Lilau Square
Lilau Square
3.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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3.5
106 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
40
Average
45
Poor
5
Terrible
2
luxuryvoyage
Switzerland4,019 contributions
Nov 2019
A small secluded place with trees for a cooling rest on the tour to the historical buildings. You feel as if you are somewhere in Portugal, surrounded by beautiful historic houses. The way to the square from Senado Square is easy. Very well signposted tour to the historical sights. About 15 minutes walk. You are almost alone in the quiet alleys with little traffic.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China174,695 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
Lilau Square is part of the Macau World Heritage collection and is situated just beside the impressive Manadarin's House attraction at the Rua do Lilua and Rua da Barra intersection. There are a couple points of interest on the square including the Portuguese style snack and drink kiosk, a common feature in parks around Portugal and something you can find around some of the parks and squares around Macau as well. This is also the location of the original source of spring water used by colonials during the early centuries of settlement. You can see the spring and fountain in the back corner of the square.
Some of Macau's few examples of Art Deco are found in the closed buildings that butt up against Lilau Square. These are closed to the public but interesting to view if you have an interest in Art Deco architecture. The square is also used for various light show festivals throughout the year. As such, if passing by you might find various installations or night light programs taking place.
Alas, for those planning to visit a majority of the World Heritage attractions in the Historic Centre of Macau, Lilau Square makes for a nice rest spot before/after a visit to Mandarin's House and before pressing onward to the Moorish Barracks and A-Ma Temple further down the street.
Some of Macau's few examples of Art Deco are found in the closed buildings that butt up against Lilau Square. These are closed to the public but interesting to view if you have an interest in Art Deco architecture. The square is also used for various light show festivals throughout the year. As such, if passing by you might find various installations or night light programs taking place.
Alas, for those planning to visit a majority of the World Heritage attractions in the Historic Centre of Macau, Lilau Square makes for a nice rest spot before/after a visit to Mandarin's House and before pressing onward to the Moorish Barracks and A-Ma Temple further down the street.
Written 27 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China174,695 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
This is the Chinese name for Lilau Square, a small but interesting stop on the UNESCO World Heritage trail in the Macau. At A Po Jing Square you can see one of the first spots in Macau to be inhabited by Portuguese settlers. This is also an East-meets-West architectural crossroad as evidenced by the surrounding buildings around the square.
Historically, the presence of fresh water in the area made this an ideal place to settle for some of Portugal's first arrivals in Macau. Today, what makes the square interesting is the presence of both Eastern and Western architectural styles in the surrounding buildings. Around the small square, itself, you can see traditional Portuguese and Southern European style structures, including what might be Macau's best examples of Art Deco architecture.
In stark contrast, just across the street, running along Lilau Square, you can see and visit the restored 19th-century Mandarin House. This complex of over 60 rooms was constructed in a fusion of various Chinese architectural styles. The Mandarin House has been beautifully restored and is well worth 30-60 minutes of your time to investigate and explore. We rate this attraction very highly and recommend a visit here as well as spending a few extra minutes in Lilau Square itself.
Tip: You can access Lilau Square by walking down Rua Padre Antonio past St. Lawrence Church. The street will become Calcada de Barra shortly before you approach Lilau Square and the Mandarin House.
Tip: After you visit Lilau Square, you can walk up a side hill lane to Penha Church which is perched upon a hill overlooking the surrounding areas. You can then continue to walk down Calcada de Barra past the Moorish Barracks, on your left until you reach Barra Square, where you find the famous A-Ma Temple.
Historically, the presence of fresh water in the area made this an ideal place to settle for some of Portugal's first arrivals in Macau. Today, what makes the square interesting is the presence of both Eastern and Western architectural styles in the surrounding buildings. Around the small square, itself, you can see traditional Portuguese and Southern European style structures, including what might be Macau's best examples of Art Deco architecture.
In stark contrast, just across the street, running along Lilau Square, you can see and visit the restored 19th-century Mandarin House. This complex of over 60 rooms was constructed in a fusion of various Chinese architectural styles. The Mandarin House has been beautifully restored and is well worth 30-60 minutes of your time to investigate and explore. We rate this attraction very highly and recommend a visit here as well as spending a few extra minutes in Lilau Square itself.
Tip: You can access Lilau Square by walking down Rua Padre Antonio past St. Lawrence Church. The street will become Calcada de Barra shortly before you approach Lilau Square and the Mandarin House.
Tip: After you visit Lilau Square, you can walk up a side hill lane to Penha Church which is perched upon a hill overlooking the surrounding areas. You can then continue to walk down Calcada de Barra past the Moorish Barracks, on your left until you reach Barra Square, where you find the famous A-Ma Temple.
Written 10 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China174,695 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
Lilau Square is a small but interesting stop on the UNESCO World Heritage trail in the Historic Centre of Macau. Here you can find one of the first locations inhabited by Portuguese settlers as well as an East-meets-West architectural crossroad in the buildings seen on the square.
Historically, the presence of fresh water in the area made this an ideal place to settle for some of Portugal's first arrivals in Macau. Today, what makes the square interesting is the presence of both Eastern and Western architectural styles in the surrounding buildings. Around the small square, itself, you can see traditional Portuguese and Southern European style structures, including what might be Macau's best examples of Art Deco architecture.
In stark contrast, just across the street, running along Lilau Square, you can see and visit the restored 19th-century Mandarin House. This complex of over 60 rooms was constructed in a fusion of various Chinese architectural styles. The Mandarin House has been beautifully restored and is well worth 30-60 minutes of your time to investigate and explore. We rate this attraction very highly and recommend a visit here as well as spending a few extra minutes in Lilau Square itself.
