Macau Lifestyle
  • What's On

    Categories

    • Events Calendar
    • Macau Weekend
    • Monthly Hotlist
    • Giveaways
    • Entertainment

    Recent Stories

    Hong Kung Market 2020
    Weekender: Entering March With Food, Spa & Cultural Delights
    Macau Weekend
    Bar Stories Chapter 49 Bar in Hand on the Counter
    March in Macau: Dining, Arts, Culture & Family Events
    Monthly Hotlist
    Paulaner Wirtshaus Macau view from street
    Win a Bavarian Gastronomic Experience at Paulaner Wirtshaus Macau!
    Giveaways
  • Dining

    Categories

    • Restaurants
    • Local Eats
    • Cafes
    • Bars
    • Chef Spotlight

    Recent Stories

    The Manor Stories of the Sea Seventh Chapter Sea Urchin, fusilli Gentile red mullet bottarga, arugula ginger emulsion
    Where to Have the Best Pasta in Macau
    Dining
    Champagne tea set The St Regis Bar
    100 Years Afternoon Tea at The St. Regis Bar Macao: British Traditions & New York High Life
    Bars
    caffe b italian restaurant macau lunch dishes
    New Set Menu at Caffé B Macau: What’s for Lunch?
    Dining
  • Lifestyle

    Categories

    • Wellness
    • Weddings
    • Family
    • People

    Recent Stories

    Deolinda da Conceicao Macanese Writer
    Deolinda da Conceição: A 19th Century Influencer
    Culture
    Sheraton Fitness
    Best Hotel Gym Memberships in Macau
    Wellness
    Cartier LOVE necklace_18K pink gold
    Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for the Women in Your Life
    Lifestyle
  • Culture

    Categories

    • Arts
    • Heritage & History
    • Architecture
    • Artist Spotlight
    • Local Knowledge

    Recent Stories

    Deolinda da Conceicao Macanese Writer
    Deolinda da Conceição: A 19th Century Influencer
    Culture
    Artist Wu Yi – Tang Contemporary gallery- Macau Lifestyle WY1
    Wu Yi: A Painter’s Painter
    Artist Spotlight
    Cheong Kin Man Nighttime Facing the Camera
    Cheong Kin Man: The Story Listener in Search of New Narratives
    Artist Spotlight
  • Style

    Categories

    • Fashion
    • Jewelry & Watches
    • Beauty
    • Home

    Recent Stories

    Macau Lifestyle Morpheus Spa_Couple Spa Suite_02
    Best Facial Treatments in Macau
    Beauty
    CHLOE Mini Daria bag in Muted Brown
    Christmas Gift Ideas for the Women in Your Life
    Lifestyle
    Amalfi Coast coffee table books
    Inspiring Coffee Table Books for Your Home
    Home
  • Travel

    Categories

    • Macau
    • China
    • Asia
    • Oceania
    • Europe

    Recent Stories

    hong kong junk Day Trips Macau
    Best Day Trips from Macau
    Asia
    macau day trips ocean park hong kong
    Best Day Trips for the Whole Family
    Family
    kun iam ecumenic centre macau
    Weekend Walking Tour of Macau Peninsula’s Alternative Cultural Sites
    Culture
  • Hong Kong

    Categories

    • What's On
    • Dining
    • Things to Do
    • Hotels

    Recent Stories

    Artist Wu Yi – Tang Contemporary gallery- Macau Lifestyle WY1
    Wu Yi: A Painter’s Painter
    Artist Spotlight
    St. Regis Hong Kong, Premier Harbour Room 08
    Best Staycation Packages in Hong Kong
    Hong Kong
    Kerry Hotel Hong Kong
    Wake Up Here: Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong
    Hong Kong
  • Events
  • City Guide
  • 繁中
Heritage
18 July, 2019
by Raquel Dias

Lou Lim Ieoc: The Garden With a Troubled History

lou lim ieoc garden entrance

Lou Lim Ieoc Garden is a unique Suzhou-style garden, filled with beautiful greenery and tai-chi enthusiasts. It still feels like an oasis in a city where it is sometimes difficult to find remainders of traditional Chinese architecture. Entrance to the garden is free and there’s never-ending adventure to be had with its twists, turns, and small caves. Come and marvel at the beautiful red tiles of the main pavilion or at the extraordinary mixture of European and classic Chinese elements on its yellow facade.

