Macau is a good example of cultural integration, but not the type of intensely hectic globalised mix you tend to see in modern cities these days. Macau is the product of a respectable homogenized blend between Portugal and China - and casino developers. Macau is a perfect example of a colony that has managed to preserve the more important elements of its heritage, whilst also concurrently successfully developing and bringing in overseas investors at the same time.
Sure, Macau does have numerous architectural legacies and the relaxed Mediterranean-like streets and cafes do have a sleepy charm, but this is just one part of Macau. Since the handover back to China in 1999 and the termination of the gambling monopoly in 2002, Macau has been developing at a monumental speed. The growing infrastructure of casinos, hotels, resorts, and other such developments are all brining a new affluence to Macau and in 2006 Macau overcame Las Vegas and officially became highest-volume gambling centre in the world. This is mainly because Macau is the only place where casinos are legal in China. With numerous other casinos and hotels still to come (Four Seasons, MGM, Grand Hyatt, City of Dreams, and Mandarin Oriental, to name but a few) Macau is only just beginning and the best is yet to come.
| Flag |
 |
| Capital |
Macau (also spelt: Macao) (澳门, Ou3mun4 in Cantonese, Àomén in Mandarin |
| Government |
Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (中华人民共和国) |
| Currency |
Macau Pataca (MOP), also Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) and Renminbi (RMB) are widely used |
| Area |
total: 28.2 km2
water: 0 km2
land: 28.2 km2 (2005, increasing due to land reclamation) |
| Population |
453,125 (July 2006 est.) |
| Language |
Chinese (Cantonese) and Portuguese (official languages), Chinese (Mandarin) and English (spoken in tourist areas) |
| Religion |
Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none and other 35% (1997 est.) |
| Electricity |
220 V, 50Hz (rounded 3-pin 5A and 15A plug and UK 13A plug) |
| Calling Code |
+853 |
| Internet TLD |
.mo |
| Time Zone |
UTC+8 |
Hours:
9am - 10pm, daily.
Address:
5-7 San Mak Tang Po, Macau.
With obvious Buddhist influences, this small little restaurant offers up an interesting selection of vegetarian dishes at extremely affordable prices. There are various sets available, but the menu is predominantly in Chinese.
Hours:
11pm - 12 midnight, daily.
Address:
21 Rua Seng Tou, Orquidea, No. 6, Edf. Nova Taipa Gardens Taipa, Macau.
This modestly cute little Indian eatery is located away from it all on the island of Taipa. The dishes are affordable, the staff friendly, and the spiciness can even be modified to suit your tastes.
Address:
24, Rua Do Dr. Pedro Jose Lobo, Floor 3J, Block 4, Edf. Kamloi, Macau.
Reasonably clean and conveniently close to main street of Avenida de Almeida Ribiero and a few minutes walk to the Senado Square and the St Paul Church.
Hours:
11am - 12midnight. Daily.
Address:
Mezzanine floor, Hotel Lisboa, 2-4 Avenida de Lisboa, Macau.
Possibly one of the nicest - if not one of the only - Shanghainese restaurants in Macau. With a nice interior and overhanging balcony, this place offers all the usual Shanghai specialties like steamed soup dumplings (’Xiao-Long-Bao’), Shanghai noodles, and steamed crab.
Address:
1 Rua da Tessara, Coloane Village Square, Coloane, Macau.
People don’t actually know if Andrew Stow is a lord or not, but one thing is for sure, his egg tarts are the best in Macau. The shop was opened back in 1989, but he concocted his famous egg tart recipe a year later.
Hours:
12 noon - 3pm and 6pm - 11:30pm, daily.
Address:
Fernão M Pinto 110, Macau.
One of the few Shanghai restaurants in the city specialising in ultra-tasty DIY hot pots.
Hours:
Mon-Sat 10am-10pm. Sun (and public Hols) 10am-7pm.
Address:
327-331 Avenida Xian Xing Hai, Nam On Garden, Macau.
Literally a breath of fresh air, Spa Philosophy claims to be the world's only fully oxygenated spa. With a cutting edge German purification system pumping out the best manmade air in the city, you’ll feel refreshed before your treatment even begins.
Address:
Olympic Road, Macau
This impressive sports centre was built in 2007 specially for the Macau Asian Games and it is still used to hold various sport events from time to time.
Tags: indoor, sports
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