Guia Fortress
Guia Fortress
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Thangam M
Chennai1,460 contributions
Mar 2012 • Family
Judging by the number of visitors, Guia Hill is rather underrated, though I would recommend it as a must-see historical site, parkland, jogging path and viewpoint in Macau. Guia Hill is the highest natural point of Macau and offers splendid views of the Pearl River, the urban landscape and the islands around Macau.
Guia Hill is located above Jardin Flora (Flora Garden) and can be reached by walking up hill or by taking the cable car which is touted to be the shortest cable car ride in the world - it possibly is because the ride takes just about 3 minutes! However, short as it is, the cable car offers some excellent views of Macau on both the way up and down. The round trip cable car ticket is just MOP3. After getting off the cable car, it is an easy climb to the top of Guia Hill - shady, restful green glades with park benches to take a breather, verdant vistas and lots of bright, colourful flowers along the way.
Before getting to Guia Fortress located at the top of Guia Hill, it is well worth it to stop and walk through the air raid shelters dating back to 1931. Do read the plaque at the spot which details the historical significance of Guia Hill.
The Guia Fortress complex includes Guia Chapel and Lighthouse. Being the highest spot on the Macau peninsula, the top of Guia Hill was a naturally strategic location for Guia Fortress which dates back to the 1630s. An old cannon platform at the fortress offers panoramic views of the landscape below. Guia Lighthouse, which was built over 200 years later in 1865, was apparently the first modern lighthouse on the Chinese coast. Adjacent to the lighthouse is the simple baroque Chapel of Our Lady of Guia - a calm and peaceful place where one can see frescoes and murals too.
In a sense Guia Hill is where it all comes together - Guia Fortress, the Lighthouse and the Chapel - iconic symbols of Macau's military, maritime and missionary history.
Guia Hill is located above Jardin Flora (Flora Garden) and can be reached by walking up hill or by taking the cable car which is touted to be the shortest cable car ride in the world - it possibly is because the ride takes just about 3 minutes! However, short as it is, the cable car offers some excellent views of Macau on both the way up and down. The round trip cable car ticket is just MOP3. After getting off the cable car, it is an easy climb to the top of Guia Hill - shady, restful green glades with park benches to take a breather, verdant vistas and lots of bright, colourful flowers along the way.
Before getting to Guia Fortress located at the top of Guia Hill, it is well worth it to stop and walk through the air raid shelters dating back to 1931. Do read the plaque at the spot which details the historical significance of Guia Hill.
The Guia Fortress complex includes Guia Chapel and Lighthouse. Being the highest spot on the Macau peninsula, the top of Guia Hill was a naturally strategic location for Guia Fortress which dates back to the 1630s. An old cannon platform at the fortress offers panoramic views of the landscape below. Guia Lighthouse, which was built over 200 years later in 1865, was apparently the first modern lighthouse on the Chinese coast. Adjacent to the lighthouse is the simple baroque Chapel of Our Lady of Guia - a calm and peaceful place where one can see frescoes and murals too.
In a sense Guia Hill is where it all comes together - Guia Fortress, the Lighthouse and the Chapel - iconic symbols of Macau's military, maritime and missionary history.
Written May 14, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China174,793 contributions
Sep 2015 • Solo
Guia Fortress is situated upon the top of Guia Hill, overlooking the city of Macau. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage attractions and a common image scene of Macau seen in guidebooks.
Interestingly, there is quite little to see of the actual fort. However, a new information centre has been opened this year. Here you can learn a bit about the fort's nearly 400 year history as well as details regarding the frescos you can see in the Guia Chapel. Opening hours are 9am to 6pm.
There is a short tunnel you can access from the back side of the fort. Near the entrance, you will also find a room dedicated to weather observatory and see reports of past typhoons that have wrecked havoc on Macau.
The information centre is located just inside the entrance area, below the chapel and lighthouse. After a short visit to the info centre, walk up to and access the Guia Chapel (no photography inside) and see historic frescos in its two chambers. You can also get close to the Guia Lighthouse (no entrance).
Do take a bit of time to enjoy the views of the city from Guia Fort. The 270 degree scenes from here are probably the best reason for visiting the Guia Fortress and its respective World Heritage attractions at this point in time.
Note: For a bit of exercise, you can walk up to Guia Hill from Rua do Campo in the main city centre. Take Rua de Ferreira do Amaral towards Royal Macau Hotel. Pass the hotel and continue to Hotel Guia on Calcado do Gaio. At the hotel, you'll see the continued ascending street to the base of Guia Hill and its attractions. From there you can walk up a zigzag of cobblestoned walkway to the entrance of the fort.