Lou Lim Ieoc garden

Parallel Realities

In Chinese, the garden is called Lou Kau (or Lou Cau) Garden and had an interesting past. It’s as if we live in parallel realities because the garden we know and love was actually linked to gaming, revolutions, and misfortune! All of this, connected to a Chinese merchant called Lou Kau.

Lou Kau was once one of the most relevant figures of Macau. A 19th-century Chinese merchant, he would grow strong enough to earn the title of Mandarin. He was allowed to transform a city he chose to adopt as his own. Shrewd enough to have made his fortune selling pork, Lou would eventually own the first gaming monopoly in the city. These used to consist mostly of Fan Tan, opium dens, and other activities legal in the 19th century Macau. From then on, Lou gave as much to the city as the city had given to him. He was one of the founders of the Tung Sin Tong charity, still in existence. Additionally, he commissioned the beautiful Lou Kao Mansion, co-founded the Kiang Wu hospital, and personally invited the renowned Sun-Yat-Sen, later the father of the Chinese Republic, to work there as a doctor.

The King of Portugal granted Lou Kau Portuguese nationality–at the time, an unheard-of accomplishment. He was also in a special position to negotiate with Canton. This made him a good bridge between the two main communities in Macau, further elevating his status.

lou lim ieoc garden pagoda

Suzhou Style

In 1906, he built a beautiful garden inspired by the Suzhou style. A lover of botany and a self-learned man, Lou Kau wanted to have a space dedicated to the principles of Taoism. These gardens were retreats where powerful men could find enough peace to create, think, and grow, far away from petty human interactions.

lou lim ieoc garden path

Lou Lim Ieoc Garden’s visitors will find all the main elements of a traditional Chinese garden. There’s a main pavilion, rocks (representing the mountains), water, and lush greenery. All of these play a part in representing natural harmony and the correct flow of energy or “qi”. What makes Lou Lim Ieoc unique is the European details fused with Chinese architecture. The Corinthian columns of the yellow pavilion and its western façade heavily contrast with its neighboring pagoda. The bridge of the nine curves was made specifically so that bad spirits could not cross it as they only walk in straight lines.

Lou Lim Ieok Garden1

Unfortunate Endings

Regrettably, Lou was born in unstable times. With revolution brewing both in Portugal and China, business deals were dangerous. He invested most of his fortune to attain a gaming concession in Canton for a popular lottery that would last for eight years. However, after a short period, the man in charge of awarding him the license was sacked. His substitute forbade all types of games of fortune, leaving Lou nearly destitute.

After a series of misfortunes that probably led to Lou’s early death at the age of 59 by suicide, the family business, as well as the garden, were left in the care of his eldest son, Lou Lim Ieoc. He shared his father’s love for nature and invested considerably in the garden’s expansion and upkeep. Tragedy struck again and soon, Lou Lim Ieoc too faced ruin. This forced his family to sell part of his beloved garden to Pui Cheng School after his untimely death.

lou lim ieoc garden bridge

It was not until 1973 that the government decided to buy the property and renovate it. It is said that many of the workers believed that the space was haunted and refused to participate in its clean up. Luckily for us all, a year later, Lou Lim Ieoc Garden, despite its grueling history, opened to the public. This allowed everyone access to one of the most special retreats in the city. It is open until 9:00pm every night, perfect for a nightly stroll with your beau.


