Introduction of Macau

Macau is one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China, the other being Hong Kong. Macau lies on the western side of the Pearl River Delta across from Hong-Kong which is to the east, bordering Guangdong province to the north and facing the South China Sea to the east and south.

The territory's economy is heavily dependent on gambling and tourism, but also includes manufacturing.

Macau is a former Portuguese colony, and is both the first and last European colony in China. Portuguese traders first settled in Macau in the 16th century and subsequently administered the region until the handover on 20 December 1999. The Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration and the Basic Law of Macau stipulate that Macau operates with a high degree of autonomy until at least 2049, fifty years after the transfer. Macau was first lent by the Chinese empire as an trading port in 16th century, and had to administer the city under Chinese authority and sovereignty. In 1887, Macau became a colony of the Portuguese empire and its sovereignty transferred to the Portuguese.

Under the policy of "one country, two systems", the PRC's Central People's Government is responsible for the territory's defense and foreign affairs, while Macau maintains its own legal system, police force, monetary system, customs policy, and immigration policy. Macau participates in many international organizations and events that do not require members to possess national sovereignty. According to The World Factbook, Macau has the second highest life expectancy in the world.

Below are the attractive places in Macau:

Macau Tower

Macau Tower is an important landmark of Macau. It was designed by Gordon Moller, a famous architect of New Zealand. The construction was finished in December, 2001, at the 2nd year anniversary of Macau's return. The tower was the eighth high tower in Asia and the tenth in the world by the year of its completion. Besides, Macau Tower is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers. It is such a charming place attracting more than 1 million people to visit in a year in different ways.

Sightseeing Observation
Macau Tower is 338 meters (about 1,108 feet) above the ground. The highest observation level is the Outdoor Observation Deck on Level 61, with a height of 223 meters (about 732 feet). Walking around the Observation Deck, You can have a panoramic view of the Peal River Delta, Macau Peninsula and Taipa, Coloane islands. The Observation Lounge is on Level 58. It is a fascinating place to see the sunset in the morning or see the spectacular night-view of Macau. Looking down, you can see the East and west Mangyang Hill, Casino Lisboa and even the outlying island of Hong Kong in sunny days.

Observation Deck (Level 58 Indoor Observation Lounge + Level 61 Outdoor Observation Deck)

Admission Fee:

MOP120 for adult /MOP 60 for the seniors (65 years old and above) and children (3-11 years old)

Operate:

10am-9pm (Monday---Friday)
9am-9pm (on weekends and public holidays)

Access:

Take Bus 9A, 18 or 21 and get off at Macau Tower; Free shuttle bus offered by City of Dreams passes Macau Tower.

Macau Tower Level:
Toys ''R'' Us (Level 2):

The store is a special gift for the young. You can buy international renowned brand fancy toys, clothing and so on.

Sa Sa (Shop 17, Lower Ground Level):

It is the largest cosmetics store in Asia. You can find more than 400 international brands and about 15,000 items including fragrance, skin care, hair products, and health supplements.  

Other stores:

The World Vision - glasses (Shop 20A, Lower Ground Level). Tonino Lamborghini - Italian men's wear (Shop 21, Lower Ground Level). Oriental Watch Company - different brands watches (Shop 16, Lower Ground Level).

You may already feel excited, but wait for a moment because there are more funs here that beyond your expectation.

Adventures:
Mast Climb:

Standing at a height of 100 meters (about 328 feet), you can climb up to the top of the tower. At that time, you are at the highest point of Macau it will be another your special memory because what you see at here about Macau is a complete different scene.  

Bungee Jump:

 Maybe you have played bungee jump several times, but this is the highest one in the world. Jumping up and down about 223 meters (about 732 feet), you have the chance to renew the Guinness record.   

Skywalk X (on Level 61):

Walking on the out rim 223 meters (about 732 feet) above the ground, and no handrail is provided. This is another special experience in Macau Tower.

Senado Square

Senado Square (Largo do Senado) is a public square in Macau. It is located in the central area of the Macau Peninsula. Covering an area of 3,700 square meters (4,425 square yards), this is one of the four largest squares in Macau; the others being Praça do Centro Cultural, Praça do Lago Sai Van and Praça do Tap Seac. In 2005 the Senado Square was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List as it forms part of the Historic Centre of Macau.

There are shopping centers and traditional Chinese restaurants around the square. Fashion clothes, famous snacks and the scenic environment make it a famous attraction in Macau. Firework displays, lion and dragon dances are usually held on special days such as the Chinese Spring Festival and Christmas. One can go and enjoy those activities.

Other Attractions:
Around the Senado Square, there are other attractions. At the end of the paved road, there is the St. Domingo's Church. On the third floor of the church there is a museum of paintings, sculptures and liturgical ornaments that illustrate the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Asia. Walk to north of the church and you will arrive at the Ruínas de S. Paulo (Ruins of St. Paul). This is the most famous landmark in Macau. Right at the east of the Ruínas de S. Paulo is the Museu de Macau (Macau Museum), in which historical relics of Macau are exhibited. Walk to the southeast along the Av. De Almeida Ribeiro (San Ma Lo) from the square, and you will find the Grand Lisboa, which is a casino hotel and is known for its magnificence.

