Macau Tour offers us a window to view the meeting of the east with west. Macau visit is few among the world that offers us the opportunity to know how the oriental culture of the east imbibes the influences of the renascent western world. The 3000-year-old Chinese national character is well versed in the 400 years old Portuguese manipulate. A walk along the seashore reminds one the effects of colonialism.
Travel to Macau takes you to places full with memories of the olden days. The cobbled stone steps on your Macau visit take you to ancient temples of the olden era and 400-year-old Mediterranean churches. Appealing old Portuguese baroque architecture and festivals in ancient Chinese Buddhist temples are most preferred by tourists on their Macau visit. Beautiful gardens and historic forts supplement the tourism in Macau.
Travel to Macau holds many attractions apart from its famed popular destinations. The elegant Fisherman's Wharf Amusement Park provides a thrilling experience of life on your Macau visit. The numerous museums in Macau offer one a peep to various facets of human civilization in China. The restaurants present exotic Chinese food in the Los Vegas style buffet. Macau visit also takes you to a number of best casinos on this earth.
Macau tourism sector is crucial to its economy. Along with the service sector it is the main source of revenue. The Macau government is putting a lot of resources to keep the tourist infrastructure up to date. This has made Macau a pulsating and ever changing city full of landmarks, events, hotels, restaurants, books, and many moiré things attracting tourists on their Macau visit.
History of Macau
History of Macau is a perfect conundrum in the world history. A synthesis of the olden times of two credible world cultures, Macau history is an assortment of the Asian and the European record. The festivals, art forms, sculpture and the demographic composition of Macau, China, Asia, all speak volumes about the relationship between the Chinese folk and the colonial rulers.
History of Macau dates back to 12th century. To secure themselves from the invading Mongols, Song Dynasty rulers along with their 50,000 followers began living in the Mong Ha village in the small peninsula on the mouth of the Pearl River Delta. In 1535, the Portuguese acquired the right to anchor ships in the Macau ports solely for the trading use. During the heyday of colonialism, the Portuguese established their settlements in the peninsula and adjoining isles. Henceforth, the area was named as Macau.
Macau history took a decisive turn in 1553 with the grant of permission to Portugal to have temporary colonies in the isle. The reward was for punishing the pirates. In 1557, the Portuguese had their first permanent colony in Macau. The colonial rulers intended to act as a mediator for trade with India. In 1670, the Chinese gave the lease of Macau to Portugal. The Dutch made several aborted attempts to occupy Macau in the 17th century.
Macau flourished as a seaport under the Portugal colonial rulers. During the Opium War, the Portuguese also occupied the isles of Taipa and Coloane. Under the Treaty of Peking (1887) the Chinese Government accepted the perpetual sovereignty of Portugal over Macau. Simmering discontent against the colonial oppression led to outbreak of violence in December 1966. Many people were either killed or injured in the incident.
The "three no's" movement (no taxes, no service, no selling) to the Portuguese forced the colonial power to reconcile with the people on equal terms.
Culture of Macau
Culture of Macau is the wonderful interprogeny of the Asian and European ethos. Epitomizing the cultural synthesis of two nations, Macau is the place where east meets the west. The folk men, food habits, architecture and even the names of the street all exude the unity between the two diverse races.
Culture of Macau is as much Chinese as Portuguese. Macau is the oldest European colonial enclave in Asia. About 330 years of occupation by the Portuguese over this predominately Chinese state add many amazing features to its cultural silo. Both ethnic mores have coexisted for many centuries exemplifying in existence of the baroque-style churches with exceptional temples and the pastel-colored palaces with classic Chinese gardens.
Culture in Macau emits Portuguese influence everywhere from the markets to the street signs to the exclusive flavor of the Macanese gastronomy. The population is curious blend of unity in diversity. One can snoop many languages flourishing under the liberal umbrella of Macau culture. The festive spirit of Macau is enjoyable amidst the Chinese, Cantonese and Portuguese festivals observed throughout the year. Both Buddhism and Christianity have equal place in the cultural heritage of Macau.
Culture in Macau, though is influenced by the modern changes and development, yet it is the old world that charms tourists more with its capacity to absorb diverse faiths and people. The gambling venues coexist with old forts and places of religious and historical significance.
