Taipa, an island situated between the Macau Peninsula and Coloane Island, is a great place for relaxation. There are lots of spots with a long historical background and beautiful scenery, making Taipa a great place for photography.

"Comparing with Macau, Taipa is much less crowded and relaxing. I like taking photos here, because there are so many beautiful heritage sites with attractive scenery. With the great atmosphere there, I can always take good photos," Cheong Iao Chong, a 23-year-old big fan of photography, said. He goes to Taipa for photography about twice a month.

The Taipa Houses is one of the most famous spots for photographers. Many tourists come here to take photos as well. The landscape is one of the eight magnificent views of Macau, which merges the classified area composed of the Taipa Houses-Museum, the Carmo Church, the Carmo Library and the two little gardens. The Taipa Houses Museum, which includes five typical green houses with Macanese architectural characteristics of Portuguese Matrix, is considered one of the cultural relics and heritages of the island. The beautiful and romantic Portuguese-style buildings also attract many couples to take wedding photos.

Yi Long, a former firecracker factory, is also a famous spot which once flourished in Taipa. The place, with a history of more than eight decades, becomes a hot site for war game players now. The factory covers an area of about 30,000 square meters, with more than 30 workshops inside. The factory features a tidy, neat and simple architectural structure. Trapezoidal walls of four meters high are built around each workshop. Many photographers like taking photos and exploring the history of firecrackers in ruins.

The Ferris Wheel of Golden Crown China Hotel is another popular spot for photographers. Many photographers like to photograph there at nighttime when green or sometimes multicolored lighting is on. This Ferris Wheel neither functions nor is open to people. It is said that it was built due to the fengshui reason as it is intended to be used by ghosts instead of human beings. The hotel is built near a large cemetery, it is believed that the Ferris Wheel was built so that the ghosts would not disturb hotel occupants. At night, it then adds a mysterious touch to the Ferris Wheel and attracts many photographers.

Apart from beautiful sceneries, some photographers are engaged in portraits. Rua da Cunha, which is popularly known as "Food Street" in Taipa, is very famous and often crowded. There are many restaurants located here and also in nearby streets, serving Portuguese, Macanese, Indian, Italian, and different kinds of Chinese cuisine and even African food. It is a perfect place to capture people's acts and expressions easily, such as hungry faces, big smiling, leisurely posture and so on. "After the shooting, I always enjoy myself in those restaurants," Cheong added.

Taipa is really a great place for relaxation. It is an attractive place for almost everyone, photographers, visitors, locals, and so on. Get your cameras ready, and take a wonderful journey to Taipa this weekend!