Lou Lim Ieoc Garden No. 10, Estrada de Adolfo Loureiro, Macau, www.macaotourism.gov.mo

Tags

  • garden
  • gardens
  • Heritage
  • History
  • history of Macau
  • Lou Lim Ieoc
  • macau

Related Posts

Joao Botas
Heritage

Preserving the History of Macau with João Botas

Patio das Seis Casas Wide View Horizontal Macau Lifestyle
Culture

Roam Around Macau’s Fascinating Alleyways

Santa Sancha Palace Macau Seen from Below Wide Macau Lifestyle
Culture

Santa Sancha Palace: Abode of Barons, Governors & Chief Executives

St-Augustine-Church
Heritage

A Guide to St. Augustine’s Square

Trending Posts

Paulaner Wirtshaus Macau view from street
Giveaways

Win a Bavarian Gastronomic Experience at Paulaner Wirtshaus Macau!

Cafes, Dining

Cool Cafes in Taipa

Culture, Heritage

Historic Women in Macau: Empowering Communities Across Time

Mandarin Oriental, Macau_The Mandarin Cake Shop_Signature Cake_Pink Bloom
Cafes, Dining, Hotels

That Takes the Cake! The Mandarin Cake Shop’s Cakes for Every Taste

  • Editor's Picks

    Paulaner Wirtshaus Macau view from street Giveaways

    Win a Bavarian Gastronomic Experience at Paulaner Wirtshaus Macau!

    We’ve partnered with Taipa Village Macau and Paulaner Wirtshaus Macau to give away vouchers to enjoy the best of Bavarian gastronomy in Macau!

    Featured image: Chinese depiction of a woman from atlantic countries circa 18th century Source: Review of Culture Culture

    Historic Women in Macau: Empowering Communities Across Time

    We all have an idea of what being a woman during the earlier centuries meant. These prominent women in Macau proved that their gender wasn’t a hindrance.

    LondonerMainLR Hotels

    Unveiling The Londoner Macao: The Newest Jewel in Cotai’s Crown

    The Londoner Macao is a unique addition to the vibrant skyline of Macau meticulously designed, making it a true celebration of timeless British design.

    Cuppa Coffee Macau Dining

    Good Morning Macau: Best Cafes for Breakfast

    As breakfast is the most important meal of the day, here’re our favorite cafes in Macau to head to for a hearty breakfast!

    Mandarin Oriental, Macau_The Mandarin Cake Shop_Signature Cake_Pink Bloom Cafes

    That Takes the Cake! The Mandarin Cake Shop’s Cakes for Every Taste

    The Mandarin Cake Shop’s cakes will make your heart beat faster and complement any ocassion! Don’t believe us? Try it for yourself!

    hiro ramen venetian macau lifestyle Dining

    Get Warm: Best Ramen Spots in Taipa

    We have composed a list of the best ramen spots in Taipa to warm your heart and soul, the Japanese way, with a hot bowl of ramen!

    Sichuan Moon Chinese Restaurant Macau Dining

    The Most Outstanding Chinese Restaurants in Macau

    We’ve dedicated this page to the best restaurants serving Chinese food that entices even the most discerning palates from all over the world.

    Cotai Picture Wide Macau Lifestyle Macau

    10 Free Things to Do in Macau

    Glamorous and buzzing Macau has a lot to offer even for those on a shoe-string budget. Find out the coolest and free things to do in Macau.

    Coloane hiking trail Culture

    Guide to Coloane’s Hiking Trails

    Coloane is home to most of the hiking trails in town. We walked them all and came up with the most comprehensive Coloane hiking trails guide.

    African Chicken from Riquexo Macau Lifestyle Dining

    Macanese Craze: Where to Get African Chicken in Macau

    African chicken is a truly Macanese dish, even though it doesn’t sound so. We’ve toured Macau looking for the best and here they are!

    caffe b italian restaurant macau lunch dishes Dining

    New Set Menu at Caffé B Macau: What’s for Lunch?

    To treat its patrons and attract new guests, our favorite casual Italian restaurant, Caffe B Macau, recently launched new lunch sets. From Mediterranean classics to chef’s innovative twists, the new set menus have all the chances to become your favorite middle-of-the-day meal in town. One winter afternoon, we headed to Nam Van Lake to visit Caffe B and see what’s up for lunch. 

