Asia Travel Macau: “MACAU” A Formula For Success/ Eurasia Macau/ The Macau Sensation

A Brand…More than a name, it is product of careful design. Lead by a vision, it constructs, remodels and redefines an experience…Through the creative manipulation of its resources, a brand not only establishes an idea, it forms an identity. Since its independence, Macau has, brick by brick built on a singular brand distinct in the region and recognized throughout the world. A brand that speaks of its sudden rise back into the limelight, all thanks to Macau’s formula for success. In much the same way as Hongkong, Macau is one of two Special Administrative Regions under China. Such liberties have allowed for Macau to enjoy a high degree of autonomy over its economy and immigration policies, becoming a hub for tourists and businessmen. Macau remains one of the fastest growing economy in Asia, which is attributed to its bustling tourism and gaming industries. Waves of people come to Macau. Yearly, its ports of entry draw more than 22 million visitors. But the flow of people is nothing new to a historic port town like Macau.     Composed of the Macau Peninsula and the Islands of Taipa and Coloane, Macau is a narrow territory jutted at the southern most tip of the mainland. Initially inhabited by fishermen form Fujian and Guangdong Province, it was, and still is, an ideal place for commerce. At the mouth of the Pearl River Delta, it faces the south China sea where it bridged China with the rest of the southeast. It earned the name Ou Mun, or the “trading gate”, for it became an essential trading port for cargo along the length of the ancient Silk Road. Through a network of trading routes by land and by sea, the silk road connected Europe to the far east. By 1550, when Portugese merchant-explorers arrived, there was already a seaborne industry alive on the peninsula. Various makes of junks dotted the port, with innovations that defined the time.     The Maritime Museum at the Barra Square, tells the story of the port of Macau and its vital role in establishing the city. Across the same cobbled stone esplanade of the Barra Square is the A-ma Gao or A-ma Temple. Erected in honor of Mazu (Maa-zu), the Goddess of Seafarers, the A-Ma Gao soon come to mean so much more. Lost in exonym, from A-Ma-Gao, the Portugese adopted the name Ma-cau, to refer to the entire territory.     Everyday visitors are drawn to one of the oldest temples of Macau. Some come to worship while others find through its winding paths and pavilions, its deep history embedded onto rock. But to be named after a temple in honor of Mazu is a point of pride. Reverence for the diety has remained alive in seafaring communities across China for the past thousand years. But no place can prove Macau’s persistent veneration to A-Ma than in the A-Ma Cultural Village. Completed in 2001, it may not be the oldest, but it is certainly one of the most iconic. Found at Coloane Island, towering above its hills is a seven thousand square meter park allotted for the Tian Hou Palace.      Up past the carvings along the stone steps...     And through the ornate village gates...     Lay the inner courtyard where there are dressing halls, museums, and shops as well as a central Buddhist Temple. But its most important feature is found further up the hill. A white marble statue of A-Ma looks over Macau. At a towering height of 99.9 meters, its size signifies the year of handover from Portugal to China. Through the cooperation of Macau designers and sculptors from the mainland, it sets in stone the meaningful return of Macau to its mother country. Although these are more prominent places of worship, there are at least 40 temples in Macau honoring various other Gods. Today, such a number is exceptional, as there are few places left in China that have these close system of temples. Mandarin, other than being a language, also refers to a powerful member of the nine political figures of the Chinese Empire. Zheng Guanying was a political force in China. A merchant and socio-political scholar, he lived in Macau for several generations. His home is known today as the Mandarin’s house. A staggering 4000 square meter complex, it has 60 rooms spread along three floor has 60 rooms spread along three floors. Its size was rare in Macau, speaking of the resident’s affluence and political influence. The house is typical of a Guangdong residence, with several central gardens and courtyards throughout the property. The mandarin’s house is divided into two areas; the front for the servants of the house and the back for Zheng Guanying and his family. The plaster poetry throughout the residence are characteristic of Chinese style architectural ornamentation; some of these following themes from Chinese literature. A series of moon gates allow balance in the Mandarin’s house. It is believed that moon gates influence the Chi or energy through the mansion and serve as an inviting entrance for the guest.      Its temples, homes, and budding industry established deep Chinese roots, but that was just the beginning. As Macau was becoming an important crossroad between two different cultures, it was also recreating its identity.     