Sleepy little Macau is blooming!
Macau is a city with two faces: the fortresses, churches and food of former colonial masters Portugal speak to a uniquely Mediterranean style on the China coast. And yet Macau is also the self-styled Las Vegas of the East. The last few years have seen once-sleepy little Macau booming.
These days Macau is wooing commerce and tourism like never before. The enclave’s long tradition of gambling is being taken to new extremes.While the rush in construction of hotels and mega-casinos means there’s plenty of places to try your hand with Lady Luck, many of Macau’s pleasures are relaxed and laidback, architectural and atmospheric. Portuguese influence is everywhere: narrow cobbled alleys, grand baroque churches, balconied colonial mansions, open plazas and Mediterranean-style cafes filled with palm-readers, caged birds and pipe-smokers. The peninsula and the islands of Coloane and Taipa constitute a colourful palette of pastels and ordered greenery.
Places of Interest
A-Ma Temple – already existed before the city of Macau came into being. The various pavilions dedicated to the worship of different deities in a single complex make A-Ma Temple an exemplary representation of Chinese culture inspired by Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and muliple folk beliefs.
St. Joseph’s Seminary and Church – Established in 1728, the old Seminary, together with St. Pual’s College was the principal base for the missionary work implemented in China, Japan and around the region.
Senado Square – Macau’s urban centre popular venue for public events and celebrations. The square is surrounded by pastel-coloured neo-classical uildings, creating a consistent and harmonious Mediterranean atmosphere. Ruins of St. Puals is just 5 mins walk from Senado Square. Cab fare from Venetian to Senado Square cost around HK$25.
Ruins of St. Paul’s (listed on World Heritage List) – The ruins of St. Paul’s refer to the facade of what was originally the Church of Mater Dei built in 1602-1640, destroyed by fire in 1835.
Along side with Ruins of St. Paul’s is the Na Tcha Temple
and Section of the Old City Walls which are both listed as World Heritage too.
Mount Fortress – Built in 1617, this was the city’s principal military defence structure equipped with cannons, military barracks, wells and an arsenal. Open from 7am to 7pm. Free entrance.
Macau Tower - 338m tall while the observation tower is at 223m above ground.
Watch out! Sections of the lounge are fitted with glass floor letting you see the ground beneath your feet – 223m away! Step on them if you’re brave enough and feel like you’re walking on air.
Want more excitment? Try AJ Hackett — a name synonymous with bungy jumping — Skywalk X is a new adventure that takes the hair-raising fun of Skywalk to its limit!
Fisherman’s Wharf – Macau’s first ever themed entertainment attraction with an area of 111,5000 sq meter combining entertainment, retail, food, hotel, marina, convention and casino in one place. Fisherman’s Wharf is just 5 mins walk from Macau Ferry Terminal.
The Taipa Houses Meseum – Located at Avenida da Praia, Taipa, are five restored houses built in 1921 now used for as a Museum. This space attempts to recreate a traditional Macanese family home fully decorated with furniture, utensils and ornaments from the beginning of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century. Entrance Fee: MOP$5 per person.
Gray Line Travel Agency (email: grayline@macau.ctm.net) offers various half day tour on Macau City, Taipa and Coloane.
Accomodation
The behemoth has 3,000 rooms, a fleet of singing gondoliers along its shop-lines canals (350 retails shops), and includes what seems to be a full-scale version of Venice’s landmark Bridge of Sighs. Its grand opening was held last year August.
Day & Night view of Venetian
Huge variety of international food available at Venetian’s Food Court. Prices start from HK$30.
Lobby Area
Bella Suite
Casino area at far centre
Singing Godonliers
Free shuttle bus available from Venetian to Sands, Macau Ferry Terminal and Airport at 15mins interval. And if you wish to do casino hoping, free shuttle buses are available at Macau Ferry Terminal to all casino on Macau City Island.
Local Delights
Snack foods from street vendors are usually cheap. Must try Macau’s beef/pork jerky, almond pastries, cakes and portugese desserts along Rua do Cunha, Taipa.
Almond Cookies
Crispy Egg Roll
Beef/Pork Jerky
Ginger Sweets
Peanut Candy
Portuguese Puddings
Portuguese Cakes & Desserts
Crab Porridge & Squid Balls
Curry Fishball
Highly recommended to try Spicy Noodle from Chua Lam Gourmet Kitchen, Largo Do Senade 18E20, 2 Andar, Macau.
Also, make sure you try the famous two-layer milk curd, located in Senado Square (look out for a pink building on your left).
And most importantly, if you come to Macau, you simply cannot miss the Macau pork chop bun! You can find this delicacy at many famous restaurants and delis, but I highly recommend you to try the pork chop bun at Cafe Tai Lei Loi Kei along Largo Governador Tamagnini Barbosal, Taipa.
