Built in 1626, Fortaleza do Monte was for many years the hub of Portugal’s military presence in this part of China, eventually serving as the governor’s residence, a role it performed until 1749. Today, this former fortress houses the three-story Macau Museum, dedicated to the archaeology and anthropology of Macau with an emphasis on how the Chinese, Portuguese, and Macanese have come to live and work together (English language guided tours are available).

Also worth visiting is theMount Fortress Garden, a welcome respite with its pleasant moat-like pond and flower beds, and the Moorish-style Mans£o Evocativa de Sun Yat-Sen, a mansion built in memory of Sun Yat-sen, founder of the first Chinese Republic. Highlights include displays about his life along with interesting photographs of Chiang Kai-shek. Another related site is Sun Yat Sen Park (one of 43 worldwide that bear his name) with its beautiful gardens, a Victorian greenhouse, and an aviary.