Senado Square in Macau
If Hong Kong is a colony acquired by Britain in the mid-19th century as a result of the Opium Wars with China,
Macau is an area acquired by Portugal in the mid-16th century through a relatively peaceful process, gaining rights to residence and trade.
Macau embraced European culture much earlier than Hong Kong.
Exiting the Macau Ferry Terminal, we found ourselves in a bustling bus terminal.
While there were various ways to reach the city center, we decided to use the hotel’s complimentary shuttle bus.
Shuttle Buses
Various hotel shuttle buses were waiting, each departing for its destination.
It was impressive to see people finding the shuttle bus they needed based on their respective destinations.
I took Wynn Macau Hotel’s shuttle bus to reach my first destination in Macau, Senado Square.
Macau has a concentration of hotels not limited to ferry terminals and hotels alone.
It serves as a convenient means of transportation in Macau, where public transportation is not as developed, as it shuttles between major tourist attractions.
The fact that it was free made it a highly advantageous mode of transportation.
Macau Casinos
Macau, being a resort destination, featured numerous hotels and casino facilities.
Even lesser-known hotels seemed to have well-equipped casino facilities.
Grand Lisboa, Macau
As the shuttle bus traversed the city, we saw many famous buildings.
Grand Lisboa, Macau’s iconic landmark, caught our attention from a distance due to its unique shape.
Getting off the shuttle bus in front of Grand Lisboa, a 10-minute walk to Senado Square awaited us.
Mc Cafe
We had a quick breakfast and coffee at Mc Cafe in front of Senado Square.
Despite the short distance traveled, Macau’s summer was noticeably different from Hong Kong’s—hotter and more humid.
Taking a moment to escape the heat with brunch and coffee at Mc Cafe was a welcome break.
Senado Square Entrance
Sitting at Mc Cafe and observing the outside scenery, the architecture of the buildings looked different from Hong Kong.
Macau’s small European feel, often referred to as “Little Portugal,” showcased quite impressive European architectural styles.
Senado Square Largo Do Senado Square
Most journeys in Macau begin with Senado Square.
In Portuguese, Senado means ‘Senate.’
The meaning of a square in Europe goes beyond the general meaning of ‘space’.
The square, though smaller in scale compared to European squares, still possessed the characteristics of a true ‘square.’
Distinctive wave-patterned Senado Square
Many tourists were out in the square experiencing Macau and Portugal.
The ground reflected the intense sunlight, making it almost blinding.
However, the unique European-style buildings from the medieval era captured our attention.
Senado Square’s various shops
The pastel-colored buildings were charming.
With a mix of medieval architecture and modern shops like Levi’s and Starbucks, it gave a unique vibe.
View of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau from Senado Square
While walking through the square, we turned back.
From the entrance, we could see the Macau flag on the roof of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau.
The relationship between China, Hong Kong, and Macau seemed peculiar, not to mention Taiwan.
Senado Square Building Corridor
The building’s corridor was refreshing.
Instead of walking through the corridor, we chose to walk through the center of the square to fully experience it.
Wong Chi Kei (黃枝記)
Nearby, we spotted Wong Chi Kei, a famous place for wonton noodles.
Many people were queuing up for a meal.
I remembered that Baek Jong-won, a famous South Korean chef, had recently visited this place on TV.
Senado Square, Interior of St. Dominic’s Church
We visited the open church and explored its interior.
As there were not many tourists inside, we could quietly admire the church.
It was a time to relax and rejuvenate.
Senado Square, Alley
Even the alleys in Senado Square had a European touch.
It was a place where every detail was carefully attended to.
Moving deeper into the square
As we moved deeper, the streets became narrower.
However, many people were seen walking towards the end of the square.
McDonald’s
No matter where you go, the familiar taste of McDonald’s was available.
We thought of trying it if Macau’s local food didn’t suit our taste.
St. Dominic’s Church, Macau
Turning right from the square, we continued along the alley.
We wanted to explore Senado Square thoroughly before moving on to Ruins of St. Paul’s Church.
End of Senado Square
On this hot day, many tourists were wearing umbrellas. Following the crowd, we moved deeper into the square.
Aug. 23, 2012.