'''Coloane''' (_H__ - ''Louwan'' in Cantonese, ''Luhuan'' in Mandarin) was the southern-most island in China's Special Adminstrative Region of Macau. It used to be separated from Taipa to the north but the two are now joined by the Cotai Strip to form one huge island.

The island, formerly a haven for pirates who sought shelter in its many coves, is largely rural and provides a wonderful break from the crowded and busy Macau Peninsular. Here, you'll find the quaint Coloane Village with its pastel Portuguese-style houses and narrow lanes. Coloane also has two of Macau's best beaches - Cheoc Van and Hac Sa. Many people from Macau come over to Coloane to feast on Macanese cuisine and seafood.

Get in

By bus

Buses connect various parts of Macau Peninsula with Coloane via Taipa and Cotai. Fares are MOP$4 for buses to Coloane Village, or MOP$5 for buses which end their journey at Hac Sa Beach.

'''Between Macau Peninsula and Coloane:'''

  • '''21''' - Ponte a Horta to Coloane Village via A-Ma Temple, Macau Tower, Taipa City, Macau International Airport
  • '''21A''' - A-Ma Temple to Hac Sa Beach via Av de Almeida Ribeiro, Hotel Lisboa, Taipa City, Cotai, Coloane Village
  • '''25''' - Portas do Cerco to Hac Sa Beach via Rua do Campo, Hotel Lisboa, Taipa City, Cotai, Coloane Village
  • '''26''' - Fai Chi Kei to Coloane Village (Hac Sa in summer) via Ponte a Horta, A-Ma Temple, Sai Van Bridge, Macau Jockey Club, Macau International Airport
  • '''26A''' - Fai Chi Kei to Coloane (Hac Sa in summer) via Red Market, Av de Almeida Ribeiro, Hotel Lisboa, Taipa City, Macau Stadium, Olympic Aquatic Centre
  • '''Between Taipa and Coloane only:'''

  • '''15''' - Ocean Garden to Ka Ho Village via Macau Jockey Club, Taipa Village, Cotai Frontier Post, Coloane Village, Cheok Van Beach and Hac Sa Beach
  • By road

    Coloane is linked by several roads, including the main Taipa-Coloane Isthmus Causeway, to Taipa, which in turn is linked by bridges to Macau Peninsula. The roads go through Cotai, the reclaimed area between Coloane and Taipa.

    By boat

    There are no regular boat services from Coloane to other parts of Macau, nearby Hengqin Island in Zhuhai, China nor Hong Kong.

    See

  • '''Coloane Village''' - Quiet and lazy, Coloane Village, the main village on the island, is a joy to just walk around and explore. Its narrow lanes lined with pastel-coloured houses and shops. Avenida de Cinco de Outubro is the main esplanade where you can look across the narrow channel to Hengqin Island in China. Along this street you will find the pretty '''Chapel of St Francis''' set back from the road by a square flanked by restaurants. In the square is a monument dedicated to the fight against piracy. Further along is the collonaded '''Biblioteca''' (public library) and right at the southern end of the road is the '''Tam Kong Temple'''. North of the main square, you'll find the boat-building quarter, the village pier and the '''Sam Seng Temple'''.
  • '''A-Ma Statue and Cultural Village''' - The 20m statue is situated on top of the 176m Alto de Coloane and was erected in 1998. The surrounding cultural village has religious and cultural buildings and a vegetarian restaurant. The statue and cultural village can be reached via Estrada do Alto de Coloane or by walking the Coloane trail.
  • '''Seac Pai Van Park''' - This 20 hectare park along Estrada Seac Pai Van just south of the Taipa-Coloane Isthmus Causeway, has a medicinal garden as well as other green areas, a mini zoo and a lake. The '''Museum of Nature and Agriculture''' is also located within the park.
  • Do

    Swimming

    Macau's two beaches are located on the southern side of Coloane and are frequented by locals and visitors, especially at the weekend:
  • '''Hac Sa''' (_K__ - ''black sand'') beach, the larger of the two, in a bay with the Westin resort on its eastern end. The water is of mediocre quality but brave swimmers can enter the water here. Those less brave choose the swimming pool just opposite the beach.
  • '''Cheoc Van''' (_|_s - ''bamboo bay'') beach, a smaller and more beautiful beach. The sand here is golden and more inviting to sunbathe or play on. There is a nice curved swimming pool just by the beach (as opposed to the traditional rectangular one at Hac Sa). A cordoned-off area of the bay is set aside for swimmers, and members of the Winter Swimmers Association go swimming here daily (yes, even in the coldest of winter!).
  • Hiking/Cycling

    Coloane's large hilly area in the centre of the island is criss-crossed with unpaved hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty. They are also suitable for mountain-biking. It is advisable to cycle there early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid the crowds of hikers during the weekends.

    Buy

    Eat

  • '''Nga Tim''', Coloane Village, Coloane - What a beautiful outdoor setting! Located in the colonnade on the left as you face St. Francis Xavier Church, the restaurant serves up authentic Portuguese and Chinese fare with views of the church plaza and the waterfront. Popular with tourists and locals, they accept credit cards and are reasonably priced.
  • '''Fernando's''', Hac Sa Wan, Coloane. Tel: 882531 - Delicious food in a homey atmosphere. They have their own way of doing things; credit cards are not accepted, reservations cannot be made (except on weekdays for large parties) (on weekends head through to the courtyard bar at the back, give your details and relax with a jug of Sangria); ask for Ketchup if you dare. For two people, the Salad (comes with freshly baked bread), the Prawns and the Chicken (served on a bed of chips) should be sufficient.
  • '''Lord Stow's Bakery''', Sit-down cafes at Rua da Cordoaria and Rua da Tassara No. 1 (''next to Banco Comercial de Macau'') and a bakery at the Village Square - A Macau institution, Lord Stow's is famous for its cheesecakes, fruitcakes, sandwiches, and most of all, its '''Portuguese egg tarts''', which are famous throughout Asia.
  • Pousada de Coloane. ousada de Coloane, Praia de Cheoc Van, Colane Island. 888 2143. pen Daily. esonably priced. Pousada de Coloane, and facing the picturesque Cheoc Van Beach, this splendid restaurant serves delicious, home-style Portuguese cuisine in a lovely environment.

    Drink

    Sleep

    Budget

  • Pousada de Juventude de Hac Sa (Youth Hostel), Estrada Nova de Hac Sa 882 701
  • Splurge

    '''4-star'''
  • '''Pousada de Coloane''', [http://www.hotelpcoloane.com.mo] Praia de Cheoc Van, Coloane. Tel: ''+853''-28882143. Fax: ''+853''-28882251 - Family hotel that actually feels more like a 3-star hotel. Even though recently renovated (2006), rooms are still not as good as other hotels in Macau. However, its location cannot be beaten, with the better rooms all having a small balcony with views out over the bay.
  • '''5-star'''

  • '''The Westin Resort''', [http://www.westin.com/macau] 1918 Estrada de Hac Sa, Coloane. Tel: ''+853''-28871111. Fax: ''+853''-28871122. Email: macau@westin.com - Macau's most expensive hotel and a good place to relax by the pool or on the golf course. Also renowned for its lunch and dinner buffets. Rather impersonal. If you are going to Ferandos, and want to save money
  • Contact