Macau Steps Gingerly Beyond Gaming

By Patricia Earnest

Macau is fast becoming one of Asia’s hottest places to visit. Now under the control of China, as a Special Administration Region of the People’s Republic of China, the former Portuguese colony is fast re-inventing itself and visitors are flocking in. Casinos are springing up like mushrooms, low-level seas around the islands are being filled in to create more real estate and travel to Macau has never been easier for the North American visitor.

Macau was once a sleepy set of three islands, less than an hour south by ferry from booming Hong Kong. The three islands of Macau are Macau, the largest and commercial center, connected by bridges to Taipa, which now connects with a reclaimed land bridge (Cotai) to Colonal. Off Taipa, to the east and connected with another bridge, is the new airport, also on reclaimed land.
Macau sits at the mouth of the Pearl River, downstream from the former Canton, now Guangzhou. The name comes from the words A Ma Gao in honor of A-Ma, the Goddess of Seafarers. The Portuguese kept this name which became modified to Macau. A statue to this goddess stands on Avenue Dr. Sun Yat Sen and her temple on Barra Square consists of four temples representing Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and folk beliefs.

Beyond Casino Culture
Certainly with 26 casinos and last year’s revenues exceeding those of Las Vegas, Macau has earned this reputation for gaming, but there is much more to do.
Visitors can easily get over and back from Hong Kong in one day and many visitors do just this, but to see everything, to really get the feel of the place, a visit of three to four days would be advised. Visitors find in Macau a calmer experience, much like Hong Kong in the old days. The delightful mix of Cantonese Chinese and Portuguese offers restaurants, sights and accommodations reflecting this mix of cultures.
The mix of European and Asian cultures produced both temples and churches representing the diverse faiths of the former inhabitants. A must-see in addition to the A-Ma temple is the ruins of St. Paul’s in the heart of the old city. St. Paul’s are the ruins of the first Jesuit church and college in China. Steps in front of the façade lead down into the old city with fine antique, souvenir and boutique-type stores on narrow cobble-stoned and tiled streets.

Among the outstanding museums are the Maritime Museum on the Inner Harbor, which documents the links between Portugal and China; the Macau Museum showing early history and daily life; the Taipa Houses Museum with five houses showcasing Macanese architectural styles; and the Pawnshop Museum in a restored 100-year-old house built to withstand “fire, flood and robbers” with granite walls and barred windows. Tired of being inside, then consider visiting the Macau Tower to get your adrenaline pumping. If you venture to the edge of the enclosed deck you walk on thick glass. Not for the faint-hearted is a walk around the outside of the tower on the Skywalk (approx. $27.50 on weekdays, $15 on weekends and holidays). Even more of a thrill is the jump—from the outer ring, with suitable gear of course.

Let the Games Continue
The newest addition to the gaming field is the just-opened, Venetian www.venetianmacao.com. In addition to the gaming areas, visitors can stroll down elegant halls, stay overnight in the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, can watch the Clock Tower striking the hour and see the Bridge of Sighs.
The 600-room Wynn Macau, which opened two years ago, is a 20-story, curved building facing the water with views of Taipa and glistening fountains in its entryway. Visit www.wynnmacau.com
Touted as the tallest building on Taipa Island and first opened in 2007, the Crown Macau offers gaming tables and machines, a 38-story hotel with 256 rooms and restaurants. www.crown-macau.com
The Rocks Hotel is located minutes from the high speed ferry landing from Hong Kong and heliport. It’s a luxury Victorian-style boutique hotel with 72 rooms and suites and all amenities, such as broadband Internet access, and business center. Room rates range $235-$832.Visit www.rockshotel.com.mo
From the U.S., visitors can take Cathay Pacific Airlines, Singapore Airlines or Thai Airlines from New York’s and Los Angeles International to Hong Kong. From there, take the high speed ferry to Macau.

