3 Best Sights in Macau, China

The Mandarin's House—Macau's largest representation of Guangdong residential architecture—covers 43,055 square feet and includes more than 60 rooms. Built in 1869 and refurbished in 2010, the compound melds Chinese and western architectural elements. It was once home to Zheng Guanying, a famous literary figure of the late Qing Dynasty, who finished his influential masterpiece Words of Warning in Times of Prosperity under this roof.

Founded in 1569 by Dom Belchior Carneiro, Macau's first bishop, the Macau Holy House of Mercy is the China coast's oldest Christian charity, and it continues to take care of the underprivileged with a welfare shop and low-rent housing. It also operates a nursery, a house for the elderly and a center for the blind. The exterior of the heritage-listed building is neoclassical, but the interior is done in a contrasting opulent, modern style. The second floor houses a museum of Roman Catholic relics and also displays portraits of its earliest benefactors, including Martha Merop.

These five sea-green buildings are interesting examples of Porto-Chinese architecture and were originally residences of wealthy local merchants. They now house changing art exhibitions. Paths lead into the beautiful adjoining Carmel Garden, where palm trees provide welcome shade. Within the garden stands the brilliant white-and-yellow Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Church of Our Lady of Carmel), built in 1885 and featuring a handsome single-belfry tower.