Note: For a more leisurely and faster way up Guia Hill, you can ride the cable car (MOP2 one way, MOP3 return). The cable car lower station is situated at the entrance to Flora Garden located on Rua de Ferreira do Amaral. This is a fun way to ascend the hill and a good option for families visiting Macau and in search of child friendly activities.
Interestingly, there is quite little to see of the actual fort. However, a new information centre has been opened this year. Here you can learn a bit about the fort's nearly 400 year history as well as details regarding the frescos you can see in the Guia Chapel. Opening hours are 9am to 6pm.
There is a short tunnel you can access from the back side of the fort. Near the entrance, you will also find a room dedicated to weather observatory and see reports of past typhoons that have wrecked havoc on Macau.
The information centre is located just inside the entrance area, below the chapel and lighthouse. After a short visit to the info centre, walk up to and access the Guia Chapel (no photography inside) and see historic frescos in its two chambers. You can also get close to the Guia Lighthouse (no entrance).
Do take a bit of time to enjoy the views of the city from Guia Fort. The 270 degree scenes from here are probably the best reason for visiting the Guia Fortress and its respective World Heritage attractions at this point in time.
Note: For a bit of exercise, you can walk up to Guia Hill from Rua do Campo in the main city centre. Take Rua de Ferreira do Amaral towards Royal Macau Hotel. Pass the hotel and continue to Hotel Guia on Calcado do Gaio. At the hotel, you'll see the continued ascending street to the base of Guia Hill and its attractions. From there you can walk up a zigzag of cobblestoned walkway to the entrance of the fort.
Note: For a more leisurely and faster way up Guia Hill, you can ride the cable car (MOP2 one way, MOP3 return). The cable car lower station is situated at the entrance to Flora Garden located on Rua de Ferreira do Amaral. This is a fun way to ascend the hill and a good option for families visiting Macau and in search of child friendly activities.
Written October 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China174,793 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
The Guia Fortress, along with the Lighthouse and Chapel, which are all perched upon the top of Guia Hill, makes up the most isolated member of the Historic City Centre of Macau World Heritage collection. To visit you can either walk up the steep Guia Hill, take a taxi ride or use the Guia Cable Car (MOP2 single, MOP3 return) found at the Flora Garden next to Guia Hill.
Unfortunately, while the fortress appears impressive from the outside, there is actually quite little for you to see and do here. There is a bomb shelter tunnel that you can walk through but this is merely 20 meters long, requiring no more than five minutes to explore. There are a couple of bunkers on the hill as well that some will find interesting enough to stop and examine.
Upon approaching the entrance to the fortress area where you visit the Guia Lighthouse and Chapel, you walk through a room set up by the Macau Observatory, which displays information about Typhoon signals and typhoon activity over the past century. This is also worthy of five minutes of your time before proceeding.
The lighthouse itself isn't presently available for entry. You can only have a look from the outside. However, you can enter the climate controlled chapel where there are some wall fresco ruins form the 19th century that are also worth a quick look. The two rooms are rather dimly lit and photography is not permitted in order to help preserve what remains of the images.
While there is little to see within the attractions at Guia Hill, there remains a good reason to visit, that is the wonderful sweeping view afforded to those that make the time for a visit here. From the Guia Fortress, you have around 270 degree views around Macau and can identify many important locations within the city, making this a great location when sky conditions are favourable.
Overall, The Guia Fortress, lighthouse and Chapel are a nice collective attraction but due to their isolation from the rest of the World Heritage collection they are a lower priority visit for those with limited time in Macau. Also, with little to see within the Guia attractions you might want to concentrate your time on other World Heritage members which have more to offer. For those interested in visiting, good sky and viewing conditions, this can be a great spot in Macau.
The Guia Fortress grounds are open is open from 9.00 am to 5.30pm. You can see the lighthouse and the chapel at 9:00am however, the air raid shelter area doesn't presently open until 10.00am so you might want to wait to visit until that time.
Unfortunately, while the fortress appears impressive from the outside, there is actually quite little for you to see and do here. There is a bomb shelter tunnel that you can walk through but this is merely 20 meters long, requiring no more than five minutes to explore. There are a couple of bunkers on the hill as well that some will find interesting enough to stop and examine.
Upon approaching the entrance to the fortress area where you visit the Guia Lighthouse and Chapel, you walk through a room set up by the Macau Observatory, which displays information about Typhoon signals and typhoon activity over the past century. This is also worthy of five minutes of your time before proceeding.
