Sat, Dec 15, 2001 page19

• Macau: A city that does not sleep

  THE DOOR OF THE BAY Today, Macau is still a mixture of the Chinese and Portuguese cultures harmoniously maintained and developed by its peoples that makes this territory a unique cultural entity. Macau is also proud of a fact that has no similarity in the region -- it has not known war in almost five centuries

  • MACAU GOVERNMENT TOURIST OFFICE
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  The International Travel Fair from Dec 15-18 will see the welcome return of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), while Air Macau will also participate with a booth at number 13. Free travel information on Macau will be provided, and visitors will receive a gift and lucky draw ticket. Because Taiwan is an important market for the MGTO, almost 20 Macau travel agencies will be represented.

  In addition, a cultural dancing group from Macau invited by the MGTO is set to heat up the atmosphere with performances at the MGTO booth, distinguishable by the pink-colored European style building that echoes the exhibition's romantic Club Military of Macau theme.

  The Macau cultural dancing group will perform twice a day from 15th to 17th in front of Macau tourism's booth, as well as one final show on the morning of the 18th. The group, comprised of over 100 amateur dancers from a variety of professions, has presented 250 different shows in many countries, and continues to strengthen its already enviable reputation.

  Highlight performances include the Asia Pacific Tourism Association Conference in Hong Kong, the Macau Arts Festival, and in Japan at the 450th anniversary of Portuguese arrival in Japan.

  The increasing number of visitors who visit Macau led to the establishment of the Macau Government Tourist Office in Taiwan back in 1992. According to Pauline Leung, the marketing representative of MGTO in Taiwan, last year over 1.3 million Taiwanese tourists visited Macau and this year it expects an increase of 15 percent to total 1.5 million. Statistics compiled by MGTO showed that Hong Kong ranked first in tourist arrivals in Macau with 4 million, followed by China with 2.1 million and Taiwan with 1.1 million.

  Leung remarked, Macau has always displayed an atmosphere, which made it different from the surrounding areas. Today, it is still this mixture of the Chinese and Portuguese cultures harmoniously maintained and developed by its peoples that makes this Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China a specific cultural entity. Macau is also proud of a fact, which has no similarity in the region: it has not known war in almost five centuries of history.

  Flying to Macau from Taiwan takes just one and a half hours, and Taiwan tourists don't need a visa if returning within 30 days. With a valid ticket and passport the only requirements, Macau is a convenient destination for people to enjoy. The intriguing beauty of Macau is worth spending some time to investigate.

  The influence of former Portuguese rule is evident everywhere on the island, not only in the architecture, but also in the variety of cuisine available. Club Military of Macau, located in the Avenida da Praia Grande, is a fine example, with its European style architecture telling history dating back to 1870.

  Though most assume the eye-catching pink landmark is solely for military purposes, it is also a famous restaurant open to Club members and the public. Club Military of Macau offers two stories of Mediterranean atmosphere, with many materials indeed directly imported from Portugal.

  Why don't you just take some time to visit this beautiful place?

  Macau of tiny dimensions possesses the highest population rate in the world but the per capita income is one of the highest in Asia. There is a cosmopolitan atmosphere, tolerant in practices and living experience, where as always, Asia meets Europe and where the Mediterranean cultures live side by side with the Chinese one.

  Cultural activities

  Most cultural activities in Macau are regularly exhibited in the several galleries and exhibition rooms, which are available in Macau. There visitors will surely have the opportunity to contact with the Macanese artistic expression, showing the singularity and the symbiosis of the western and eastern cultures.

  Major festivals

  Throughout the year there are some festivals celebrated in Macau, with cultural, religious or simply entertainment intentions, such as the Arts Festival, the International Music Festival, the Fireworks Festival, the Macau Grand Prix (this year was the 48th Grand Prix and the 15th for motorcycles), the annual Chinese New Year festivities, Dragon Boat Festival and various international sports events.

  Dining

  If you are looking for different types of food, Macau is surely a unique place for that. In fact, gastronomy is rich and varied, including Portuguese, Macanese, Cantonese, from Shanghai, European, Japanese and Thai cuisine, among others.

  Visitors to Macau must not miss the delicious Portuguese cuisine. Though in Macau, you will imagine yourself in Portugal. Macanese cuisine is a wise combination of Portuguese, African, Indian, Malay and Chinese cuisines. It was the Portuguese navigators who picked up spices along their trading routes and thereby influencing Macanese food.

  Shopping

  Macau is fairly considered an ideal place for shopping, as there are an abundance of goods for sale at bargain prices, and shopping can be fun and economical. Luxury items are cheaper here than in most other cities in the region.

  Since Macau is a free port, products are not subject to taxes or duties. Macau visitors mostly look for jewelry items (mainly gold and pearls), Chinese antiques, glassware and porcelain, electrical appliances, cameras, watches, woolen clothing and textiles in general.

  Other activities

  Beside hotel swimming polls there is a number of infrastructures in Macau and in the islands, which allow appropriate and hygienic swimming. These include the Macau Municipal Swimming Pool, Carmo swimming pool, Hac Sa beach and Cheoc Van Beach.

  In the Guia Hill (Macau), in the Taipa Grande Hill (Taipa) and also in the Coloane Hills there are treks equipped with maintenance circuits for athletes to practice. They are safe routes, which offer enchanting views over the city, the islands and the Pearl River and wonderful opportunities for nature and photography lovers.

  At the end of the causeway which links Taipa to Coloane there is a kart circuit, which is visited by locals and foreigners at weekends, either for practicing or just observing the machines.

  Horse riders can always make a pleasant visit to the Taipa hippodrome in order to watch the horse races in the "Macau Jockey Club." Horse riding can be practiced in Coloane both in the riding school or trips around the island.

  For golf enthusiasts, the Macau Golf and Country Club features one of the most beautiful golf courses in Asia and is open to locals and foreigners.

  Places of interest

  Sun Yat Sen Park: This is a large park made in homage to the founder of the Chinese Republic, whose statute stands at the entrance. The park is equipped with children's playgrounds, a pond with a small cascade, multi-purpose playgrounds, a swimming pool, some Chinese gardens.

  Lin Fong Temple: Initially built in 1592, this Chinese temple is one of the most important in Macau, for it was here that the mandarins visiting Macau usually stayed overnight, due to its border proximity. Pay especial attention to the rich decoration and carving bas-relief of the fa蓷de and also in the interior. It is the only existing Taoist temple in Macau.

  Lin ZeXu Museum: It is a thematic museum on the action of the imperial emissary Lin, when he was sent in the 1830's to Guangdong province in order to halt the opium trade in Canton and in the Pearl River Delta. His action provoked the confrontation with the Western powers in the First Opium War.

  Kun Iam Temple: It is the biggest temple in Macau and it is in fact a set of small contiguous buildings, the oldest dating from the 13th century. Some of the altars are very important and lavishly decorated as the one for Lord Buddha with three statues of the Master in golden lac; another one is the master in a "nirvana" position (the "Illuminated Buddha") symbolically seated on a lotus flower. The third altar with Kin Iam, the goddess of Mercy is represented in gala dresses.
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