Interestingly, many first-time visitors to Macao often mistake 'Cotai' for an old district with a long history. In reality, this reclaimed land connecting Taipa and Coloane is only about 30 years old — Cotai only truly emerged after the Lotus Bridge opened in 1999.
With that in mind, this article expands the scope to take you through the actual fortress ruins in the Cotai area (including Coloane, Taipa, and their surroundings). They may not be as famous as the Ruins of St. Paul's, but it's precisely this 'lack of fame' that has preserved Macao's last remaining tranquility and weathered charm.
St. Francis Xavier Chapel: The Low-Key Faith Fortress on Coloane Island
Tucked deep in Coloane's town center, St. Francis Xavier Chapel was built in 1928 as the naval chaplaincy for Portuguese marines. Its yellow limestone walls and pure white arched windows and doors appear particularly serene under the blue sky. What makes this chapel special isn't its size — in fact, it's remarkably small — but the history behind it: in the 1970s, Coloane remained a tightly-controlled military zone off-limits to ordinary vessels, and this chapel was the only building where civilians were permitted.
In the square before the chapel stands a Baroque-style fountain paved with Portuguese stone tiles, said to be a place where sailors once prayed for blessings. Even today, every Sunday, local residents hold Mass here, with fishing nets drying on the railings beside the church — a scene that can no longer be found in Macao.
Tam Kong Temple: The Folk Continuation of Coastal Defense Memory
Also built in 1901, Coloane's Tam Kong Temple is now over a century old. This temple dedicated to the sea god Tam Kong was actually part of the Qing Dynasty's coastal defense system for Macao — the water route from Xiangshan County (present-day Zhongshan) to Macao had guard posts here. The temple preserves what is said to be a massive iron anchor used by customs officials back then, weighing over a hundred pounds and so heavy that an ordinary person cannot move it alone.
Interestingly, though this temple is small, it is one of the very few places in Macao where you can still see the traditional 'temple keeper' system. Elderly residents living nearby still volunteer to tend to the temple during festivals, and take turns explaining the worn inscriptions to visitors.
Guanyin Ancient Temple: The Qing Dynasty Relic on Taipa That Almost Disappeared
If you're willing to walk a bit further, the Guanyin Ancient Temple in Taipa's old town district is worth a special visit. Nestled among reinforced concrete high-rises, this small temple was built during the Daoguang period (around 1849) and is the oldest Chinese religious building on Taipa Island.
What makes it particularly special is that this temple almost got demolished during the real estate development boom of the 1990s. It was ultimately preserved thanks to the efforts of local history and culture researchers, but at the cost of its surrounding environment being completely transformed — now you can only imagine its original appearance through Google Street View.
Casas das Portugueseas: The Glamorous Transformation of a Military Base
When it comes to 'fortresses,' Casa das Portugueseas (the old Taipa waterfront) may be the place with the most 'fortress feel.' This area was indeed a military exclusion zone before the 1970s — Portuguese naval territory. After the military withdrew in the 1990s, the area was transformed into a cultural attraction showcasing Portuguese heritage. The mint-green Portuguese-style building complex with red tile roofs, reflected in the wetland waters, has become an Instagram hotspot.
But few people know that the 'Portuguese-style cottages' where everyone takes photos today were actually the military officers' quarters back then. The actual barracks remain closed to the public to this day, and some are said to have been converted into high-end restaurants.
Practical Information
The most convenient way to reach these locations is by taking buses on the Taipa or Coloane lines. It is recommended to use the Macau Pass card (also called MPass), with a single ride costing MOP$6, though a day pass (MOP$55) offers better value — especially if you plan to visit all the attractions listed above.
Departing from Cotai, it takes about 25 minutes to reach Coloane's town center and about 15 minutes to reach Taipa's old town district. If time is limited, it is recommended to follow the route 'Casas das Portugueseas → Guanyin Ancient Temple → St. Francis Xavier Chapel' to avoid backtracking.
Travel Tips
The biggest commonality among these 'fortress' ruins is that they all sit on the 'edge of being forgotten' — not because they lack value, but because they're too small to be included in mainstream travel guides.
My advice is: definitely don't treat them as 'attractions.' They're more like fragments of time, requiring you to slow down and experience them at a 'strolling' pace. If you come with a 'must-see' mentality, these places will surely disappoint you; but if you're willing to spend an afternoon wandering through Coloane's little alleys and grabbing a serving of curry fish balls along the way — that feeling is something the crowds at the Ruins of St. Paul can never give you.
