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A Brief History
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(Picture and information courtesy of MACAU GOVERNMENT TOURIST OFFICE)
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Fishermen from Fujian and farmers from Guangdong were the first known settlers in Macau, when it was known as Ou Mun, or "trading gate", because of its location at the mouth of the Pearl River downstream from Guangzhou (Canton). During ancient times port city was part of the Silk Road with ships loading here with silk for Rome.
Even after China ceased to be a world trade centre, Guangzhou prospered from seaborne business with the countries of Southeast Asia, so the local entrepreneurs welcomed the arrival of Portuguese merchant-explorers. They followed in the wake of Jorge Alvares, who landed in southern China in 1513, and set about finding suitable trading posts.
In the early 1550s the Portuguese reached Ou Mun, which the locals also called A Ma Gao, "place of A Ma", in honour of the Goddess of Seafarers, whose temple stood at the entrance to the sheltered Inner Harbour. The Portuguese adopted the name, which gradually changes into the name Macau, and with the permission of Guangdong's mandarins, established a city that within a short time had become a major entrepot for trade between China, Japan, India and Europe.
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Gaming facilities, Greenery & Glitz in a cultural mix.
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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. While the profileration of 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.
Things to do and see in Macau:
Whether you are looking for razzle-dazzle or quiet indulgence, Macau can keep you engaged for several days with shopping, sightseeing, spa treatments, golf, bungee-jumping, and more. Here are our picks when you find yourself spoiled for choice:
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The Ruins of St. Paul's & Museum of Sacred Art:
This is the remaining facade of the Jesuit church built in the 17th century on one of Macau's seven hills. The church was destroyed in a fire in 1835 but the wall and the steps leading up to it that remain are an impressive sight for visitors – young and old alike.
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Monte Fort and the Macau Museum:
Take the escalator ride up which starts just east of the Ruins of St. Paul's. The fort was built by the Jesuits between 1617 and 1626, provides an excellent lookout over the city and is accessible by the old gateway. Today, it houses the museum of Macau, which occupies the foundations and platform of the fort.
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Statue of A-Ma:
Close to the world's tallest statue of the goddess A-Ma (also known as Tian Hou), which stands on a 170-metre high peak on a mountaintop on Macau's Coloane Island, is a 7,000-square-meter Qing dynasty-style complex that honors one of Macau's most beloved deities.
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Senado Square & St. Dominic's Church:
A favorite of tourists and locals alike, this busy square has been the cultural hub of Macau for centuries. The square is paved with wave-patterned stone mosaics and surrounded by a number of beautiful and historically important buildings. St. Dominic’s Church, known for its large altar, many statues and decorated ceiling, stands on one end of the square.
Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre:
Macau Tower is the 10th highest in the world at 338 metres. An elegant construction offering magnificent panoramic views all over Macau. Try the "Skywalking" around the outside of the tower. Next to the Tower is the Entertainment Centre.
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Spas -- Get relaxed :
Macau has some world-class spas offering a wide range of treatments, and the list is growing quickly with every new resort that opens. This is a place to get pampered and rejuvenated.
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Fisherman's Wharf:
Set on the pier of Macau's harbour, this complex consists of over 100 stores and restaurants. Each built in the styles of different world seaports (Cape Town, Amsterdam, Lisbon, etc.) as well as historical and legendary sites (Aladdin's Fort, a Roman Amphitheatre, a volcano, etc.). There are even a number of theme park-like rides for children.
World Class Acts
More than 80 million people around the world have thrilled to the amazing performances of Cirque du Soleil at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, an internationally acclaimed Canadian group who are now ready to unveil their latest show at their new home in Macau.
The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel, Asia's largest integrated resort, is the flagship project in The Cotai Strip™. With 2,874 luxurious suites (each over 70 sqm), The Venetian® Macao also features an upscale and unique entertainment experience, over 300 prestigious boutiques, 35 world-class restaurants, Asia's premier spa retreat, first-class entertainment or sporting events in 15,000-seat The Venetian® Arena and 1,800-seat The Venetian® Theater.
The convention and exhibition facilities consist of a 75,000-sqm exhibition space and 25,000-sqm convention and meeting halls, with a 6,500-sqm pillarless ballroom and 108 flexible meeting rooms.
City of Dreams and Franco Dragone Entertainment Group will open the world's largest water-based permanent show uniquely created for Macau in early 2010 at Melco Crown's flagship casino-hotel City of Dreams complex in Cotai.
The theatrical extravaganza, "The House of Dancing Water," will be housed in a 2,000-seat state-of-the-art Theater of Dreams designed by Pei Partnership. The show, an acrobatics love story, will be staged in a 3.7 million gallons pool which is equivalent to more than five Olympic-sized swimming pools, and will be one of the largest water-based productions in the world.
The water-themed show, which will feature a largely international cast of 77 performers from 20 countries, represents a US$250 million commitment by COD parent company Melco Crown with the aim of diversifying Macau's gaming industry.
The show will be directed by Italian Franco Dragone, who has extensive experience working on major acrobatics and circus-arts shows in Las Vegas and Europe. Its storyline tells of Macau's discovery after a Portuguese shipwreck. The hero, a young stowaway, and his valet, the only survivors, will encounter a strange and wonderful world - The Chinese civilization.
Melco Crown Co-Chairman Lawrence Ho described the show as having "strong oriental and Asian Chinese themes," adding, "It is a show that has been developed specifically for this market and for this property."
According to Mr. Ho, "The production underscores the bright prospects that non-gaming entertainment has in Macau."
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Macau's Casino :
If you arrive by ferry, you will see the Sands’ giant logo as you alight at the harbour. The casino is near to the ferry terminal and Fisherman’s Wharf. For a more traditional Macau gaming facilities institution, try the legendary Macau landmark, Lisboa Casino.
The Wynn Casino has introduced Macau's avid gamers to a whole new level of extravagance, being the first fully integrated resort to debut in the territory. StarWorld is the tallest casino hotel in Macau and its contemporary design and modern facilities make it a shinning landmark towering over the energized downtown Macau.
*Note that the legal gambling age in Macau is 18 years and photography is prohibited inside the casinos
Kindly refer to our Tour Consultant for any enquires.
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