The Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre is not merely a unique construction but one of the most important landmarks and tourist attractions in Macao. Every year, it welcomes an average of some 100,000 visitors and tourists. To ensure service quality and to maintain the facilities in good condition, the Macao SAR Government began to undertake large-scale repair and maintenance works in October last year. After six months, the work is now nearly finished and the new-look Centre is scheduled to re-open to the public on Saturday 12th May. Some new facilities will gradually open following the re-opening.

Located along the bay for more than a decade, the Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre is inevitably affected by various environmental factors. Water once leaked from both the inner and outer walls of the arched base, resulting in mildew, and some facilities fell into disrepair. Furthermore, the large bronze Kun Iam statue was coated in dust having stood erect in the air for many years, and appeared old and lack-lustre, affecting not only its appearance but its public opening.

Following a comprehensive evaluation, the government decided to undertake large-scale repair and maintenance works, renewing both interior and exterior facilities. Closed since October for such works, comprehensive repair and maintenance of the bronze statue, maintenance and renewal of the interior and exterior structure and various facilities inside the arched base under the statue plus cleaning of the statue were instigated in order to ensure the safety and appearance of the construction.

Themed around religion, the upper level of the arched base is a showroom, whose painted dome is painted with the characters and divine words of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, etc. More pleasing to the eye following the repairs, a richer religious ambience is now evident. Souvenirs and publications of the Cultural Affairs Bureau and Macao Museum are available for sale at the small sales counter located on this floor, while the lower level is a space for contemplation, enabling visitors to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. To the side is a small library themed around religion, exhibiting books about religion and various kinds of philosophy.

During the repair and maintenance work, the air-conditioning system of the whole construction was renewed. More bookshelves have been added to the library so that more books on religion and philosophy are available for reading and research purposes. The new sound system covers the entire construction and the causeway: pleasant music - coupled with the beautiful surrounding bay environment - projects a quiet and peaceful sensation, encouraging people to linger.

The Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre opens daily from 10:00am to 6:00pm, and is closed on Fridays. For more information about opening hours, please call (853) 2835 7911 during office hours or visit the Macao Museum website at www.macaumuseum.gov.mo or Cultural Affairs Bureau at www.icm.gov.mo.