A-Ma Temple

Hours & Admission Price Peak Season
Jan.-Dec.
7:00-18:00
Free Low Season
Jan.-Dec.
7:00-18:00
Free Address & Phone +853 3996397 In the southeast of the Macau Peninsula Transportation One can bus No.10, 10A, 11, 18, 21, 21A, 1, 1A, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 26, 28B, 34 to get there Notes

Located in the southeast of the Macau Peninsula, A-Ma Temple is one of the oldest and the most famous temples in Macau. It is a must see when traveling in Macau.

Known as Tianhou Temple, A-Ma Temple was built in the region of Emperor Hongzhi in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and has a history of more than 500 years. It is located in the southeast of the Macau Peninsula and surrounded by the seas and mountains. Rich in Chinese cultural characteristics, A-Ma Temple is one of the oldest and the most famous temples in Macau. It was added into the World Heritage List in 2005.

A-Ma Temple was built to memorize Mazu, the sacred sea goddess who blesses the fishermen of Macau. Mazu means mother in Fujian. It is said that the goddess was originally called Lin Mo. She was born in Putian City, Fujian Province and was very kind and helpful. She was highly respected by the local person and worshiped in the temple. She was modeled as a goddess who can help people ward of calamities and protect them from danger.　

About the Name

It is said that the Portuguese landed on the shore of the peninsula opposite the A-Ma Temple and asked the name of the place. They were told "Ma Kok". In this way, the Portuguese transliterated into "Macau". Therefore, the name of Macau is thought to be derived from the name of the temple.

Structure

The whole temple is composed of the Gate Pavilion, the Memorial Archway, the Prayer Hall, the Hongren Hall, the Hall of Guanyin, and Zhengjiao Chanlin. Although small and crude, all of them are set in an order, which is in perfect harmony with the natural environment.

Gate Pavilion

The Gate Pavilion is a granite structure with a width of 4.5 meters and a door opening. “Mazu Pavilion” in Chinese is inscribed on the lintel. It was guarded by a pair of stone lions, fine in technique and exquisite in design. It is said to be a masterpiece of a craftsman in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The main hall is decorated with ceramic animal patterns and formed a very distinctive profile.

Memorial Archway

Following the Gate Pavilion, there is a four pillars memorial archway. It is built by granite and guarded by four stone lions. A succession of pavilions are aligned with the main gate, starting with the Memorial Archway to the Prayer Hall.

Prayer Hall

The Prayer Hall is one of the halls dedicated to Tianhou. Together with the main building in the gate and the Memorial Archway, they stand in a line in space. It is a granite structure featuring lattice windows and upturned roof ridges. The roof of the hall is covered with glazed tile and the ridge is decorated with exaggerated patterns.

Hongren Hall

The Hongren Hall is also built with granite and brick, but much smaller in scale. Like the Prayer Hall, the roof is covered with green glazed tiles and the roof ridges is decorated with exquisite patterns. The sculpture of Tianhou is also worshiped here. The sculpture of the waitress and the relief are inscribed on the inner wall of the hall.

Hall of Guanyin and Zhengjiao Chanlin pavilion

Hall of Guanyin lies on the top of the Barra Hill. It is a plain brick structure. In comparison, the Zhengjiao Chanlin pavilion has more refined architectural details and is more impressive in scale.

Many devout men and women are blessing in the temple, especially during the spring festival and the Mar. 23th in the Lunar month, the birthday of the goddess. Many colorful activities will be held at that time, which makes the temple lively. Mazu is not only the Tianhou worshiped by the devout men and women but an international cultural phenomenon.

Macau Culture