Call Macau Government Tourist Office, 310-545-3464; 646-227-0690; www.macautourism.gov.mo

July 2007 Feature

Macau Takes a Bow

By Eleanor M. Wilson

One look at today’s Macau, jutting into the South China Sea, and its past reputation as a warren of dimly lit streets lined with bars and backroom gambling haunts quickly disappears. Instead, sleek buildings and flower-lined boulevards lead to modern highway bridges soaring over the Pearl River, connecting Macau’s two islands to the city proper.
Macau is in the middle of a gigantic building boom, as Las Vegas barons and others cash in on the onslaught of new visitors from mainland China. Familiar names: the Sands, claiming to have the largest casino in the world, and Steve Wynn’s MGM Grande, opens next; hot on its heels, the Venetian with 3,000 rooms. But Macau has much more than casinos.
Macau retains vestiges of its Portuguese heritage. Dom Pedro V Theatre, built in 1858 to honor Portugal’s king, is classic Portuguese architecture. In Senado Square, Portugal’s beautiful mosaic tilework forms a wave pattern on the pavement, and lines the entrance to A-Ma Temple (above). The temple existed even before the city as its many pavilions are dedicated to many Chinese religions in a single complex.
Attractions
Macau SAR (Special Administrative Region) still holds historic reminders of its Portuguese heritage. Dom Pedro V Theatre, built in 1858 to honor Portugal’s king, is classic Portuguese architecture. In Senado Square, Portugal’s beautiful mosaic tilework forms a wave pattern on the pavement, and lines the entrance to A-Ma Temple. The temple existed even before the city and credits its uniqueness to the many pavilions dedicated to Chinese religions—all in a single complex. A white marble statue of the goddess A-Ma rises above a cultural village on the island of Coloane, her pointed hat and shawl visible for miles.
Narrow cobblestone streets are treasure chests for shoppers, offering silks, ceramics and souvenirs along with noodle shops and Portuguese pork dishes.
Macau Tower provides a modern touch with its revolving restaurant, skyline views and bungee jumping from the observation deck.
Chinese tradition reigns at Macau Tea Culture House in Lou Lim Ieoc Garden. The Macau Maritime Museum, located by the piers and styled like a ship, details Macau’s trade importance. Museums are plentiful, from wine to art, or Macau’s annual Grand Prix races.
Accommodations
The current 12,954 hotel room inventory in 51 hotels will jump to 58 hotels with 40,466 rooms in just a few years and there are half a dozen hotel plans on the drawing board at this moment.
The Mandarin Oriental Macau draws upscale clients. Situated five minutes from the ferry terminal on Avenida de Amizade, it’s convenient to all the top sites, and close to the gigantic new Fisherman’s Wharf theme park. The ground floor arcade offers the best in shopping: Cartier, Luis Vuitton, Hugo Boss. Rooms range in price from $260 to $1,080 with all the amenities for business or leisure travelers, from hi-speed hookups to I-Pod docking stations. www.mandarinoriental.com
The Westin Resort Macau’s countryside location set between Hac Sa Beach at one end and Macau Golf Course at the other makes it ideal for business and leisure clients alike. Additionally, the airport is 10 minutes away. Westin’s 308 rooms and suites provide a long list of convenient amenities, from DVD movie choices to the Heavenly Bed. Large balconies overlook the gardens and South China Sea. www.westin.com/macau
Getting There
Singapore Airlines from New York and the west coast to Singapore, transferring to subsidiary Tiger Airways. Eva Airlines from the west coast via Taipei. Flights to Hong Kong can connect by helicopter (about $170 one way) or by TurboJet Sea Express directly from Hong Kong airport or from Hong Kong Central (about $25-$30). If using the ferry, make very specific arrangements with the hotel to be sure clients are met at the extremely busy terminal.
For information on Macau, e-mail the Macau Government Tourist Office,at mgto@macautourism.gov.mo; www.macautourism.gov.mo