    AJ Hackett Macau Skywalk giveaway Macau Lifestyle Local Knowledge

    Everything You Need to Do in Macau at Least Once

    Take a dive into this article and find out what to do to spend your precious time in Macau and maximize it to enjoy the city at its fullest!

    ramen pro macau lifestyle Dining

    Delicious Ramen Spots in Macau

    A hot bowl of Japanese ramen would surely satisfy any noodle craving. Slurp away at these ramen places in Macau!

    Collage of Calcada do Amparo Area Wall Paintings Macau Lifestyle Arts

    Colorful Macau: Best Street Art Hotspots

    Looking for something different to discover in the city? Explore the lesser travelled paths of Macau to find stunning local street art.

    The Moss Natural Life - handmade soaps sustainable shopping macau Wellness

    Sustainable Shopping in Macau

    If you are looking for places to shop for packaging-free, eco-friendly and sustainable items in Macau, here is a good list to embark on your journey.

    quarter square coffee on table exterior Dining

    The Ultimate Guide to Macau’s Best Coffee Shops

    Coffee makes the world go round and even if you don’t fancy it, it definitely brings people together so here are the best coffee shops in Macau!

    The Cheesecake Factory Macao pancakes Cafes

    Great Places for Pancakes in Macau

    Looking for pancake places around Macau? Hunting for butter-browned, soft and fluffy pancakes? We think you’ll be satisfied with our list!

    10-things-to-do-in-coloane-chapel-francis-xavier Culture

    10 Beautiful Catholic Churches in Macau

    Other than the glitz of the casinos and hotels, the beautiful Catholic churches show a different, historical side of Macau.

    Zics Macau Brand Source Facebook page Fashion

    Macau Fashion Brands: Celebrate Local Design

    Discover some Macau fashion brands that are making waves due to the fabulous designers behind each of their fresh and genius creations.

    The Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge Gin Collection Bars

    Best Places for Happy Hour in Macau

    After a long day at work, you need a relaxing place to unwind. We have the best places in Macau for happy hour deals on drinks and snacks!

    Macau Youth Street Dance Association single shot x Macau Lifestyle Arts

    Macau Youth Street Dance Association: Jarvis Mo on the Local Dance Scene

    We speak to Jarvis Mo, the president of the Macau Youth Street Dance Association, about the street dance culture in Macau, and more!

    Waffles with Coffee at Rooftop Macau Exterior Macau Lifestyle Cafes

    Best Waffle Spots in Macau

    Best shared with your friends or perhaps on a first date, here are the best waffle places in Macau for your next catch up session.

    Mighty Green Featured Cintia and Guilherme Lifestyle

    Mighty Greens: The Powerful Micro-Greens Making Their Way Across Macau Restaurants

    Guilherme Martins and Cintia Milk, behind Mighty Greens has an indoor farm in Macau producing nutritious tiny plants called “micro-greens”.

    Maria do Leste Bloody Mary from St Regis Macao Updated Photo 2020 Bars

    Shaken or Stirred: Macau’s Best Cocktails

    The world of mixology often proves to be as diverse and surprising as the one of gastronomy. Exercising talent and immense creativity, Macau’s bartenders keep creating signature cocktails that impress us with both flavors and presentation. If you are tired and bored with mojitos and negronis and need tips on what else to try, check out our guide to Macau’s best cocktails. 

    Macau Lifestyle Morpheus Spa_Couple Spa Suite_02 Beauty

    Best Facial Treatments in Macau

    With so many world-class spas in Macau, we recommend that you indulge in a facial treatment that will make you feel good at the start of 2021!

  • About
  • The Team
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us

COPYRIGHT © 2021 • MACAU LIFESTYLE

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Receive Macau Events Agenda, the Hottest Giveaway Offers and the Latest Article Updates!

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok