A-Ma Temple       

  
A-Ma Temple one of the landmarks of Macau, situated on the southwest tip of the Macau Peninsula. This temple is one of the sites designated "Historic Centre of Macau", which was enlisted on the World Heritage List in 2005.

Macau's name is derived from A-Ma-Gau or Place of A-Ma and this temple dedicated to the seafarers' goddess dates from the early 16th century. According to legend, A-Ma, a poor girl looking for passage to Canton, was refused by the wealthy junk owners but a lowly fisherman took her on board. A storm blew up and wrecked all but the boat carrying the girl. On arrival in Macau she vanished, to reappear as a goddess, on the spot where the fishermen built her temple.

When you visit the A-Ma Temple you’ll find silence and spectacular views. The temple contains six main parts, all of which make up a series of classical Chinese architectural treasures. At the entrance is a large rock on which is engraved a traditional sailing junk. On other boulders are carved red characters invoking the gods or repeating a prayer.

Ma Temple is built on the slope of Barra Hill. The complex is entered through the Memorial Arch. Passing this, paths wind towards different shrines in the complex. The four main buildings at the A-Ma Temple are the the Prayer Hall, the Hall of Benevolence, the hall dedicated to the goddess Guanyin (written Kun Iam in Macau) and the Buddhist pavilion. In addition, there are other pavilions dedicated to the different deities inspired by Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism as well as local folk beliefs. Let’s explore the four main halls.

Three of the four pavilions are dedicated to A-Ma and contain some fine statues of the goddess together with a model of a junk with cannons, brass vessels and chapels to Buddhist and Taoist gods. The top shrine honors Kun Iam. This temple is distinguished by beautiful tiled roofs and spectacular views from the upper gardens.

The temple showcases the rich and profound Chinese culture. It is worth your while to stay and enjoy the various poems and inscriptions carved on the stone along the cliff.

The festival of A-Ma takes place on the 23rd day of the 3rd moon (April or May). Firecrackers, to scare away evil spirits, are exploded in the entrance courtyard to greet tour groups and lions dances are performed here on weekends.

theme park's cast members use English and Chinese, including Cantonese and Mandarin
dialects, to communicate verbally. Guide Maps are printed in both Traditional and Simplified
characters, Japanese, and in English.