林茂塘 Doca do Lam Mau

Who remembers the lively timber yards of Macau’s past? Doca do Lam Mau whispers tales of these bustling times. Right here, at Doca do Lam Mau, once stood a bustling timber yard, a testament to Macau’s rich maritime history. Doca do Lam Mau takes its name from the prominent timber merchant, Lam Mau, whose operations dominated the area during the late 19th century. Around 1863, during the Tongzhi Emperor’s reign, the Portuguese administration expanded Macau’s borders, reclaiming land from the sea at Sha Kok Tou. This expansion created the waterfront street where Lam Mau’s timber yard thrived. The large timber yard, used for storage and trade, quickly became a landmark. The surrounding streets took on the name “Lam Mau,” forever etching his name onto Macau’s map. Although historical accounts differ on the exact establishment of Doca do Lam Mau, its impact on the area is undeniable. Some sources place its origins during the Tongzhi era, while others suggest construction began in September 1884. Regardless of the precise date, Doca do Lam Mau soon became a hub of activity, attracting pirates and smugglers seeking refuge within its hidden alcoves. By the late Qing dynasty, revolutionaries would also utilize the area, storing firearms in the timber stacks before smuggling them to Guangzhou. Doca do Lam Mau later transformed into a vibrant community with a pigsty and later a gambling house. The house catered to Tanka people (boat dwellers), fishermen, dockworkers, and market vendors. Tragically, fires ravaged the area throughout the 1960s and 70s. The most devastating fire, occurring on October 22, 1979, destroyed nearly 1,000 wooden houses, leaving more than 6,000 residents homeless. Another fire in June 1988 further impacted the community. Following these disasters, the government reclaimed the land, resettling the remaining residents and transforming Doca do Lam Mau. The waterfront was filled in, new roads opened up, and residential areas emerged. In 1998, the Macau Water Sports Activities Centre, part of the Doca do Lam Mau, hosted the rowing events for the Asian Games, marking a new chapter in its history. Today, while the timber yards and wooden houses are gone, their memory echoes at Doca do Lam Mau, a testament to Macau’s ever-evolving story.