Brimming with peppermint green traditional Portuguese houses, Taipa is proud of its characterful heritage but is also trending with emerging artists, entrepreneurs, and independent specialist retailers.
Taipa is brimming with peppermint green traditional Portuguese houses.
I started my exploratory at Taipa Houses, a glorious row of five seaside mansions, lustily sporting their proud Portuguese pedigree, that were built just under a century ago for the colonial administrators.
Repurposed as museums, these evocative residences have been faithfully preserved as living storehouses on Tapia's living history. In a vivid reminder of Macao's surging development, at the time they were built, they faced out on the shoreline. Now, they look out on a small lake, bracketed by major land reclamation.
I met up with Pamela Chan, Taipa Village's marketing manager, who introduced me to some of the neighbourhood's diverse and compelling assortment of experiences, begging to be uncovered, in the quiet pastel-coloured lanes of this old fishing village.
It's the walkability of the village, and that quaint small-town ambience, that makes the place so instantly agreeable.
Much quieter on this side of Taipa.
From pastel-hued villas and cobblestoned lanes, lined with twinkling street lamps, to Taipa's colonial churches and time-honoured temples, Tapia's cultural heritage runs deep and true.
Enriching that texture is the proliferation of edgy new art galleries, installations and street art. Taipa Village Art Space has repurposed a traditional shop house as a dedicated art gallery, showcasing an engaging roster of exhibitions from local and international emerging artists.
There's some cracking street art wrapped around Taipa's venerable lanes.
Stake out the wondrous wall carvings of acclaimed Portuguese visual artist Alexandro Farto aka Vhils.
Quarter Square's thoughtfully selected product range is distinctively different.
The creative spirit and energy of the village is unmistakable. What I particularly loved about Taipa is its compact variety, whereby you can enjoy a restorative drink overlooking a pint-sized temple, or sip milk tea in a local teahouse as the hustle of a village market hits full-throttle.
Old trade customs, neighbourhood eateries, artisans and independent start-ups overlay each other in a colourful cauldron of human-scale commerce, endeavour and raw artisanal prowess.
The heart of this village's vitality is strong and sure-footed. Grab a village map for a self-guided stroll of discovery. taipavillagemacau.com
Walking tour uncovers delights
My walking tour of Taipa began outside Antonio, a Michelin-recommended beacon for authentic and unpretentious Portuguese food, which has just celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Antonio Coelho has stamped his culinary mark across the lane, with the opening of the sister venue, Tapas de Portugal, another buzzing go-to for contemporary Portuguese tapas, paired with superb beers, wines and cocktails.
Amid the mouth-watering array of bite-sized menu delights, a must-try is the roasted suckling pig with homemade potato chips and salad.
The old-school and the new breed are seemingly happy bed pals all over Taipa. Sei Kee Café conveys a sure taste of history, with old-style clay pot coffee and tea, heated by charcoal.
Then there is Blissful Carrot, a fiendishly popular on-trend vegetarian takeaway and bakery. An essential stop is Pastelaria, Fong Kei's almond cookies and peanut candies are sinfully good.
Independent and creative retailers are another emerging stand-out in Taipa, with a multitude of inventive offerings to savour. A star specimen is Quarter Square Lifestyle Boutique & Espresso Bar, which combines sublime coffee with a showroom of superb designer homewares and gifts.
From brass pencil holders to designer dinner mats — Quarter Square's thoughtfully selected product range is distinctively different. Rooftop Macau Lifestyle Store, Bare Nutrition and City Square are also highly recommended boutique retail offerings.
I zipped my way between Hong Kong International Airport and Macao with TurboJET, which operates direct high-speed jetfoil services. It's the fast, efficient and hassle-free way to travel to Macao, with convenient baggage handling services, enabling you to check-in your luggage for your onward flight home to New Zealand at the Macao Ferry Terminal. turbojet.com.hk
Check out the official Macao tourism website, to keep abreast with holiday deals, event and festival highlights looming on the calendar, and the full range of sightseeing, shopping and dining temptations. visitmacao.com.au
