This isn't Beijing! The Macao Museum of Art Meets the Palace of Many Splendors.

Leaving the Science Museum, return to Avenida da Praia Grande and cross the pedestrian bridge to reach the entrance of the Macao Museum of Art. While the museum's exterior is unassuming, the interior is surprisingly spacious and filled with a rich collection of exhibits, making it a veritable treasure trove of art. Highlights: ↖️ First up is the "New Images" exhibition, showcasing contemporary art from the museum's collection. Featuring over 100 pieces by artists from Macao, Portugal, Russia, Australia, and other countries, the exhibition covers a variety of mediums, including watercolor, oil painting, ink painting, printmaking, and photography. ↖️ Next is the "Memory, Heritage, Metamorphosis" exhibition, part of the China-Portuguese Speaking Countries Art Exhibition. This exhibition uses a rich array of visual art forms, from photography and painting to mixed-media collages, 3D installations, and immersive virtual reality experiences. Over 100 works by more than 20 artists from Mainland China, Macao, and Portuguese-speaking countries blend Eastern, Western, and Global South influences to create a new artistic context. ↖️ The most surprising discovery is the "Illustrious Virtue Under Heaven" exhibition, featuring artifacts from the Palace of Many Splendors (Chong Hua Palace) in Beijing's Forbidden City. Located in the northwest corner of the Forbidden City, the Palace of Many Splendors was originally built in the early Ming Dynasty as a complex of five courtyards known as the Qianxi Five Courts. During the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty, it served as the residence of princes and grandsons of the emperor. In 1727, the fourth prince, Hongli, moved to the second courtyard of Qianxi after his marriage. In 1733, he was named Prince Bao and his residence was given the name "Hall of Pleasure and Goodness." On August 23, 1735, Hongli ascended the throne and changed his reign title to Qianlong the following year. After becoming emperor, Qianlong moved to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and the second courtyard of Qianxi became the "Hidden Dragon Residence," later elevated to palace status and renamed the "Palace of Many Splendors." The name "Chong Hua" comes from the Book of Documents, meaning "Emperor Shun said Chong Hua," symbolizing the sage succession of emperors like Yao and Shun, from father to son. Emperor Qianlong meticulously renovated the Palace of Many Splendors, completely altering the original layout of the Qianxi Five Courts. From the time he moved there after his marriage until his death, the Palace of Many Splendors held great significance for him over 72 years. It served as his study, treasury, and a venue for banquets. In his "Record of the Palace of Many Splendors," he wrote: "I lived here in my youth, and studied here as I grew older. The policies of over 40 years all originated from here." Tips: ✔️ Located near Fisherman's Wharf ✔️ Free admission ✔️ The Cultural Centre Square outside the museum offers a completely different perspective of Macao.