Walking up Guia Hill

Macau - There is a hill just behind Royal Hotel and so early in the morning after breakfast, we set off walking up to Guia Hill. On this Guia Hill stands the Guia Fortress and Lighthouse. The Fortress was built in 1637 and the Lighthouse which is still in use, in 1865. This Lighthouse when it was built was the first of its kind along the China Coast.


There is also a small and simple chapel - Chapel of Our Lady of Guia. This chapel was originally established by the Clarist nuns, who resided at the site before establishing the Convent of St. Clare. The chapel's elaborate frescoes depict representation of both western and Chinese themes, displaying motifs of religious and mythological inspiration that are a perfect example of Macau's multicultural dimension.


Walking up I found an interesting sign board....



This is a great morning walk and the Guia Hill has many exercise equipments along the pedestrian path, and is popular with joggers, birdwatchers and lovers alike. The weather is cool and very nice. Up ahead on the winding road, is the Guia Cable Car (operating from 7am -6pm, the ride takes 80 seconds). I took a round trip back to the hill and then walk down a series of stone steps to the Flora Garden. This Flora Garden used to be the site of a mansion which was destroyed in a factory explosion in 1928, it contains an aviary, small zoo, botanical gardens and original fountain. Leaving the Flora Garden, turn left is just a 30 minutes walk back to the Hotel.