The prevalence of various topologies evident throughout its architecture provides insight into the foreign influences of Macau. And there is no better place to begin the search than in Leal Senado or Senado Square. Once the center of Macau, it has since developed to be the face of the Region’s heritage corridor. Though much of the structures along the road were constructed in the 19th and 20th century, the efforts to preserve them brought back the Mediterranean mood, that at one point. defined its time. In the rebirth of the old, additional work was done to the central esplanade. Artists from Portugal paved the path in black and white cobbles, forming a wave patterned walkway. The colors were meant to draw out the pastel hues of the restored buildings. The Leal Senado Building and Santa Casa Da Misericcordia, are edifices that speak of the lasting magnifices of western design. At the St. Dominic’s Square is where the first ever Catholic church in China was constructed. Erected under the Dominican’s in 1587, St. Dominic’s Church signaled the dawn of Catholicism in Macau. Today, there is a profusion of churches found throughout Macau. Each processes a unique window into Macau’s history. But the ruin of one speaks more about the cooperation of east and west in Macau than all others combined. The Church of Mater Dei or Mother of God, also known as the St. Paul’s Cathedral was completed under the Jesuits in 1602. It was the largest stone church ever constructed in Asia at the time. Brought to rubble by a blaze in 1835, all that’s left for people to visit is the façade and its 66 stone steps. But from the ruins alone, one can admire and imagine the elegance of what would have been the Cathedral.     It once was believed to follow the Chinese style tiled roofs, with sidewalls made chunambo, a mixture of straw, lime, and oyster shells. Genovese Carlo Spinola who infused these western designs, acquiring the help of Chinese and Japanese craftsmen, designed it. So formidable was this collaboration that it drew the favor of European royalty. Follow the cobbled stone steps throughout Macau and it will lead too much more. The Moorish Baracks, designed by Italian architect Cassuto in 1874, incorporates Islamic influences in its overall design. It was intended to accommodate the Indian regiment from Goa that serves as additional security for the port city. Today, it remains a vital government building as Macau’s Maritime Administration. Another structure worthy of note is the Guia fortress and lighthouse. The oldest Western style lighthouse in the China coast, it is situated at the highest point in Macau, offering an amazing panoramic view of peninsula.       Centuries of Portugese influence built an enduring structure that gave birth to the unique cultural attributes of Macau. The building that houses the Museum of Taipa and Coloane history was once the Taipa Public Administration Building. Its façade was inspired by Neo-classical architecture, reviving the grandeur of ancient Rome. From inside, the offices are turned into galleries telling the story of Taipa and Coloane. There are more than 230 artifacts spread along nine thematic galleries.     Taipa and Coloane are found south of the Macau Peninsula     Taipa had once made its mark across the world in the middle of the 20th century for its firecracker industry. Through mining and manufacturing, family businesses like Him Yuen Yick Kee Firecracker Company and Yick Loong Firecrackers Company became household names. It fired Taipa’s economy. Further down the road, along the Avenida de Praia, are a row of houses now converted into Casa-Museu du Taipa. Once the residence of high officials and prominent Macanese families, it was eventually remodeled as a museum, displaying the way of life during the early 20th century. Styled in the typical colonial home. The Macanese house allows guests to visit the splendor of the affluent Portuguese and British merchants and Chinese that prospered in Macau. Although the exterior leans toward more Portugese-styled homes, the furnishings are very much Chinese in design, creating equilibrium between two cultures. The remaining ones including the “House of the Islands”, “The House of Portugal Regions”, “The Exhibition Gallery” and the “The Two Houses of Reception” that are also open to the public.     But not all are echoes of the past. Some 10,000 residents of Taipa continue to live along the quaint narrow roads and clustered houses maintaining the architecture and the mood of the older days. The Municipal Market of Taipa has long since lost its businesses but not its luster. Another historical site, it was once the center of little Taipa’s township. From here a web of roads opens up to food streets (Gelatina Mook Yi Kei) and unexpected culinary marvels.The one thing common between these two distinct cultures is its food. Certainly worlds apart in the how and the what, but the value placed in each delicious journey is unquestionable.      Although Macau has one of the densest populations by square meter, it also is a region that has the highest life expectancy in the world. Breaking through the monotony of high rises lay old restored pieces of Macau’s history. Pocket gardens, paved cobble stone passages and lake side parks that are enjoyed not only by tourists but by locals as well. Places that are not hollow attraction but are in fact sanctuaries for their community. See Tai Chi practiced in gardens like the Lou Lim Lok, or steal a peek at the migratory birds in Macau’s Bird Colony, Visit the public gym at places like the Carmel Square, Or join the women dancing in Jardim de Vasco Da Gama in the early mornings take a stroll and enjoy the works of artists all around. Experiences that enrich its resident’s lives through varied experiences embedded in their daily lives. Ad from these places of quiet, it seems the Macanese have time to rest and rethink.     “In rest,” says the Chinese proverb, “one can find perspective.”     