The impression of Macau is of high-rise buildings, luxury, Ruins of St. Paul's, Portuguese culture, countless snacks and so on. As the number of tourists in Macau increases, a few scenic spots and hotels are becoming more and more popular. On the contrary, some old streets that were once prosperous have become relatively deserted. In fact, many streets and alleys in Macau are worth visiting. Unlike the mainland, these old streets are relatively well-preserved, and some have a history of hundreds of years. Walking in the old streets, you can see not only the history of Macau, but also the history of the Chinese people.
There is a street in Macau that left a deep impression on me, because the name of this street is very interesting. It is called October 5th Street. It was named by the Portuguese. To commemorate the Portuguese Revolution on October 5, 1910. In addition to their names, the old shops on this street are also full of history. Because it is close to the pier, this old street was once one of the busiest streets in Macau. The famous Hong Kong TVB TV series "Macau Street" tells the story of this old street.
Although it seems a lot deserted nowadays, those rare and time-honored shops still make people stop. Macau is a bit like Japan in this regard. Many people have been running their own small shops throughout their lives, and they have even been working on it for generations. This seems to be a hidden mission.
For example, the old restaurant Nanping Yaxu on the street has been in business since 1969. It is also the first air-conditioned restaurant in Macau. Nanping is the name of my hometown, and Yaxu adds to the elegant charm. The store is decorated in light green, and many people are drinking tea, eating small cakes, reading newspapers, and letting time flow slowly.
On the old street, people like to go to Pinfang Bakery to buy pastries. They see the couple not talking much and focusing on their work. Little did they know that they are already the third generation of this store. The old store has a history of 85 years, but the taste of this store remains the same. This store is also the most famous for its mooncakes, which are sold out almost every time before the Dragon Boat Festival arrives. Local old Macanese know this store very well. However, the shop owner himself does not know whether there will be a fourth generation to inherit it. On the one hand, he has no descendants and can only pass it on to his nephew. On the other hand, it is difficult for young people nowadays to focus on these traditions. In terms of handicrafts, I am afraid that they are also in danger of being lost. From 1936 to the present, this store is a witness to Macau’s history.
On the old street, there is a particularly inconspicuous stall selling roasted pork rice. It is said to be called Fenji roasted pork. I didn’t even find the brand. . This old restaurant is known as the most awesome barbecue restaurant in Macau. Our Macau friend who accompanied us said that this is the most delicious barbecue restaurant in the world. If it weren't for the epidemic, there would usually be long queues here, and it would only be open for two hours at noon. The old man in the shop has been running this shop for more than 40 years. He started cooking it when he was 14 years old, and now he does it himself. Watching him cut chicken and duck on the cutting board very fast, just watching it makes me happy. Very interesting.
There is an old teahouse on the old street called "Dalongfeng". In Cantonese, "Dalongfeng" means big scene. This teahouse has a history of more than 70 years. Nowadays, there are Cantonese performances from 3pm to 7pm every day. This may also be the only remaining Cantonese opera tea house in Macau. We didn't have to wait to watch the show. We just walked around the store and looked at the photos of famous actors hanging on the wall. We were already full of admiration for this store. This is a testimony of the accumulation of time.
On this old street, there are dozens of restaurants and drink shops, all of which are very popular, as well as various century-old cake shops, pharmacies, tea shops, etc. We also encountered a tea shop here, Hualian Tea Shop. This place was actually opened by the "Tea King of Macau", and the old gentleman was in the shop.
The old man Zeng Zhihui is 85 years old and full of energy. He rose to prominence in his 20s when he was young. He used Macao's platform to sell Chinese tea to the world and made a huge contribution to the foreign exchange for China's tea export. Interestingly, before selling tea, he was a wine seller and was considered the "Macau Wine King". Hualian Tea Company was established in 1965 until today.
On the fifth day of October, every corner of this old street seems to be full of stories, and every shop has its own story. There is another landmark attraction in the old street: Kangzhenjun Temple, which also has a long history. It is said that in 1860, this was a bay near the sea. Someone picked up a wooden statue on the beach and built a temple to worship it. Gradually, it became popular and became small in scale. I saw two children doing homework and playing inside, and I couldn't help but sigh. Over the years, generations have grown up here.
PS: There is also a Fifth of October road in Coloane at the southern end of Macau. If you go there, be careful not to take the wrong one. In addition, the nearby Royal Capital Hotel is very cost-effective. The current epidemic has just passed, the price is very cheap, the set menu is also very suitable, and the Portuguese cuisine is also worth recommending.
PPS: Macau has very strict protection against the epidemic. You must wear a mask and check the health code wherever you go. Except for medium and high-risk areas, no one is required to quarantine when traveling to or from Macau.