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Macao is a Chinese special administrative area located about one
hour's ferry ride from Hong Kong, where its 30-square-kilometer area is
packed with East-meets-West cultural fusion.
Portuguese-Cantonese heritage-imbued nuances colors every corner of
the two islands and peninsula that make up the area. The old and the new
mesh between the bright city lights and old-town squares of Macao.
Home to a unique combination of Cantonese-Portuguese elements,
Macao's vibrant cultural heritage often falls in the shadows of its
blinding city lights and glittering chandeliers inside its grand hotel
hallways.
The Chinese special administrative area, which is infused with
European roots across its 30-square-kilometer land, is located a short
hour-long ferry ride from Hong Kong.
Its preserved history still evident in the nooks and crannies across
the city, while clusters of lavish hotel complexes, most of which host
extensive casino grounds and luxurious shopping malls, greet guests upon
arrival.
is admirable about Macao’s tourism strategy is that the
administration tries hard to maintain not only gaming but also tourism
as its economic backbones. From having well-maintained historical
buildings, hosting movie events, entertainment and world-class live
performances, Macao clearly wants to expand its image.
The House of Dancing Water live aquatic show in the City of Dreams in
Cotai is one example. Built in a permanent venue called the Dancing
Water Theater, the most expensive show in Macao features a love story,
spectacular stage, music, dances, acrobatics and martial arts. With a
2,000-seat capacity and a pool holding more than five times the volume
of an Olympic swimming pool, it is dubbed the world’s biggest
water-based show.
When the show was first launched in 2010, people wondered whether it
could create a new image of Macao. But now seven years have passed in a
blink and the show that was created and directed by Franco Dragone of
Cirque du Soleil continues to be successful.
Macao also uses the appeal of the film industry to attract movie
buffs. It is not unusual to hear someone say that want to visit the
shooting locations of their favorite films – from the hugely popular
South Korean Drama Boys Before Flowers to Now You See Me 2. Last
year, the region hosted the first International Film Festival and
Awards Macao (IFFAM), celebrating cinema and featuring international and
Asian movie debuts.
If you want to go around the city, just hop on the free shuttle bus
widely available at hotels to reach the center of attractions downtown.
Public buses also ply as many as 18 different routes.
Macao comprises the Macao peninsula and the two islands of Taipa and
Coloane. The peninsula and Taipa are connected by three bridges, while
Taipa and Coloane are linked by the 2.2-kilometer Taipa-Coloane
Causeway.
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