Macau is the unification land for Oriental and Western culture. If you are searching for the most charming place in the tourist annals, Macau is the right choice. Plan your Macau visit today and enjoy the fun and exciting detour in this delightful little enclave.
Macau Popular Destinations
Macau Popular Destinations enthrall you with a complete new breed of enriching tourism. Macau tourist attractions are a conscious blend of best from China, Portugal, and Las Vegas. Macau Popular Destinations seem to be picked up straight out of European construction blue-collar and inhabited by the Chinese populace. The major places of tourist attraction in Macau include Buddhist temples, Catholic cathedrals, Protestant cemeteries, Chinese gardens and Portuguese forts. The exorbitant presence of glazing casinos adds to the sagacity of incredible confusion during your Macau tour.
Macau Popular Destinations are varied and countless. It's beyond belief to see so many places of tourist interest in Macau. Macau Popular destinations such as Taipa islands boast a charming merge of both old and new of Macau in a lush natural setting. You are sure to be enchanted on your Macau tour. The beaches in Macau offer a picturesque and serene vacation for tourists on their travel to Macau. The temples and the huge statue of Goddess Tian Hou at the A-Ma Cultural Village are also among important tourist attractions in Macau. Panha hill has some of the most beautiful palaces placed amidst unruffled gardens. The Outer Harbour houses the amazing Fisherman's Wharf Amusement Park. Coloane Village posses the magnificent architectural monuments dating back to Portuguese colonial past.
Among the Macau popular destinations Taipa village looks elegant and colorful with its Chinese shophouses, Portuguese-style offices, temples and old streets. Lotus Flower in Full Bloom at the Lotus Square adds to the places of tourist interest in Macau. The famed shopping places and restaurants at the San Ma Lo square are must during your Macau visit.
Plan your Macau tour and take pleasure in the Local Customs and Traditions in Macau, China, Asia.
Sightseeing in Macau
Celebrated as the unusual destination of Asia, sightseeing in Macau offers its visitors a good choice of tourist attractions and recreational opportunities. Be it mesmerizing historic sites, museums, Cathedrals, long-established houses, or amazing theme park, hill forts, pine-fringed beaches and glittering casinos, Macau sightseeing tour ensures a perfect pleasure trip.
Major spots known for sightseeing in Macau are found in the Macau Peninsula and the adjoining isles of Taipa and Coloane. The famous Macau Bridge and causeway that connect the isles with Macau are themselves wonderful architectural splendors. The Barrier Gate (Portas do Cerco) separating Macau from the mainland China is also a major stopover on your Macau sightseeing tour. The Penha hill and adjoining Guia hill offer most pleasant view of the scenic Macau.
Sightseeing in Macau takes you to visit the famed temples like A-Ma Temple, Kun Iam Tong Temple, Lin Fung Miu Temple, Lin Kai Miu Temple, Pou Tai Un Temple and Tam Kung Miu Temple. The San Ma Lo sreet and the Senado Square offer a walk along the synthesis of history and culture of two civilizations. The chapels of St. Paul's, St. Francis Xavier (Coloane), St. Augustine's Church, and St. Dominic's Church offers you stories full of legends and adventure.
Macau Sightseeing Tour is incomplete without a tour of the Macau Tower. Grandeur of modern science, the monument offers variety of recreation facilities. The Nam Van Lake Cybernetic Fountain is another prime target during your Macau sightseeing tour. Plan your Macau tour and take pleasure in the scenic spots in the isles of Macau, China, Asia. Asiarooms offers online information on Macau travel.
Macau Museums
Make your Macau sightseeing more composed and pretty by visiting museums in Macau. Tourist attractions in Macau are never ending. The Macau museums offer a splendid tour of the past and present of the Macanese society. Set amidst the picturesque Macau peninsula and islets, the Macau museums host a number of lures ranging from history and Naturology to modern science and music.
Macau museums occupy a number of places at the bustling Macau region. It is amazing to see, even think of so many wonderful museums in Macau on your Macau sightseeing tour. Macau is undeniably one of those places which we found difficult to get on the map. But once we walk through its constricted streets and appealing squares, we start appreciating what stands as unique way of life in Macau. Dissimilar beliefs, costumes, stenches and habits make carnival in front of our eyes. It is a place where for centuries the cultural traits of the two giant cultures found a sagacious and lenient way to live together.
