Check-in at Macau's Highest Peak: Under 100 Meters Yet Holds World Heritage Sites and Offers Panoramic Views of Macau

Not long ago, Yufan saw a ranking of the highest peaks in China's provinces and cities. The top three were Mount Qomolangma (8,844 meters) in Tibet, Qogir Peak (8,611 meters) in Xinjiang, and Gongga Snow Mountain (7,556 meters) in Sichuan, known as the king of Sichuan's mountains. Most people probably know these three, but I bet 90% don't know which provinces the fourth and fifth ones belong to without checking data, let alone the shortest highest peak among provinces and cities.

We won't go into detail about the highest peaks of intermediate provinces here, but let's talk about the one ranked last: the highest peak in a province or city. It is Guia Hill (Songshan) in Macau, with a height of only 94 meters, four meters lower than Shanghai's highest peak, Tianma Mountain (98 meters), ranking 34th in the country. With the title of the highest peak yet the lowest rank, it is truly a very special mountain.

Originally named Dongwangyang Hill (East Hope Hill), Guia Hill is the highest peak on the Macau Peninsula, with an elevation of 94 meters (some sources say 93 meters). It connects with Ruoxian Hill to the south. The name "Dongwangyang" comes from being opposite to Xiwangyang Hill (West Hope Hill). Its Portuguese name originates from the name of the Dutch general who led the attack on Macau.

Guia Hill only dominates in Macau. Not to mention compared to mainland China, even compared to nearby Zhuhai, it doesn't rank high. But despite its mere 94 meters, it hides many treasures. For example, the Guia Fortress, also known as the Dongwangyang Fortress, was built in the 17th century. It is one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Macau and one of the oldest surviving Western-style fortress complexes in China. It is one of the three famous historical sites on Dongwangyang Hill. The fortress was built in 1622, nearly 400 years ago. Its plan is an irregular polygon, with walls about 6 meters high, built of granite. In places where cannons were mounted, the parapet is slightly lower. Surrounding it are sentry houses, powder magazines, towers, and other auxiliary buildings. It was a military restricted area until 1976, when the Portuguese army withdrew from Macau, and the fortress was opened as a tourist attraction. It still retains its original appearance intact.

Next to the Guia Fortress is a lighthouse called the Guia Lighthouse, which is also one of the three famous historical sites on Guia Hill. Built in 1865, it is over 150 years old and is the oldest lighthouse in Far East history. The lighthouse still shines all night to guide ships around Macau. There is a telescope next to the lighthouse; on clear days, you can see Lantau Island, the largest island in Hong Kong.

Besides the fortress and lighthouse, another ancient building worth visiting on Guia Hill is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snow (Portuguese: Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Guia), also one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Macau. According to nearby materials, this chapel was built in 1622 and completed in 1637, nearly 400 years old. Like the nearby Guia Lighthouse, it features classic Portuguese yellow and white design, simple and beautiful.

The chapel is rectangular, with thick side walls and buttresses to support the barrel-vaulted roof. However, the roof exterior is a pitched roof covered with red tiles. To the right of the main altar is a sacristy, and the choir loft is above the entrance door, very narrow. The facade design is relatively simple, with pilasters on both sides and a triangular pediment. The entrance door is designed in the same manner. The chapel's vault and walls are painted with colorful murals, blending Chinese and Western artistic techniques, highlighting the chapel's value.

The ceiling of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snow is arched, and the walls are painted with colorful murals of Bible stories and figures. The murals in the sacristy have delicate and lively lines, combining Chinese painting techniques with Western colors, harmoniously integrating Chinese and Western culture and art. The murals depict patterns such as Mary, Saint Anthony, a lion, a double-headed eagle, and peonies, highly artistic and ornamental. The chapel was built in 1622 when the Dutch invaded Macau. Legend has it that the Virgin Mary stepped out of the chapel and opened her cloak to block the enemy's gunfire.

As the highest peak in Macau, although not very tall in elevation, it is an excellent viewpoint. Leaning on the railing, you can take in the beautiful scenery of Macau.

Each direction offers different views, even the Hengqin New Area in Zhuhai. Against the backlight, famous landmarks such as the Grand Lisboa building and Macau Tower all appear before your eyes. It can be said that this is a great place to enjoy a panoramic view of Macau.

A little lower than the fortress, lighthouse, and chapel, there is a cylindrical pillar over one meter high. It looks unremarkable but is actually a landmark, because it is the coordinate of Macau. On maps marking Macau, if you zoom in, you will see that the mark is this pillar, commonly known as Macau's zero kilometer point.

"A mountain is famous not for its height but for its immortals. Water is divine not for its depth but for its dragons." Although Guia Hill in Macau is less than 100 meters, it hides many treasures. In 2005, the Guia Fortress (Dongwangyang Fortress), Guia Lighthouse, and the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snow on the hill, as part of the Historic Centre of Macau, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This is Macau's highest peak, Guia Hill (Dongwangyang Hill), at 94 meters above sea level. It is the shortest among the highest peaks of China's provinces and cities, but it contains many precious cultural relics and historic sites, including a World Heritage site. From this perspective, its artistic and cultural value is not inferior to the highest peaks of other provinces and cities, perhaps even surpassing them. Today, Guia Hill is a great place for locals to exercise and keep fit, and it is also worth visiting for tourists from elsewhere. Not to mention the historic sites on the hill, just by being the highest peak in Macau and an excellent viewing platform, a visit is worthwhile. Moreover, it doesn't take much time; you can reach the top from the foot in ten minutes. You can both climb high and see far without wasting too much time. Why not do it?