Beyond the Egg Tart: Macao's Heritage, Wellness and Sweet Surprises

From a sun-soaked hike to a historic lighthouse and a meeting with the family behind Macao's iconic egg tarts, discover a different side of Macao through its heritage, traditional wellness and deliciously creative experiences.

Think Macao is all about casinos, luxury resorts and Portuguese egg tarts? Think again! Beyond the dazzling skyline lies a destination filled with fascinating history, cultural traditions and unexpected experiences — from hilltop landmarks and traditional Chinese wellness to hands-on workshops that let you get creative.

Our exploration took us from a sweaty uphill hike to a historic lighthouse, into the world of traditional Chinese medicine, through heritage-filled streets and finally to a sweet workshop where we recreated one of Macao's most iconic landmarks using sugar. Along the way, we also had the opportunity to meet Audrey Stow, connecting us with the story behind one of the city's most beloved culinary icons.

A Little Hike, a Lighthouse and a View Worth the Sweat

We kicked things off at Guia Fortress and Lighthouse, one of Macao's historic landmarks perched on Guia Hill.

Getting there came with a little adventure of its own. We hiked uphill for around 10 minutes under the blazing heat, and although it was a relatively short climb, the weather certainly made sure we felt every step! A little sweat, a few deep breaths and plenty of determination later, we made it to the top.

And honestly? It was worth it.

Built in the 17th century, Guia Fortress formed part of Macao's historic defence system. The site is home to Guia Lighthouse, which began operating in 1865 and is recognised as the first modern lighthouse on the Chinese coast. There is also a chapel featuring distinctive architectural details and artistic influences that reflect Macao's cultural connections between East and West.

Together, the fortress, chapel and lighthouse form part of the Historic Centre of Macao, a UNESCO World Heritage property.

Beyond the history, the hilltop setting offers sweeping views across the Macao Peninsula.

It was a lovely reminder that exploring a city doesn't always mean heading straight for its famous shopping streets or attractions. Sometimes, a little uphill walk leads to a completely different perspective.

Travel tip: Bring comfortable walking shoes, water and a little patience with the heat. Your future self will thank you!

A Peek into the World of Traditional Chinese Wellness

From the heights of Guia Hill, we continued our exploration with a visit to the exhibition Ancient China in Cultural and Creative Products at Forum, followed by Beijing Tong Ren Tang, a traditional Chinese medicine shop, café and museum.

This was a fascinating introduction to the role traditional Chinese medicine plays in Chinese culture. Beyond the herbs and medicinal ingredients, the experience offered a glimpse into longstanding ideas about nourishment, balance and well-being that have influenced everyday life for generations.

What made the visit particularly interesting was seeing how these traditions are shared with modern audiences. It was a chance to learn about the cultural stories behind familiar and unfamiliar ingredients, and to appreciate the knowledge that has been passed down through generations.

And the best part? We didn't just learn about wellness — we got to experience it through food, too!

Lunch with a Traditional Chinese Twist

Lunch came with a choice of three traditional nourishing soups, each featuring a different combination of ingredients associated with Chinese wellness traditions.

The options included Dendrobium and Muscovy Duck Soup, American Ginseng Nourishing and Complexion-Enhancing Soup, and Codonopsis, Astragalus and Aged Pigeon Soup.

Each had its own distinctive ingredients and traditional associations, making the selection an experience in itself. Rather than simply choosing a dish from a menu, we had the opportunity to learn about the ingredients, understand their place in Chinese food culture and appreciate the thought behind these preparations.

It was a refreshing reminder that food can be much more than something delicious to eat. In many cultures, it is also closely connected to traditions of nourishment and the way people approach everyday well-being.

We ended the session with a wholesome meal that was both satisfying and interesting — a welcome change of pace after a morning of exploring.

Who knew a bowl of soup could come with so much cultural history?

Walking Through History at the Ruins of St. Paul's

Next, we headed into the historic heart of Macao for a UNESCO World Heritage tour, visiting the iconic Ruins of St. Paul's and the charming Travessa da Paixão.