The existence of museums in Macau exemplifies its wealthy past, culture and patrimony. This rich history and legacy make the explicit cultural heritage of Macau inspected by tourists from world over in the various museums in Macau as well as in its monuments. Asiarooms offers online information about Macau Museums.
Macau Festivals & Events
Macau festivals and events represent the intermixed cultural ethos of the east and the west. The western festive spirit is well embodied with the sagacity of the oriental life.The festivals in Macau and events organized there are hydrids of both Europe and Asia.
Chinese New Year is the most imoportant ethnic festival in Macau. Another important local festival Feast of the God Toutei is observed at Pou Tai Un Temple in March. A colorful street parade is organised to celebrate Procession of the Passion of our Lord, The Good Jesus at Macau cathedral. Macau Arts Festival is a showcase of best of the concerts, dance, painting exhibitions, Chinese opera, theatre etc commomerating the cultural diversity of Macau.
The month of April has Qingming and A-Ma Festivals. Burning of joss sticks and paper objects as well as worship of forefathers mark the Qingming Festival. During the A-Ma Festival, the temple of A-Ma, a Taoist goddess is crowded by thousands seeking blressings.
The birth of Buddha and the Feast of the Drunken Dragon is celebrated in May .The later festive occasion starts from Kwan Tai Temple with the dance performance by groups of intoxicated men. The fishermen observe Tam Kong and the Christian devotees carry on Procession of Our Lady of Fatima in the same month.
Apart from these Dragon Boat Festival on Nam Van Lakes, Feast of Kuan Tai, Feast of Na Cha and Mid-Autumn Festival are other important festivals in Macau. Events of international repute such as Volleyball Grand Prix, International Fireworks Festival, Music Festival, Macau Grand Prix and Marathon also add to the tourist attractions in Macau.
How to Get in to Macau
Macau is the gateway to China from South China Sea and is located on the western shore of the Pearl River Delta. Due to developed means of transport, Macau has now become an easy to visit destination and has added to its popularity.
The Macau International Airport is linked different parts of Asia, Europe and America. How to get in to Macau by air is not difficult as there are numerous flights that connect and helps travel reach quickly from different parts of the world. The airport is equipped with all the modern facilities and is well connected to the city though taxi and airport line.
Those who like to get in to Macau by boat would be excited to know that there are regular ferry services between Macau and Hong Kong. How to get in to Macau by boat is now not difficult and there are a number of jetfoils and Catamarans and that vary in speed, comfort and price. In Hong Kong there are two ferry terminals that provide services to Macau. The Hong Kong- Macau Ferry Terminal and the China Ferry Terminal.
The visitors who want to get in to Macau by road, there are two gateways to the Guangdong Province in China from Macau. One of the gateways is called Barrier Gateway and the other is called COTAI Frontier Post. There are several bus companies that offer air-conditioned coaches but travelers are advised to get their travel documents prepared in advance to cross the border.
Entertainment in Macau
From wild excitements to mellower ones - there are numerous options for entertainment in Macau. You are at liberty to pick your choice from a wide variety of amusement opportunities, which include food, music and dance.
The coolest of all entertainment centers in Macau is the Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Center. Get inside the glass elevator, which would carry you to the top. There is a fantastic revolving restaurant on top from where you can have a bird's eye view of the city. You may also choose between taking the 70-meter long cable ride and watching latest hit movies in the 500-seater theatre. The bungee trampoline is a kiddies' favorite. The life size replica of the Carvel ship is another attraction portraying pirate theme.
If the hip and cool is not your cup of tea, head straight for the Macau Cultural Center. You can avail of any of the regular opera shows or arty films. Sizzling cabarets are available in casinos of the city. Do not give a miss to the sensual Crazy Paris Show if you take delight in such performances. Check out the classy Jazz shows at The Glass House located close to the waterfront area.
With pubs and nightclubs galore, nighttime revelry is available in abundance in Macau. Tap your feet with the grooving number at any of the dozens of bars and discos. The ambience in the bars, cafes, and clubs is truly exotic. The Fridays and Saturdays are livened up by performances of the live bands.
For the daring types, the entertainment complexes in Macau offer a bunch of activities. Wide range of water sports often mixed with slight doses of adventure would keep your spirits high.
Hotels in Macau
