Lyna Mohamad in Macau
Macau is a city of two faces. The fortresses, churches and food of its former colonial master, Portugal, speak of a uniquely Mediterranean influenced style on the China coast. On the other hand, Macau is the self-styled Las Vegas of the east.
And while that comparison might sound overblown, it is not.
During the past few years, charismatic-but-sleepy little Macau has experienced the sort of boom usually associated with cities like booming Shanghai.
Rather than the skyscrapers and office towers, the construction in Macau is all about Vegas-style mega-casinos and hotels.
Casinos are legal in Macau, while in China and nearby Hong Kong, they’re not. Macau is a big casino market.
However, there is much more to Macau than gambling. The Portuguese influence is everywhere: cobbled back streets, baroque churches, stone fortresses, art deco buildings and restful parks and gardens.
The fusion of East and West in 30 buildings and squares collectively in the historic centre in Macau was recognised in 2005 by Unesco as a World Heritage Site.
While about 95 per cent of the residents are Chinese, the remainder of one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities is mostly made up of Portuguese and Macaunese people with mixed Portuguese, Chinese and/or African blood.
Shopping is no less than in any other places, from popular shopping centres, to bargain markets but one thing noticeable is that street shops seems to be at ease operating through the wee hours of the morning as well as money changers, opening up to late hours. It somehow shows the crime rate here is low.
Largo do Senado, or Senate Square, has been the urban centre for Macau for centuries and now accommodates several eateries, shops as well as a bargain market. Today, it is the centre of attraction for throngs of tourists and visitors to Macau.
With an area paved with a wave-like pattern that is a traditional style Portuguese pavement, a number of heritage buildings also surround the square including the Post Office, the Holy House of Mercy and St Dominic’s Church.
Across the street is the former senate building for the colony of Macau, the Leal Senado.
More than just a heritage square, it is also the place to get some of the best food in Macau. Largo do Senado is one of the places in the Historic Centre of Macau inscribed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site in 2005, making Macau the 31st site in China to be accorded that recognition.
The Venetian Hotel plays a crucial role in making Macau Asia’s most exciting entertainment destination and pre-eminent convention and exhibition venue. Nowhere in Asia can be found such a rare combination of facilities, attractions and amenities than at this 3,000-suite flagship property.
Making its debut on the Cotai Strip of Macau on August 28,2007, this fully integrated resort hotel features 3,000 all-suite guestrooms, one million square feet of Grand Canal shops, a 15,000-seat Cotai Strip Cotai Arena, 1.2 million square feet of convention and meeting facilities and a purposely built theatre for ZAIA, the new resident show from the world renowned Cirque du Soleil.
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