Access: Take the No. 3, 3A, 4, 8A, 10, 10A, 11, 18, 19, 21A, 26A, 33 buses to the Av. De Almeida Ribeiro (San Ma Lo).

Macau Fisherman's Wharf

Near Macau Maritime Terminal, Macao Fisherman's Wharf is Macau's first theme park as well as a shopping center modeled on Euramerican fisherman's wharfs. Macau Fisherman's Wharf has an area of over 111,500 square meters (about 28 acres), of which 40 percent is reclaimed from the sea. It was invested in by Ho Hung San (One of the top 10 billionaires in the Hong Kong-Macau region through running his gambling business) and Chow Kam Fai (a Macau entrepreneur in the tourism, entertainment and gambling industries). 

With different characteristics, Macau Fisherman's Wharf can be divided into three main sections: Dynasty Wharf, East Meets West and Legend Wharf. Dynasty Wharf is composed of many Chinese towers, which are built in the imitation of the Tang-style. Macau East Meets West mixes together oriental traditions and features of western design, including a 40-metre (about 131 feet) tall man-made volcano, waterfalls, architectures of Greece, an ancient battleship, an Arabian children's play area, a Roman Amphitheatre, a characteristic shopping mall and exhibition facilities. Legend Wharf is equipped with all kinds of recreational facilities, such as a High-tech Games Center, Water Performance Arena and a Video Games Center.

Macau Fisherman's Wharf opens 24 hours, with no admission fee.

Access: Take bus no. 1A,3,3A,8,10,10A,10B,17,28A,28B,28BX,28C,32, get off at Macau Fisherman's Wharf. 

St. Domingo's Church

Located right in the heart of Senado Square of Macau, St. Domingo's Church was constructed by the Spanish Dominican friars who worshipped St. Domingo and Lady Fatima (a Portuguese goddess) in the mid 17th century. St. Domingo's Church was refurbished in 1828 and expanded to the large scale that it represents today. This attraction was placed on the World Heritage List in July 2005, and as such also became the 31st world heritage site of China.

The church has three halls: the deep and wide main hall is separated from the body of the church by a solid brick-built arch. The chapiter of the church is divided into three layers from upper to lower and each layer is partitioned from door and window by columns of different styles. The top of the church is composed of triangular fins. This is Baroque style of seventeenth century churches which was influenced by both Portuguese and Spanish styles. The ceiling inside the church is covered with decorative patterns amongst which a crown pattern is significant just above the main altar. The main altar is decorated with white plaster reliefs and corkscrew pillars. On the top of the main altar, there is an icon of Lady Fatima which is a Portuguese artistic printing of seventeenth century. Fatima represents The Virgin Mary, and is usually known more informally in Portuguese as Jacinta. The statues of St. Dominic and Sena's Saint Catherine are standing on both sides of the Madonna. Two small altars are set to both sides of the church. The small altar on the left is used to worship Lady Fatima who is the people's favorite goddess. The Festival of Lady Fatima's statue traveling the streets starts from this church on May 13th every year. 

St. Domingo's Church annually becomes one of the performing grounds of the annual 'Macau International Music Festival'. Now, most of the concerts are held at this church which is usually open in the afternoon. Visitors can first press the doorbell and then enter the church through the east side door. Then passing across a long aisle, you will come into the interior of the church. Behind the main church building, there is a small museum containing famous marbles and legacies from St. Paul's Cathedral.

Operate: 10am-6pm

Access: Bus Route 2, 3, 3A, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 10A, 11, 18, 19, 21, 21A, 26, 26A, 33

Monte Fort

Of all the forts in Macau, the Monte Fort is the oldest, lying to the east of the Ruins of St. Paul's. Built in 1616, it originally belonged to St. Paul's Church and was used to defend the church from the pirates. It later became solely a military fort.

The fort is quadrilateral with bastions at each corner and about 100 meters (328 feet) in circumference. Barracks, cisterns and storehouses were the main buildings of the fort. An ancient tower situated here was one of the sites of the Society of Jesus. With cannons on the four sides, the fort was strongly fortified. Though the cannons have lost their military function, they still remain.

In 1838, a fire destroyed the fort buildings as well as the Jesuit College and St. Paul's Church. Only see the fore wall of the church now remains and is known as the Ruins of St. Paul's.

In 1965, a single-storey barrack in South European style was transformed into the Macau Meteorological Bureau. To its right hangs an ancient bell made by an expert in casting cannons. In 1998, the Macau Museum was established here, detailing the development and the customs of Macau.

The landscape surrounding the fort is quite charming. Standing on the platform, visitors have an excellent view across Macau, making the Monte Fort a very popular attraction for both tourists and natives alike.

Operate:

6am-7pm (May - Sep.)
7am-6pm (Oct. - the next Apr.)

Access: Bus No.8A, 17, 18, 19, 26