Macao may be small in size but the richness of its cultural heritage has few rivals in this part of the world. And to gain a fair amount of knowledge in a short time about the history and uniqueness of this "mini-metropolis" in southern China, there is no better place than the museums dotting the city's downtown area.

The exhibits in local museums embrace the whole gamut of life through the centuries in this tiny territory and provide a full introduction to Macao, its industries and its people.

Macao Museum, located in the Mount Fortress next to the Ruins of St. Paul's, exhibits a vast array of objects of great historical value. To learn more about the history of Taipa and Coloane, treat yourself to a visit to the Historical Museum of Taipa and Coloane.

For art fans, the Museum of Art and Handover Gifts Museum of Macao, where auspicious gifts featuring the nation's unique regional artistic styles are on display, should definitely be on the must-see list.

Wine lovers, meanwhile, can learn about the viniculture of Portugal - with a free tasting - at the Wine Museum before going next door to take in some legendary, and beautiful, machinery at the Grand Prix Museum in the Tourism Activities Centre.

If you love seafaring, you wouldn't want to miss the Maritime Museum, which features the traditions and the way of life of the fishermen of Macao and South China and retells the adventures of the early Portuguese explorers.

The Communications Museum, which celebrated its second anniversary in March, recounts the telecommunications history of Macao through simple interactive programs that make learning fun.

"Museums and Universal Heritage" is the theme of International Museum Day this year, and the message is pertinent: "We are all responsible for universal heritage". To mark International Museum Day on May 18, most museums are admission-free, and a variety of celebrations and promotional activities are on offer to the public from May 18 to 20. Discounts are also available via the popular Museum Pass, which permits one entry within five days to the Grand Prix Museum, Wine Museum, Maritime Museum, Lin Zexu Museum, Macao Museum of Art, and Macao Museum.

(HK Edition 05/16/2008 page2)