Lin Zexu Memorial Museum and the adjacent Lin Fung Temple are right opposite Macau Canidrome, at the foot of Mong-Há Hill.
This relatively small museum commemorates the visit of the imperial commissioner Lin Zexu to Macau in 1839 (In the time of Emperor Dao Guang) and although it is not among the most famous of Macau attractions, it is certainly worth a visit, as it gives the visitor a glimpse to one of modern history's most captivating times.
Lin Zexu (1785 - 1850), also known as Lin Tse-hsu, was a Chinese scholar and official during the Qing dynasty. He is best remembered for his commendable conduct and, especially, for his uncompromising stand in the struggle against opium smuggling by the British into Guangzhou, a struggle that has triggered the outbreak of the First Opium War, between 1839 and 1842.
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Known to be a clean handed official, with high integrity and moral values, Lin was sent to Guangdong to put an end to the opium trade, and as a part of his efforts, he managed confiscate and destroy more than 20,000 chests of the narcotic drug.
He later banned European ships from entering the port and wrote an extraordinary "memorial" to Queen Victoria of Britain, warning her that China was adopting a stricter policy towards everyone, Chinese or foreign, who brought opium into China. His memorial expressed a desire that Victoria would act "in accordance with decent feeling" and support his efforts.
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The memorial was never delivered to the queen, although it was published in The Times.
Following their defeat in the First Opium War, the Chinese developed hostility and suspicious towards the west and those bitter feelings are still there, even today.
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A small insight about hypocrisy and double standards...
The fact that opium was illegal in Britain at the beginning of the 19th century, did not stop British politicians from pushing big quantities of this narcotic drug to China...
Desperate to compensate for the unbalanced trade in tea, the Brits and their allies were determined to go "as low as it takes" in order to keep the business going...
In 1839, Lin Zexu, a senior official of the Qing government, wrote an open letter to Queen Victoria urging her to act "in accordance with decent feeling" and put an end to the opium trade... The letter was never delivered to the queen, and although it was later published in The Times, it was "too little too late" to stop the upcoming Opium War...
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The documents of this museum consist mostly of photographs, bearing witness to that highly tense period in the history of modern China. Other exhibits include replicas of boats, opium smoking instruments and calligraphy.
The museum is open daily (except Monday), 9 am - 5 pm
Admission fees are MOP$ 5 per person
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Adjacent to the museum is the Lin Fung Temple. Alongside, A-Ma temple and Kun Iam temple, this is one of Macau's three most ancient and most visited temples.
Lin Fung Temple was originally built in 1592 and is dedicated to the Chinese goddess of mercy, Kun Iam. Although other deities are represented here too.
The beautiful façade features plenty of artistically made porcelain figures, depicting stories from the Chinese mythology... Inside, the entire complex is comprised of a cluster of shrines. In front of the temple, there is a spacious square surrounded by stone enclosures, where ancient trees grow. Behind the temple there is a small ornamental garden with pavilions and flowers and, in the temple itself there is a lotus-filled pond.
How to get there ? Lin Zexu Memorial Museum and Lin Fung Temple are a short walk from either the Canidrome, or the "Red Market". Take a look at our Macau Bus Guide to see how you can travel to the Canidrome, or to the "Red Market" from every point around Macau.
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Other places of interest around Lin Zexu Memorial Museum
Ox Warehouse
Mong-Há Fort and Park
The Red Market
The "Three Lamps District"
Canidrome - Greyhound racing
Lin Zexu Memorial Museum is part of our suggested walking-tour:
North Macau, Red Market and Mong Ha