Tip: You can access Lilau Square by walking down Rua Padre Antonio past St. Lawrence Church. The street will become Calcada de Barra shortly before you approach Lilau Square and the Mandarin House.
Tip: After you visit Lilau Square, you can walk up a side hill lane to Penha Church which is perched upon a hill overlooking the surrounding areas. You can then continue to walk down Calcada de Barra past the Moorish Barracks, on your left until you reach Barra Square, where you find the famous A-Ma Temple.
Historically, the presence of fresh water in the area made this an ideal place to settle for some of Portugal's first arrivals in Macau. Today, what makes the square interesting is the presence of both Eastern and Western architectural styles in the surrounding buildings. Around the small square, itself, you can see traditional Portuguese and Southern European style structures, including what might be Macau's best examples of Art Deco architecture.
In stark contrast, just across the street, running along Lilau Square, you can see and visit the restored 19th-century Mandarin House. This complex of over 60 rooms was constructed in a fusion of various Chinese architectural styles. The Mandarin House has been beautifully restored and is well worth 30-60 minutes of your time to investigate and explore. We rate this attraction very highly and recommend a visit here as well as spending a few extra minutes in Lilau Square itself.
Tip: You can access Lilau Square by walking down Rua Padre Antonio past St. Lawrence Church. The street will become Calcada de Barra shortly before you approach Lilau Square and the Mandarin House.
Tip: After you visit Lilau Square, you can walk up a side hill lane to Penha Church which is perched upon a hill overlooking the surrounding areas. You can then continue to walk down Calcada de Barra past the Moorish Barracks, on your left until you reach Barra Square, where you find the famous A-Ma Temple.
Written 2 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barrie583
Vancouver, Canada16 contributions
Oct 2011 • Solo
Lilau Square (Largo do Lilau) was the location of a natural spring that provided fresh water to the early Portuguese settlers of Macau. Lilau in Portuguese translates as “mountain spring” in English. This became the focal point of the early Portuguese settlement. Some charming colonial buildings surround this small square while the Mandarin’s House is only a short stroll from the square.
An old Macanese folk saying states:
“Who drinks from the waters of Lilau
can never leave Macau.
Their home is Macau, and
They will always return to Macau.
A sign warms the visitor that the water is not safe to drink.
An old Macanese folk saying states:
“Who drinks from the waters of Lilau
can never leave Macau.
Their home is Macau, and
They will always return to Macau.
A sign warms the visitor that the water is not safe to drink.
Written 19 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tamsin H
Sydney, Australia678 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
Largo do Lilau or Lilau square is a a beautiful tree filled square surrounded by delightful buildings. A serene place for a sit down while sightseeing.
Written 21 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
madulak
Brussels, Belgium88 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
We stopped here at a small kiosk with tea and postcards and had some very good green tea. We also bought a few postcards and wrote them while drinking the tea and watching local people pass by. It's a very pleasant place to enjoy the charm of Macau
Written 3 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jie l
11 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
I hear my friend has said that, he would rather sit in the Largo do Lilau doing nothing than go somewhere else.
I also hear of the story of Largo do Lilau. It is said that in the Ming dynasty, an old granny built a pool and collect mountain spring, in order to let people drink. Early Portuguese settled down here, so it is one of the oldest suburbs in Macau. There is a folk song saying that, once you drink the water of Largo do Lilau, then you cannot forget Macau. Either settle down here, or come back when you leave.
One night, I just walked with my friends without destination. We found a signpost written" Largo do Lilau", then we went there. It was a small place with few people. The buildings are Portuguese architecture. We sat on the chair without talking too much. The dim light created a sequestered atmosphere. I saw the pool, and thank of the old story, and thank of what my friend has said, and understand them all.
It is a place that worth visiting, especially when you want inner peace.
I also hear of the story of Largo do Lilau. It is said that in the Ming dynasty, an old granny built a pool and collect mountain spring, in order to let people drink. Early Portuguese settled down here, so it is one of the oldest suburbs in Macau. There is a folk song saying that, once you drink the water of Largo do Lilau, then you cannot forget Macau. Either settle down here, or come back when you leave.
One night, I just walked with my friends without destination. We found a signpost written" Largo do Lilau", then we went there. It was a small place with few people. The buildings are Portuguese architecture. We sat on the chair without talking too much. The dim light created a sequestered atmosphere. I saw the pool, and thank of the old story, and thank of what my friend has said, and understand them all.
It is a place that worth visiting, especially when you want inner peace.
Written 19 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nilusha F
Colombo, Sri Lanka247 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
You pass Lilau Square on the way to A Ma Temple & The Moorish Barracks. This is quaint little shady spot with big trees and benches to take a break. You see locals with kids in strollers taking a break to having lunch here. Lot's of quick photo opportunities. You probably don't want to spend more than 10min here but a nice thing to see just passing by.
Written 17 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Portugal Pedro
Lisbon, Portugal41 contributions
Jan 2013
The lilau square is one of the oldest places of Portuguese presence in Macau, it used to be a place where the Portuguese people lived, it is one of the world heritage places of Macau just on the other side of the road of mandarins house.
There is a saying in Macau that mentions that everyone tha drinks from the lilau square fountain will return to Macau.
It is really a lovely place.
There is a saying in Macau that mentions that everyone tha drinks from the lilau square fountain will return to Macau.
It is really a lovely place.
Written 22 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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