Day 2: Macau > Doumen > Jiangmen > Foshan

Macau Development
Gambling in Macau developed rapidly since the gambling monopoly was opened.  It surpassed Las Vegas Strip to become the world largest gambling city in 2006 (by measuring the gambling revenue).  Luxury resorts and casinos development projects are never stop.  Due to many construction projects happened at the same time, human resources and construction materials become expensive.  Many architects and engineers over the countries are employed to develop Macau's hotel projects.  The salary of an employee in construction industrial in Macau is 50% to 100% higher than Hong Kong.  Some Hong Kong construction companies are benefited by getting Macau projects as well.

We took a shuttle bus to pass through the new area of luxury resorts and casino.  It's so amazing!  The hotels are luxury and they have different characters and attractions.  There are still many great resorts and casino projects are developing.  I'm looking for more new looks of Macau.

The Venetian Macao is the world biggest building.

Another side of Venetian Macao.

Golden facade of Venetian Macao is shinning under the sunshine.

Construction site of a luxury hotel project.

This tower is part of a new hotel project.
It may become a popular iconic building.

Another new hotel project is under development.
The "8" shaped hole has a track for sightseeing cable cars.  

New hotel Studio City. 

The University of Macau
It is located at Macau and it is going to move to a new campus at Henqin.  Henqin is part of China, not Macau.  China assigned the sovereignty of this area to Macau for their development.  The university area will be separated to other Henqin area by wall and river.  It connect to Cotai (Macau city) by a tunnel.  Macanese can visit the university without customs checking.  This action shows the relationship of China and Macau.

Left hand side of  river is China.  Right hand side of river is Macau.

UM Wu Yee Sun Library 

UM Guest House and University Hall

Scientific Research Building

China Guangdong: Doumen Old Street
Doumen is a historical district with many famous heritages.  Doumen Old Street is one of them.  Doumen Old Street has 500m long.  It was a prosperous and busy town in thousand years ago, as many foreigners living there for business.  At 2012, China government planned to develop tourism and renovate the heritages in Doumen.   Doumen Old Street is part of the plan.  The project cost RMB 200 millions and targeted to finish at 2017.

We were very lucky that we could visit the street at initial stage of the renovation project.  The road has not been paved yet.  Many buildings are showing it's original appearance.  The building facades, the monumental gateway and balcony are full of Guangdong style.  The buildings are connected each other.  The ground floor shops are connected by a long corridor.  This corridor allow the shops recess to the building to prevent raining and over sun light.  When we were walking along the corridor, there were colorful paintings on the ceiling.  The shops are still operated by local people.  They are selling rice, soil, furniture, daily stuffs etc.  We talked to one of the shop owner.  They were happy to the renovation project of the old street.  She said she rent the shop for business.  I'm thinking she may not benefit by the renovation project, as her shop may be rented by Starbucks in the future.

The renovation project is at initial stage.

The roads are not paved yet.  We guess it may last for a year.

Guangdong style facade with monumental gateway, balcony and column.

Guangdong style facade with monumental gateway.

The long corridor in front of the shops.  
Shops are recessed to the building. 

Colourful paintings on ceiling. 

The shops are selling daily stuffs.

Furniture shop

Soil shop

Chenpi village
We visited Chenpi village.  This is a building with shops and garden for tourists.  There building is decorated by bamboo.  We are discussing whether the bamboos are core structure or decoration only.  I tried to carry out some research on it but fail.  I guess the bamboo is not core structure.  The bamboo is mainly for decoration and may be a little part of support.  If the building is mainly supported by bamboo, it should be a selling point to attract tourists and I should easy to get information.  Also, it is a new building, not heritage.  Modern Chinese construction company will use easier building method.  Cement and steel are easier for them to handle.

Main entrance of Chenpi Village

Bamboo column

Interior are all bamboo

Bamboo plaza

Bamboo garden

We have Chenpi lunch there.  The tomato with
Chenpi powder.  The taste are surprisingly match.

Shirmp with Chenpi powder taste very good.

Foshan Lingnan Tiandi PV system:
Lingnan Tiandi is a tourism area mixed heritages and commercial.  It located at center of Foshan.  Lingnan Tiandi started the development at 2008 and targeted to complete at 2020.  Shui On Land Limited is the main constructor.  They also take care other the real estate development in Foshan.  Some phases of Lingnan Tiandi is completed and in use.

Lingnan Tiandi is using PV system.  By using solar energy to supply the lighting of the area.  They installed 65 pcs solar panels on the roof of the building.

Entrance of Lingnan Tiandi

Restaurants in renovated old buildings.

Global corporate coffee shop instead local small shops.

Langnan Tiandi is a good leisure area for tourists and local people.

They are holding a cartoon show.  They
put the cartoon next to the heritage.

Foshan Lingnan Mingzhu Gymnasium
Foshan Lingnan Mingzhu Gymnasium designed by a Japanese architecture company and Guangdong Architectural Design Institute.  The project started at 2004 and completed at 2006.  It costed RMB 600 million.  The gymnasium occupy area 76,000 sqm and allow 9,500 audiences.  The dome shape architecture provide around audience desk for better view of the competition.

Outlook of  Foshan Lingnan Mingzhu Gymnasium
shows the 3 round stadiums. (Photo by Baidu)

Triangular structure of the dome gymnasium.

Connection of the each dome stadium.

The ceiling of the dome stadium by triangular structure.

Round audience desk in main stadium.

Round audience desk in training stadium.

Outdoor public table tennis.

Outdoor public fitness

The hotel tonight is much better and nice than the one at Macau.  Tourism is not the core business in Foshan and Foshan's area is large, so the hotels are cheaper.