The lighthouse itself isn't presently available for entry. You can only have a look from the outside. However, you can enter the climate controlled chapel where there are some wall fresco ruins form the 19th century that are also worth a quick look. The two rooms are rather dimly lit and photography is not permitted in order to help preserve what remains of the images.
While there is little to see within the attractions at Guia Hill, there remains a good reason to visit, that is the wonderful sweeping view afforded to those that make the time for a visit here. From the Guia Fortress, you have around 270 degree views around Macau and can identify many important locations within the city, making this a great location when sky conditions are favourable.
Overall, The Guia Fortress, lighthouse and Chapel are a nice collective attraction but due to their isolation from the rest of the World Heritage collection they are a lower priority visit for those with limited time in Macau. Also, with little to see within the Guia attractions you might want to concentrate your time on other World Heritage members which have more to offer. For those interested in visiting, good sky and viewing conditions, this can be a great spot in Macau.
The Guia Fortress grounds are open is open from 9.00 am to 5.30pm. You can see the lighthouse and the chapel at 9:00am however, the air raid shelter area doesn't presently open until 10.00am so you might want to wait to visit until that time.
Written November 19, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony G
Shanghai, China779 contributions
Jan 2012 • Couples
Taking the Guia Cable Car from Flora Garden you get easy access to Guia Hill, the highest point of the Macau Peninsula (it is easy to walk down the hill later on!). At the top you will find the Guia Fortress, built between 1622 and 1638, the lovely Chapel of Our Lady of Guia (see separate review), built in 1637, and the Lighthouse, built in 1865 and the oldest on the China coast. You might have panoramic views over Macau if it is not hazy!
Written September 3, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tang
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia86 contributions
Mar 2011 • Couples
Located on top of the hill, it's a great place to stroll and take photos of Macau. We were rather dumb at that time and climbed all the way up the hill around the park. DON'T DO THAT! We found out that there are elevators from the Museum! So be smart, save your energy and ride the elevator instead.
Written August 18, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cat1964
Melbourne62 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
First visit off the ferry - took a taxi to the cable car and rode up to the top of the hill (short but enjoyable ride - and only $3 mop per person return.
At the top the lighthouse is sign posted and about a 10 minute walk (I see the word HIKE used a lot but its not strenuous) - take your time and its easily manageable (even with a bad knee), We visited in Winter which was also a more pleasant temperature.
There are bunkers, cannons, great views and an old church.
A casual stroll back to the cable car and then we caught a bus to Senado Square
At the top the lighthouse is sign posted and about a 10 minute walk (I see the word HIKE used a lot but its not strenuous) - take your time and its easily manageable (even with a bad knee), We visited in Winter which was also a more pleasant temperature.
There are bunkers, cannons, great views and an old church.
A casual stroll back to the cable car and then we caught a bus to Senado Square
Written February 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vincent M
New Orleans, LA2,256 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
Guia Fortress is on Guia Hill, which dominates the roadstead below. You can wander around the outer walls, or go inside where along the corridors there's a museum of its history with old photographs, The walls are 400 years old, but the fort was modernized a bit over the years, the most obvious being gun turrets which must date from the late 19th or early 20 centuries (see photo).
The fort complex also contains the Guia Lighthouse, the first one on the China coast (1885). Lighthouses by their nature and function are photogenic in themselves and have great views of the waterways (they have to, since to be effective mariners have to have unobstructed views of them). When I was here, there was a fashion photo-shoot going on, which added a nice element.
The Guia Chapel, inside, dates from 1622 and is quite small, with Roman arches and whitewashed plaster walls. However, there is some interesting original designs, including the Lion of Portugal, and it's well worth a look. (see photo),
If you're walking, you can save the bulk of the climb by using the cable car to get up to near the top of hill. The fare is negligible; the ride is fun, soaring over trees and athetic facilities. The lower cable car station is at the bottom of the hill's northern slope, off Avenida de Sidonio Pais. You'll still have a bit of a walk from the upper station to get to the fort, but nowhere near the hike you'd face from the bottom of the hill.
Another tip: from the lower cable car station you're quite close to the Dr Sun Yat Sen house and Lou Lim Loc Garden. Sun built the house for his wife and children, and they lived there for 40 years; the house is now a museum). From the station head one long block back toward the historic center of town (going underneath a freeway overpass, then turn right on Rua de Antonio Basto. At the first intersection, only about 50 feet away, the Sun Yat Sen house and memorial is across the street on the left corner, and the Chinese garden (now cowering under typical Macanese high-rise residential towers) is straight ahead two more blocks.
