is a narrow stretch of water (once part of the Bamboo Curtain) and part of the Zhuhai Special Economic Zone of Guangdong, a flourishing new area which produces vegetables and fish farms, now linked to Macau by bridge...Follow the waterfront with its avenue of banyans and palm trees...On the left is St Francis Xavier Square, a public library...private houses and a Primary School...At the end of the road is the Tam Kung Temple (dedicated to the Taoist God of Seafarers, with fine tiled roof and inside a boat carved from a whalebone with figures of guardians, also a plaster mural of a wide-eyed, orange-striped tiger with cub)...Outside take the road that branches left to Rua do Estaleiro...follow the parade of stately banyans till you reach some steps on your right, leading to the Largo Tin Hau Miu...Go up and visit the Tin Hau Temple (dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, also known as A-Ma)...Go back down via the adjoining Travessa da Rep?blica...Ahead is a public playground...Cross it to Travessa do Pagode and see another, smaller, Tin Hau Temple (notable for its gilded carved plaques and a moongate that makes an attractive frame for a typical Coloane village scene)...Turn right and stroll along the traditional China Coast street, with small, open-fronted stores overflowing with hardwares, groceries and haberdashery...neatly complemented with Macanese touches like whitewashed facades, blue-and-white name plaques and old-style lamplights hung with flower baskets...Soon you're in the main square, with Portuguese mosaic paving and rows of neo-classical arcades...Dominating the square is the Chapel of St Francis Xavier (opened in 1928 to enshrine the arm bone of the saint and remains of Christian martyrs from Japan, Korea and Indochina)...Although the relics have been moved to Japan and Macanese museums, the chapel, with its cream-and-white pedimented facade, still attracts pilgrims and tourists...At the opposite end of the square is an obelisque surrounded by stone cannonballs, which celebrates Macau's defeat of local pirates in 1910...This is an ideal place to stop for refreshments in one of the arcade restaurants...Leave the square by Rua dos Negociantes, to browse the antique shops...and before you catch a bus to town, cross the square and buy some egg tarts from Lord Stow's Bakery.

Coloane Extras

Besides the village, Coloane has many other attractions...Get off the bus outside Seac Pai Van Park, to enjoy the hillside nature trail, the aviary and children's zoo, and the Museum of Nature & Agriculture (with exhibits of the local ecosystem and a room devoted to Chinese herbal medicines)...OR take the bus past the village to Cheoc Van Beach (with long, sandy beach, swimming pool, yacht club, windsurfing, the Pousada de Coloane and some excellent Portuguese and Italian restaurants) or further on to H?c S? Beach (the sand is naturally black, not polluted! H?c S? means "black sand").

Equitation Training Centre

The equestrian school of Macau is situated on the second street on the left of the exit of the Coloane Town through the street to the Cheoc Van beach. Look for the gate decorated with horse's heads.

Karting Track

The track is located on the reclaimed land area opposite Seac Pai Van Park. It has floodlights, a choice of seven different circuits, and paddocks for more than 200 karts. You can visit Entertainment for more details.

Beaches

Both Cheoc Van Beach and H?c-S? Beach are popular with swimmers and sunbathers. The water is clean although it often appears brown because of silt from the Pearl River. Cheoc Van Beach occupies a sheltered cove on the west side of Coloane Island. At one end is a sandy swimming beach with changing facilities and a snack bar, and at the other is a free-form swimming pool. The Nautical Club, a marina where members keep various types of recreational watercraft, is near the beach. There is also a youth hostel, a pousada (inn), and two restaurants with terraces overlooking the water.

Beyond Cheoc Van is H?c-S? Beach, where the long beach, with its unique black-tinged sand ("hac sa" means "black sand") invites walking by the sea. Along the beach are a youth hostel, the Youth Centre for Water Sports, and a sports complex with an Olympic-size swimming pool, children's pool, tennis courts, and a sports field. There are also playgrounds, picnic and camping areas, and a variety of snack stands, cafes, and restaurants.

Water Activities Centre

At the H?c-S? Reservoir, behind the H?c-S? Picnic Park on the main road above the beach, the new Water Activities Centre offers pedal boat rentals, a refreshment pavilion, and a fitness circuit which runs through the wooded area around the reservoir. A long swinging bridge provides pedestrian access from the parking area. For more information, please contact (853) 8988 4118.

Macau Golf and Country Club

For golf enthusiasts, the Macau Golf and Country Club is located on a hill beyond the end of H?c S? beach. Please call (853) 2887 1188 for more information.