A journey around the world to see the works of some of the most inspiring artists begins in a single city – Macao
Brought to you by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO)
Once upon a time a valuable intermediary for international trade between Asia and the western world, Macao today continues to play an important role in connecting different worlds. However, that connection now feeds the exchange and appreciation of arts and culture.
Central to Macao’s recognised status as global arts and culture hub is Art Macao, a massive festival that occurs once every two years to bring the world’s artistic community together with public and private sectors to share diverse visual arts experiences.
Running between July and October this year, the Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021 adopts the theme, To Create for Well-being, in hopes of reshaping the humanistic spirit in a post-epidemic era through creative ideas.
As the destination transforms into a gallery and art garden for the festival, visitors are invited to explore several sections: Main Exhibition, Special Exhibition of Resorts and Hotels, Public Art Exhibition, Creative City Pavilion, Selected Works by Local Artists and Collateral Exhibition, among many others.
The Main Exhibition, themed Advance and Retreat of Globalization, is curated by Qiu Zhijie, one of the most influential contemporary artists in China and dean of the School of Experimental Art of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. It invites visitors to reflect on and discuss the theme of globalisation through an artistic lens, while echoing the geographical and cultural identities of Macao. The Main Exhibition features a collection of over 100 artworks from more than 40 artists from Mainland China and beyond.
Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021 also sees the participation of other prestigious cities such as Nanjing, the City of Literature; Wuhan, the City of Design; and Linz, the City of Media Arts.
A host of venues supporting the event includes Macao Cultural Centre, Macao Contemporary Art Center, Tap Seac Gallery and Mong-Ha Villas, as well as integrated resorts such as Galaxy Macau, City of Dreams, MGM Cotai, The Venetian Macao, Grand Lisboa Macau and Wynn Palace.
Beyond the arts
Visitors to Art Macao will discover far more to do and see in the destination, with the help of new information counters set up within six local hotels and integrated resorts. Macao Government Tourism Office hopes these facilities will provide relevant destination information and promote programmes offered by the Macao Highlight Tours and Stay, Dine and See Macao projects.
Stay, Dine and See Macao features local tours and hotel staycations for Macao residents, with the aim of supporting the local hospitality trade. The project is expected to spur domestic spend in communities, driving a revival of the tourism and related industries. Up till July 31, a total of 32,961 participants have embarked on local tours, and 44,497 overnight guests have enjoyed local hotel packages.
Meanwhile, Macao Highlight Tours programmes are tailored to introduce visitors to Macao’s history, cultural landscape and “tourism+” elements. Themed itineraries include Amazing one-day tour with MAK MAK, and Private helicopter charter ride.
These information counters are located at: Grande Praça of MGM Macau; Business Center of Wynn Palace; Lobby of Studio City; Lobby of Grand Lisboa; ground floor (near Tastes of Asia) of Galaxy Macau; and West Lobby of The Venetian Macao. Operating hours are from 10.00 to 13.00 and 14.00 to 19:00 daily.
As Macao continues to craft meaningful activities for visitors, hotel accommodation options are expanding too. The destination welcomes the opening of the Lisboeta Macau integrated resort and the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort.
Lisboeta Macau by Macau Theme Park And Resort offers 820 guestrooms across three unique themes – Lisboeta, Line Friends presents Casa De Amigo, and Maison L’Occitane. A plethora of entertainment options adds to its charms, from heart-racing fun at GoAirborne Indoor SkyDiving and Zipcity to lifestyle indulgences through gastronomic adventures and retail therapy at themed night market and malls.
The Grand Lisboa Palace Resort in the Cotai district, developed by SJM Holdings, reflects Macau’s history of Sino-Western cultural exchange through its architecture, facilities and services. Luxurious accommodation and an impeccable line-up of world-renowned, first-to-Macau and trendsetting F&B brands come together to promise an exceptional stay for guests.
Getting there is half the fun
There are now new ways to get around Macao, with the opening of the Barra-Coloane Ferry Route. This is the first route that uses Barra Pier as a waypoint, offering travellers a 25-minute voyage that takes in views of Macao, Cotai, Zhuhai Shizimen Central Business District, Hengqin, Coloane and other iconic landscapes. The route also offers nature lovers a look at mangroves and resident egrets.
Also new to Macao is the MAK MAK Light Rapid Transit (LRT) Pass, launched on August 1 to allow Air Macau passengers to redeem their boarding pass for a special LRT pass at the Macau International Airport. The redemption is valid within seven days of arrival in Macao, and the pass grants holders unlimited rides on the Macao LRT network for three days. Thereafter, the ticket can be recharged with more credits for further rides.
For more travel updates and inspirations, follow Mak Mak Macao (on Instagram), Stopover Macao (on Facebook), and Macao Moments (on Twitter), or visit the Macao Government Tourism Office website
