In Asia’s Venice,straddle East and West
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, December 9, 2015
Day 2
9am
The Ruins of St Paul
As one of the most-visited sights of Macau, the Ruins of St Paul refer to the facade of what was originally the Church of Mater Dei, built between 1602 and 1640 by Jesuits and destroyed by a fire in 1835. The ruins of St Paul's College stood adjacent to the church. Close by, the archaeological remains of the old College of St Paul bear witness to what was the first Western-style university in the Far East. It is a popular spot to take wedding photos and has been the backdrop for many movies.
11am
Fortress
To get a panoramic view of Macau, take a quick hike up the 52m high Mount Hill. Atop is Fortaleza do Monte, a fortress built from 1617 to 1626 to defend the Jesuit's properties. The fortress was the city's principal military defense structure, equipped with cannons, military barracks and an arsenal that held enough ammunition and supplies to last a two-year siege by pirates, who roamed the oceans at the time. In the 17th and 18th century, the fortress was also the home of several Macau governors. More recently, it served as a weather observatory.
12:30pm
Macanese food
When in Macau, do as the Macanese do and try some local cuisine, a unique combination of Portuguese and Chinese, which includes ingredients and spices from Europe, Africa and South East Asia. Renowned for its flavor-blending cooking techniques and big on grilling and roasting, Macanese food is typically seasoned with turmeric and cinnamon, while a dash of coconut milk tops off the scrumptious aroma and taste. The cuisine dates back 450 years, and is known for signature dishes like "Galinha à Africana" (African chicken), chili shrimps and Jook-sing noodles or zhu sheng mian.
3pm
A-Ma Temple
It is said that when the first Portuguese sailors landed on the southwest tip of the peninsula, they asked the locals what the place was called, and were told "mage," a reference that the bay was the home to goddess Matzu, patron of seafarers and fishermen. The Portuguese then named the peninsula Macau. A-Ma temple, built in the 15th century, is one of the oldest temples in Macau and one of the most notable as it brings Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and folk beliefs together.
5pm
Shopping
As the last stop, get some souvenirs for your friends and family that represent the local culture but are also more than just trinkets that will gather dust. Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro (popularly-known as "San Ma Lo"), Rua da Felicidade and Travessa do Auto Novo near Senado Square are the places to get almond cakes, egg rolls or some peanut candies. For a more savory delight, roasted sliced meat is a favorite among locals. Some of the snacks are prepared right in front of you and will stay fresh until you're back in Shanghai.
Where to stay:
For travelers on a budget, downtown Macau offers a range of economy hotels and hostels. Among the most popular are Macau Ole London Hotel, Victoria Hotel, Heisha Hostel and Zhuwan Hostel, all featuring clean rooms and free Wi-Fi.
For a more upscale-experience, try one of the six top-notch hotels at Galaxy Macau that combines spectacular entertainment, business and leisure travel.
The six hotels — The Ritz-Carlton, Macau, JW Marriott Hotel Macau, Banyan Tree Macau, Hotel Okura Macau, Galaxy Hotel and Broadway Hotel — offer a total of 3,600 luxury rooms, suites and villas.
ESPA by The Ritz-Carlton, Macau specializing in therapeutic massage experiences helps you restore inner and outer glow.
If you are an outdoor water sports fan, check out the Grand Resort Deck that features the 575-meter-long Skytop Aquatic Adventure River Ride, a wave pool and a white sand beach.
Venues:
Livraria Portuguesa
Address: No.18 Rua de Pedro Nolasco da Silva
Pin-To Livros and Pin-To Musica
Address: No.31 Largo do Senado
Ritz Building
Address: No.9 Largo do Senado
Macau Science Center
Address: Dr Sun Yat-Sen Ave
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