Using the cable car, you can walk around the top of the hill, and see the fort, museum and lighthouse, in an hour or two. If you add on the Sun museum and garden, you can see all three in no more than three hours. Add 30 to 60 minutes if you're walking to the base of the hill from the historic center of Macau.
and go inside to the chapel,
The fort complex also contains the Guia Lighthouse, the first one on the China coast (1885). Lighthouses by their nature and function are photogenic in themselves and have great views of the waterways (they have to, since to be effective mariners have to have unobstructed views of them). When I was here, there was a fashion photo-shoot going on, which added a nice element.
The Guia Chapel, inside, dates from 1622 and is quite small, with Roman arches and whitewashed plaster walls. However, there is some interesting original designs, including the Lion of Portugal, and it's well worth a look. (see photo),
If you're walking, you can save the bulk of the climb by using the cable car to get up to near the top of hill. The fare is negligible; the ride is fun, soaring over trees and athetic facilities. The lower cable car station is at the bottom of the hill's northern slope, off Avenida de Sidonio Pais. You'll still have a bit of a walk from the upper station to get to the fort, but nowhere near the hike you'd face from the bottom of the hill.
Another tip: from the lower cable car station you're quite close to the Dr Sun Yat Sen house and Lou Lim Loc Garden. Sun built the house for his wife and children, and they lived there for 40 years; the house is now a museum). From the station head one long block back toward the historic center of town (going underneath a freeway overpass, then turn right on Rua de Antonio Basto. At the first intersection, only about 50 feet away, the Sun Yat Sen house and memorial is across the street on the left corner, and the Chinese garden (now cowering under typical Macanese high-rise residential towers) is straight ahead two more blocks.
Using the cable car, you can walk around the top of the hill, and see the fort, museum and lighthouse, in an hour or two. If you add on the Sun museum and garden, you can see all three in no more than three hours. Add 30 to 60 minutes if you're walking to the base of the hill from the historic center of Macau.
and go inside to the chapel,
Written July 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KTLim99
1,225 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Awesome view of Macao...with New Grand Lisboa as Landmark point. Nice walk up the hill. With floral garden and short cable car up to top of hill.
Written December 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KW M
Belfast, UK539 contributions
Nov 2019
Tiny fort with the lighthouse and church. The church is very nice, circa 1600s, with some wall paintings. The rest of the fort is small, so a quick walkabout. You're at the highest point in the city, so go chance to take some photos. Not much else here. Bit of a hike up hill to get here. Nice park surrounding it all. Bring water on a hot day.
Written November 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caryn Jen
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia1,976 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
No entrance fee, need to walk a little up the hill but no uneven path so it should be easy.
Nothing much to see about the fort but the view is nice.
Halfway to the fort there is a bench, sitting at the bench while relaxing you can observe the beautiful view of the connecting Hong Kong bridge and sea. Once you reach the top you will see the anchor, fortress and lighthouse.
Head behind the lighthouse there's an area you can sit on the short wall and enjoy the view. We sat there while enjoying the cool breeze (almost nobody here, the people are more focused at the area where there is a cannon taking pictures).
Toilets at the bottom of the fort and also at the top.
If you want to know more about the fortress there's an area where you can read about it (can't recall but I think when you reach the top), attached picture.
Nothing much to see about the fort but the view is nice.
Halfway to the fort there is a bench, sitting at the bench while relaxing you can observe the beautiful view of the connecting Hong Kong bridge and sea. Once you reach the top you will see the anchor, fortress and lighthouse.
Head behind the lighthouse there's an area you can sit on the short wall and enjoy the view. We sat there while enjoying the cool breeze (almost nobody here, the people are more focused at the area where there is a cannon taking pictures).
Toilets at the bottom of the fort and also at the top.
If you want to know more about the fortress there's an area where you can read about it (can't recall but I think when you reach the top), attached picture.
Written December 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Appreciate advice on:
How do I get to Guia Fortress from the Macau Ferry Terminal?
From the Guia Fortress, how do I get to Senado Square?
Thank you.
Written October 25, 2016
Hi there you might want to take a cab. Its everywhere and its extremely cheap !
Written December 4, 2016
Hi,
How does someone in a wheelchair get to the top? Is the cable car possible?
Thank you.
Written September 1, 2015
Sadly, the answer is no. You can walk up Calcado do Goia (street) past Hotel Guia and then up the street to the base of Guia Hill and Fortress attractions, but the rest of the walk is on cobblestoned walkways that are uneven and unsuitable for wheelchair access.
You can also take the cable car up to Guia Hill from Flora Park. However, again, you will face some challenging areas for making your way over to Guia Fortress on wheelchair.
Written October 5, 2015
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