The century-old Government Headquarters will once again be opened to the public, on 22-23 October, between 9 am and 6 pm. This will be the 11th time Macao residents and visitors alike could tour the palatial structure since opening it to the public was made an annual event in 2001. Located on Avenida Praia Grande, the Macao SAR Government Headquarters covers an area of 7,700 square metres and comprises three buildings with a total floor area of 10,000 square metres. The front block houses the Office of the Chief Executive, conference room for the Executive Council, the Lotus Room, a multi-purpose conference room and a press room, as well as the Green Room, the Yellow Room and the Blue Room, which are usually used for meetings and banquets. Guided tours of the ground floor of Government Headquarters and an exhibition of old photographs of Macao will be on display. The Public Security Police Band and students from School of Music and School of Dance of the Macao Conservatory will perform for visitors, with the Macau Government Tourist Office setting up a booth there to offer mementos to visitors. Macao Post will set up a special counter in front of the Headquarters to provide hand-back service: a set of commemorative envelope and postcard will also be issued. Visitors may also see Hydrangea and Anthurium at a flower exhibition organised by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau. Special traffic arrangements will be introduced on Travessa do Paiva during the two days. Built in 1849, the structure was bought by the then Portuguese administration and served as the official residence and offices of the Macao governors. After the establishment of the Macao SAR Government in 1999, the mansion was renovated, with its original architectural style and features remaining largely intact. For more details, please visit www2.gcs.gov.mo/openday or www.gov.mo.
