travel
5 things you must do in Macau
No one visits Macau without seeing its most iconic heritage and historic church, the Ruins of St Paul. – The Malaysian Insider pic, September 14, 2015.Macau has long established itself as the Monte Carlo of the Orient but the small Special Administrative Region of China has so much more to offer visitors than its famed 24-hour casinos, their glittering lights and upscale retail outlets.
From the Macau Peninsula in the north to the southern islands of Taipa and Coloane, with the reclaimed Cotai Strip in the middle, Macau has attractions that offer thrills as extreme as bungee jumping, food for the soul, unforgettable live performances and lovable pandas.
As the first and last European colony of China from the 16th century to December 1999, Macau also has Unesco-inscribed historic sites and flavours that offer its visitors a journey into the past when East met West.
Here are five places without baccarat tables and slot machines that offer many fun activities for travellers looking for a great Macanese holiday.
1. Historic centre of Macau and Taipa village
Inscribed as a Unesco world heritage site 10 years ago, the heritage centre has more than 20 locations in two zones that uniquely assimilated the Portuguese and Chinese cultures of Macau. The co-existence of the two cultures can be seen today in the squares, the architectural designs of buildings, places of worship and streetscapes.
In Zone One between Mount Hill and Barra Hill, one will find the more than 500-year-old A-Ma Temple, Mandarin’s House, Moorish Barracks, the world renowned Ruins of St Paul, Monte Forte, and many heritage churches.
First constructed in 1580, St Paul's Church was damaged twice in fires in 1595 and 1601. Rebuilding started in 1602 and when the church was finished in 1637, it was the biggest Catholic Church in East Asia at that time. But the church was destroyed in a fire again during a typhoon in January 1835, leaving only its facade and stone steps and it was never rebuilt.
Tour guide Danny leong Chi Wah, who can recite the history of Macau and the background stories behind the heritage sites from the top of his head, had an interesting story to share about the fires that destroyed the site.
He said according to local legend, the child deity Na Tcha (Nezha), whose weapons are a fire-tipped spear and wind fire wheels, was unhappy that the Catholic church was grander than his temple so he sent fires to destroy it.
In Zone Two is the Guia Fortress – a 17th-century colonial military fort, chapel and lighthouse complex in the St Lazarus parish.
Down south in Taipa, visitors will find picturesque locations of traditional Chinese shops, colonial villas, churches, temples and restaurants like the 1921 Taipa Houses-Museum on Avenida da Praia.
Strolling around Taipa Village is fun because visitors will find themselves lost in old narrow streets and alleys where old houses and local businesses are located, like those on Rua Correia da Silva.
Then proceed to Rua do Cunha and Rua do Regedor nearby for food. The two streets are lined by little restaurants selling local Chinese and Macanese food, like the Portuguese egg tarts, Serradura (sawdust pudding) and almond cookies.
If there is time to spare when going on the heritage trail by foot, it is good to wonder into the narrow alleys in the city and see how the locals live and do business away from all the hotels, casinos and tourist spots. A detour like that will give visitors a true feel of Macau. – The Malaysian Insider pic, September 14, 2015.2. House of Dancing Water, at City of Dreams, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai
Presented by City of Dreams and the Franco Dragone Entertainment Group, the HK$2 billion production is the world's largest water extravaganza since it opened in 2010, offering performances by dancers, gymnasts and acrobats, and dazzling displays of water and special effects.
They tell an epic love story of a hero surviving trials after trials to rescue his damsel in distress from her stepmother the Dark Queen. The hero is aided by a fisherman who had fallen into a strange whirlpool and travelled back in time in the first scene.
It is so impressive to see the stage transforming between scenes into a solid ground of changing colours and motives, fountains and a pool deep enough for performers to dive from the roof and for huge props – a ship and a Chinese pavilion – to emerge from its depths.
Ticket prices range from HK$406 (about RM220) to HK$980 (about RM530) depending on age group and seat location.
The acrobats climbing and swinging from the masts of a ship rising from a pool in the state-of-the-art theatre in the House of Dancing Water. – The Malaysian Insider pic, September 14, 2015.
3. Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre, Largo da Torre de Macau
Macau Tower offers a spectacular view of Macau, and if you're lucky, of the occasional fireworks display. – The Malaysian Insider pic, September 14, 2015.Go up the 338m Macau Tower for a great view of the Pearl River Delta while standing 223m above ground. One can see as far as 55km from the viewing deck on a clear day. At night, the tower also offers a spectacular view of the city and its glittering lights.
The tower is also a great place to watch the annual Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, which is known to be one of the best in the world. It usually takes place on the Macau Tower shorefront every September.
On normal days, visitors dine at Macau's highest restaurant 360° Cafe on top of the building.
The tower opens daily from 10am to 9am (weekdays) and 9am to 9pm (weekends). For details, visit www.macautower.com.mo.
4. Pier16 Macau 3D World, at Ponte 16 Resort, Pier 16, Inner Harbour, Rua Do Visconde Paco De Arcos
The new Pier16 Macau 3D World is where visitors get to have some fun posing with 3D paintings and snap some creative photos to remember their holiday. – The Malaysian Insider pic, September 14, 2015.Just opened in May this year, it is Macau’s first 3D Museum and the world’s first museum with 4D paintings.
The new attraction measuring about 18,000 sq ft offers visitors a new sensory experience through 4D elements such as lighting effects, analogue sound and props.
The museum has seven themed zones – MJ in 3D, 3D Jurassic World, 3D Macau Journey, Touch of French, Romantic Story, Chinese Culture and 3D Interactive Experience Zone –offering more than 100 photography points for visitors to pose and be part of the art pieces for their holiday albums.
Tickets are priced at MOP188 (about RM102) per adult. For children, aged 3 to 11, and senior citizens aged 65 and above, tickets are priced at MOP120 (about RM65).
It opens daily from 10am to 8pm. For details, visit www.pier16macau3dw.com.
5. Macau Giant Panda Pavilion, at Seac Pai Van Park, Avenida de Seac Pai Van, Coloane
The Giant Panda Pavilion is a favourite family tourist destination in Macau as parents bring their kids to look at the two giant pandas, like Kai Kai. – The Malaysian Insider pic, September 14, 2015.Visit the pandas Kai Kai and Yalin at their home – a 3,000 sq m hi-tech facility located against a hill in Coloane, south of Taipa.
Loved as national treasures, the pandas are so cute despite their huge size and even adults will squeal with delight whenever the bears wander closer to the glass that separate their enclosures.
The facility at Seac Pai Van Park is also home to other adorable creatures like ring-tailed lemurs, monkeys and birds.
The admission fee is only at MOP10 (about RM5.40), and free for kids under 12 and seniors above 65. Proceeds from ticket sales go to education, research and projects supporting the conservation of giant pandas.
The pavilion opens daily except on Mondays. It will be closed on Tuesday instead if a public holiday falls on Monday. Opening hours are from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. For more details, check out www.macaupanda.org.mo.
*The writer's recent trip to Macau and stay at the Sheraton Macau Hotel - the world's largest Sheraton and Macau's largest hotel - were sponsored by the Macau Government Tourism Office. Air Asia is the only airline that flies direct daily to Macau from Kuala Lumpur. There are 17 flights to Macau each week out of KLIA2.– September 14, 2015.
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