The Ruins of St. Paul's are among the city's most recognisable landmarks. The surviving stone façade of the former Church of Mater Dei stands as a striking reminder of Macao's history as a meeting point between Chinese and European cultures.

Standing before the monument, it is easy to understand why it has become such an enduring symbol of the city. Its architecture tells a story of cultural exchange, faith and history that continues to shape Macao's identity today.

Just a short walk away, Travessa da Paixão offers a quieter and more intimate atmosphere. With its picturesque streets and distinctive buildings, it is a lovely spot for photographs and a chance to appreciate the details of Macao's historic neighbourhoods.

The best way to explore this area is on foot, allowing yourself time to look beyond the famous landmarks and discover the little details along the way.

And speaking of looking a little closer, our next experience gave us an entirely different way to appreciate the Ruins of St. Paul's!

Building Sweet Memories at MEMORIA

What better way to bring history to life than by turning it into something sweet?

At MEMORIA, we joined the Workshop St. Paul cookie-making class, where we got hands-on with creating our own edible interpretation of one of Macao's most iconic landmarks: the Ruins of St. Paul's.

The challenge? Using sugar to recreate the windows and architectural details of the famous façade!

It was a fun exercise that required a little patience, a steady hand and plenty of creativity. Reproducing the intricate details of a historic monument was certainly different from simply taking photographs of it, and there was something satisfying about watching the design come together piece by piece.

Instead of bringing home an ordinary souvenir, we created something inspired by the very landmark we had just visited — a sweet little keepsake with a personal touch.

The workshop was a playful reminder that travel experiences don't always have to involve sightseeing alone. Sometimes, the most memorable moments come from rolling up your sleeves, trying something new and discovering a destination through a completely different lens.

And if your creative masterpiece happens to be edible, that's an added bonus!

Meeting Audrey Stow: The Story Behind Macao's Iconic Egg Tart

For anyone who has visited Macao, Lord Stow's Portuguese egg tarts are probably already on the must-try list. But getting the opportunity to meet Audrey Stow, daughter of the late Andrew Stow, founder of Lord Stow's Bakery, made the experience particularly special.

The bakery's story began in Coloane in 1989, when Andrew Stow opened a small neighbourhood bakery. Inspired by Portugal's famous custard tarts, he developed his own recipe, creating the signature pastry that would eventually become synonymous with the Lord Stow's name.

What began as a modest bakery grew into one of Macao's best-known culinary names, helping turn its Portuguese-style egg tarts into a must-try treat for visitors from around the world.

Meeting Audrey offered a more personal connection to that legacy. Behind every iconic food destination is a story of people, ideas and years of dedication, and it was lovely to have the opportunity to connect with the family behind such a familiar name.

It also gave us a different appreciation of the humble egg tart. What may seem like a simple pastry is part of a much bigger story about entrepreneurship, culinary creativity and Macao's distinctive blend of cultural influences.

Of course, the story makes that golden, flaky pastry even more tempting!

For travellers, this is part of the fun of exploring a destination: discovering not just what to eat, but also the people and stories that make those experiences meaningful.

Discovering Macao, One Experience at a Time

From hiking up Guia Hill under the warm sun to exploring traditional Chinese wellness, wandering through heritage-filled streets, creating sweet architectural masterpieces and meeting the family behind a much-loved bakery, this journey revealed a more personal side of Macao.

The city is full of contrasts, where centuries-old landmarks coexist with modern attractions, traditional knowledge continues to inspire contemporary experiences, and a humble pastry has become an internationally recognised symbol of a destination.

For visitors willing to look beyond the usual highlights, Macao offers plenty of opportunities to learn, explore and connect with its culture in unexpected ways.

So, the next time you visit Macao, look beyond the bright lights. Climb a hill, wander through its historic streets, try something new and take the time to discover the stories behind its most familiar attractions.

You might just find that the sweetest travel memories are the ones you never expected.