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Most Beautiful Places to Experience Nature in Macau

Hac Sa Reservoir Country Park
Hac Sa Reservoir Country Park | courtesy of Macao Government Tourist Office

Nature may not be Macau’s main draw, but it certainly has some worthwhile green spots that make a refreshing alternative to its casinos and urbanised areas. From parks and hiking trails to beaches, here’s our pick of the best spots to experience nature in Macau

Hiking and Nature Paths

Macau has 13 hiking trails and nature paths that offer a great chance to break away from the hustle and bustle and discover a more scenic side to the city. The majority of these trails are located on the south side of Coloane Island which has earned itself the nickname “Green Lung” for its rolling hills and sylvan forests.

The 8km Coloane Hiking Trail, is one of the more popular trails, taking hikers to the summit of Alto de Coloane, where you can enjoy panoramic views across the South China Sea. As an added bonus, the popular sites of A-Ma Temple and the statue of A-Ma are located just before you reach the top of the hill.
Coloane Alto, Macau

Alto de Coloane

Other highlights include the 2.7km Northeast Coloane Walking Trail, featuring 10 observation points so you can rest and take your time to enjoy the beautiful views. The 1.2km Dragon Claws Trail in the southwest of Coloane is also well worth doing. It features some fascinating rock formations, including one rock in the shape of a clawed dragon.

If you’re with children, there are four family trails with a favourite being the 2.6km Hac Sa Reservoir Family Trail which culminates with a delightful view of the Hac Sa Beach, Macau’s “black sand” beach which is more beige in colour these days, but still worth a visit.
Hac Sa Beach, 黑沙海灘

Hac Sa Beach

Seac Pai Van Park

Seac Pai Van Park is Macau’s largest natural green area and is a popular spot for family outings. Here you will find children’s playgrounds, picnic areas, flowerbeds, a small zoo with several species of monkeys, and a large walk in aviary with peacocks, pheasants, and other colorful species.

However, the main attraction of this park is the Macau Giant Panda Pavilion. The pavilion offers a rare chance to catch a glimpse of two giant pandas, Kai Kai and Xin Xin. In 2016, giant panda Xin Xin gave birth to a set of adorable twins named named Dabao and Xiaobao who the public are now able to visit as well. The pavilion is a 3,000 square meter state of the art facility that comprises indoor activity quarters and an outdoor yard, as well as centers for the feeding and caring for the pandas.

In addition, Seac Pai Van Park is the starting point for walks along two of Coloane’s more scenic trails: the Seac Pai Van Nature Walk and the Seac Pai Van River Ecological Trail. Entry to the park is free but there is a small charge of 10 patacas to enter the Giant Panda Pavilion.

Estrada de Seac Pai Van, Macau

Giant panda

Hac Sa Reservoir Country Park

The Hac Sa Reservoir Park is a stunning recreation area which is a popular location for family outings. It offers facilities including paddle boats and canoes, a plant maze, a grassy slope that children can slide down, picnic areas and camping grounds.

The park also offers a family walking trail which leads around the reservoir’s blue waters and up to more elevated areas which offer views down across Hac Sa Bay. For those looking to work up more of a sweat, there is also the 1.5km Hac Sa Reservoir fitness trail which encompasses nine fitness stations and a jogging trail in shade around the reservoir.

Estrada de Hac Sa, Macau

Hac Sa Reservoir Country Park

About the author

An award-winning writer, Matthew moved to Hong Kong in 2014 and writes exclusively about Southeast Asia. He’s written for The Guardian and BBC amongst others.

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