Though much different from Portugese buildings and Chinese homes and temples, the new high rises that shape the cityscape are testaments to Macau’s penchant for fine architecture.      At the Macau Science Center and Planetarium, children are introduced to a world of knowledge presented in a fun and exciting adventure. From room to room, children learn the laws that rule the universe. Funded by various charities and designed by world-renowned architect I. M. Pei, the Macau Science Center is where it all starts. In view of the science center are already engineering masterpieces like the Ponte de Amizade and Ponte Governador Nobre de Carvalho (or Macau Taipa Bridge). Pushing the limits further, the structures all around Macau are in themselves astonishing architectural marvels. In the last couple of years of Macau has been out-doing itself, hotel by hotel, catering to the increasing number of visitors. The tallest of them is the Grand Lisboa. Named after the capital city of Portugal, the lotus shaped building and its orb-like casino can be seen as far as Taipa. Situated along the straight, it is hard to miss. At the lobby alone, the lavish collection of Asian art calls to the tourists. But Lisboa is more than just a place to stay. Its restaurants and bar s are of the highest caliber. With specialty restaurants that are a feast for the senses.  Also situated along the prime waterfront of the Macau is the MGM Macau, an affiliate of the MGM Resorts International. A 35-story tower with cascading glass windows of gold, silver and bronze that reflect from it the South China Sea.     Upon entering, two original Dali sculptures greet guests. Its attention to detail is further impresses as one walks into the Grand Praca (Prasa cedile). Rising 25 meters, this dynamic space takes inspiration from European architecture with dramatic landscapes against man-made forms. Lines all around it are restaurants where one can dine alfresco minus the mid-summer heat. From across the MGM is the L’arc Macau. A hotel and service department, this five star hotel offers a home away from home. Taken from the arch du triumph, L’arc molds. Parisian elegance into its executive lounge. But among the names famous for Asian hospitality, the Mandarin Oriental is at the top of the list. Found throughout the world, Macau might not be the same if it did not have its own Mandarin Oriental. Opened in July 2010, it closely adheres to the aesthetics of Mandarin Oriental that blends local cultures, exotic art, and a lovely ambience with breathtaking vacations.     Collaborations between east and west continued long after Portugal left Macau. The Wynn Hotel offers more than just a great dining experience that complements the Eurasian flavor of Macau. Its sister hotel, the Encore (at Wynn Macau) takes stock in the Wynn Hotel’s signature service but applies a light whimsical approach to its architecture. Sourcing materials from as far as Brazil and Europe for its for its décor. The Ponte 16 was once a fisherman’s port along the inner harbor. Now hotels manage by French Luxury Hotel, Sofitel, it again is a place for people all over the world to visit and enjoy.     Sofitel Macau at Pointe 16 has also one of the largest collections of Michael Jackson Memorabilia, with a special gallery in honor of pop star. But for those seeking rest in a place full of history, then the Pousada de Sao Tiago is the place to stay in. A fortress built by the Portugese  in the early 17th century, it has been transformed into a boutique hotel with a small selection of rooms allowing privacy and quiet. Smaple the Sanish cuisine in La Paloma, with their special Iberian Ham and Paella Valenciana.     From across the peninsula, between Taipa and Coloane, a strip of land is now gaining headway. The Cotal Strip is a stretch of reclaimed territory that is home to a collection of hotel chains. The largest of them al is the Venetian Hotel. The Venetian Hotel, owned by Las Vegas Sand Corporation, is a 40-storey building hotel. It is arguably the most expansive in the world. The first fully integrated luxury and entertainment resort, it links Las Vegas’ three most prominent hotels: The Sands Macau, The Venetian Hotel and The Four Seasons Macau. Between shopping, enjoy a gondola ride as gondeliers serenade guests along the indoor canal. It is also home to Cirque du Soeil’s ZAIA, with daily stagings of the world-famous acrobatics show.     Revel in the graceful accents of neo-European elegance embraces warmth in the Four Seasons Macau. From across the Plaza is a new addition to the famous Cotal Strip… The City of Dreams.     An integrated entertainment resort, it offers an array of accommodations, from the Crown Plaza to the Grand Hyatt Hotel and the Hard Rock Hotel. Living up to its name, the City of Dreams offers a virtual aquarium, the one of its kind and the bubble show where it features the Dragon Pearl, a 10 min. visual adventure. Speeding through its hotels, one might just miss the very glue that holds all these together. What makes Macau so novel is the mutual respect between existing native cultures and their Portuguese guests that went through long periods of cooperation and cultural exchanges evidenced today by its architecture, cuisine and most of all hospitality.     The City of Culture, the Las Vegas of Asia, the Europe of the East.     It is what makes Macau a brand separate from all others. Using the qualities of the old and incorporated them into a new, Macau makes its past relevant to its future, formulating a brand for its success.