 Macau
City Guide
Introduction |
Attractions |
Entertainment & Eating Out |
Shopping |
Getting from A to B |
Events
Introduction
Situated on the Chinese coast at the entrance to the Pearl River, tiny Macau comprises three areas, namely Macau Peninsula, Taipa Island and Coloane Island.
Formerly a Portuguese enclave, Macau finally reverted to Chinese rule in 1999. However, historic European influences are very obvious: charming colonial buildings and churches intermingle with local Chinese architecture making for an interesting mix. Macau's bi-cultural heritage is evident everywhere, creating a unique, laid back atmosphere.
The economy is highly dependent on tourist-related gambling. During weekends and bank holidays thousands of Hong Kong residents take the short ferry ride over, nudging up hotel prices.
Note: Since the handover, Macau's sometimes violent triad gangs have been fairly quiet.
Macau is a very pleasant break from the pace of Hong Kong but remains more of a side trip rather than a destination. A weekend is ample time to cover everything you need to see.
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Attractions
Most attractions are located on the Macau Peninsula. St. Paul's ruins, overlooking the city centre, are perhaps the most impressive of all the attractions and have become the symbol of Macau. All that is left of the once spectacular cathedral is the intricate stone faade at the top of a grand flight of steps. The 17th century ruins are located a short walk from the Monte Fort.
The crumbling Monte Fort was built in the same period and commands a fine view of the city. Several imposing cannons still remain. Part of the fort houses the informative Macau Museum, recently completed and displaying an interesting assortment of Chinese and Portuguese artifacts outlining the territory's pre-colonial and colonial history.
The Guia Fortress and Lighthouse dating from 1638 is the highest vantage point on the peninsula and provides the best panoramic views. A cable car operates from the Flora Gardens to the historic fort, which also has a simple chapel and a coffee bar.
In the southwestern tip of the Macau Peninsula is the Maritime Museum, which is well worth a visit. This well-presented and comprehensive museum features the maritime traditions of Macau and beyond. It also arranges 30 minute trips on a motorised junk to the inner/outer harbour every day except Tuesday.
Opposite the Maritime Museum is the attractive A-Ma Temple, named after the beautiful young Sea Goddess who according to legend saved a ship in a storm. When the Portuguese landed opposite they named the enclave A-Ma-Gao in her honour. The best example of local Chinese temples, A-Ma consists of ornate prayer rooms, altars and rock gardens. Parts of the structure are actually up to 600 years old.
Presently under construction and expected to open around March 2001 is the Macau Tower which will dominate the local skyline. The tower is designed to attract tourists and will apparently feature an entertainment centre and a revolving restaurant.
Over the causeway lies the quieter island of Coloane where Macau's two beaches are located. Near the Westin Resort is Hac Sa, a popular although fairly unsightly black sand beach. The adjacent Hac Sa Complex provides a good range of sporting activities from windsurfing to mini-golf.
Located in a peaceful bay is the smaller, more attractive Cheoc Van Beach complete with a public open-air swimming pool, The Macau Yacht Club and a couple of cosy restaurants.
Few people come to Macau for hiking but there are one or two pleasant trails on Coloane. Energetic walkers will appreciate the arduous Coloane Trail culminating in the ascent to the top of Alto de Coloane. A gentler and less sweaty alternative would be a leisurely stroll around the Dam Circuit, which encircles a small lake above Hac Sa Beach.
The Tourist Offices in Largo do Senado (Senate Square) and at the ferry terminal can provide both maps and useful information.
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Entertainment and Eating Out
There are plenty of decent Chinese, Portuguese, Western and Macanese restaurants to chose from. Macanese food is a successful hybrid of Portuguese and Cantonese cuisine and is well worth a try. Local bakeries produce some of Asia's best bread and there's a good choice of well-priced Portuguese wines.
Hawkers dish out tasty snacks along Rua da Escola Commercial near the Hotel Lisboa and cheap meals are available from outdoor Chinese restaurants on the streets near the floating casino.
The Docks near the A-Ma Temple is a trendy spot offering an alternative to some of the more dubious nightlife. This stretch is home to some of the best dining and drinking in Macau. A relaxed
Mediterranean atmosphere awaits along with multinational fare and several
lively bars.
Macau is a gambling mecca and draws many purely for its host of casinos, notably those at the Lisboa and Kingsway Hotels and the floating Macau Palace moored in the Outer Harbour. Casinos operate around the clock, are open to adult foreign visitors and are frantic, bustling and sometimes seedy.
The Macau Jockey Club racetrack is a highly popular venue on Taipa Island. Meetings are held every weekend, during major festivals and holidays and sometimes on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Free shuttle buses from Hotel Lisboa and the ferry pier take eager punters to the course.
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Shopping
Being duty free and devoid of sales tax, items such as jewellery and antiques can be extremely good value. Pawnshops are common and seemingly endless furniture shops on the Macau Peninsula offer a wide selection of traditional oriental furniture at bargain prices rivaling those of nearby Hong Kong.
Street stalls selling cheap clothing are found in Largo do Senado (Senate Square).
Note: Hard bargaining for all of the above is an absolute must.
The main shopping area is centred along Avenida Almeida Ribeiro and the streets leading from it to St. Pauls. In among the more recognisable stores selling brand name fashions are herbal, pawn and antiques shops.
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Getting From A to B
Getting around is straightforward; mini-buses and taxis are everywhere and can easily be flagged down. Taxis are probably the best mode of transport for visitors and often wait around hotels. They are cheap, fast and above all metered.
Popular with tourists are the pedicabs located at the ferry terminal and outside the Hotel Lisboa. It's advisable to agree on a rate with the driver before setting out and to bear in mind that pedaling up the steep hills that feature most of the historical sites is impractical.
Hiring a car or a small jeep, locally known as a Moke, can be an enjoyable way to explore Macau but is totally unnecessary if your stay is restricted to the major attractions on the peninsula.
Access to Guangdong Province in Mainland China is via the Portas do Cerco (Barrier Gate). Hong Kong can be reached in an hour by sea on the 24 hour Jetfoil service from the Macau Ferry Terminal. In addition, there are regular ferries and turbo-cats. For those on a greater budget, helicopters provide a scenic, rapid alternative.
The International Airport is situated on reclaimed land off Taipa. An airport bus leaves every 15 minutes and passes major hotels, central Macau and the ferry terminal on its way to the Barrier Gate.
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Events
Chinese New Year takes place at the end of January or the beginning of February. Traditional celebrations mark the Lunar New Year. Most shops and businesses close during this time - dragon dances, firework displays and deafening firecrackers make it a colourful and busy time to visit, albeit very noisy.
The Dragon Boat Festival occurs in early June to commemorate the Chinese hero Ch'u Yuen who killed himself by jumping into a river in China as a protest against the corrupt government. Rowing teams eagerly compete against each other in dragon boats and hanging festive rice dumplings tempt passers by from restaurant windows.
Mid Autumn Festival Commemorates a revolt against the Mongols when rebellion was spread by messages hidden inside moon cakes. Crowds flock to high places throughout the islands with lanterns and moon cakes to watch the moon, often until dawn. The cakes are very sweet and solid with an egg yolk in the centre and are somewhat of an acquired taste.
The Macau Grand Prix takes place every November attracting vast numbers of overseas visitors and can be watched from many hotels as the race winds through Macau's urban roads.
Note: Visitors should book hotels well in advance - this is Macau's biggest event of the year.
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