Map is a product of human civilisation. It does reflect the changes of a place, sea and even mulberry fields. Antique maps, however, have recorded all these changes more vividly. It was ever said that with a map in hand, one could reach anywhere in the world though. Maps have greatly boosted in the development of commerce and travel business. And despite map of marine channels that have put forward the development of navigation by leaps and bounds, it have made possible for the westerners to bring this business to its summit.
The Provisional Municipal Council of Macao has the honour to host this map exhibition, aiming to learn from the past. All the 56 antique maps on the display have kept a good record of Macao’s ancient geographical features including the location of the streets and roads.
One of them is an English Travel Guidance published in Hong Kong in 1895 with a scene of Macao during that period. And it also has a sketch of Macao’s streets attached. This book begins to introduce Macao’s historical background and the ferry services between Hong Kong, Macao and Guangzhou. Together with some highly detailed information such as the departure time from Hong Kong to Macao, which was at 2:00 pm and the return trip at 8:00 am.
The guidance informed the currency used in Macao at that time, which was the same as in Hong Kong and Guangzhou; a single way ticket was $3 and dinner was charged $1.5. (Including wine). There were 6 ships owned by the “Shipping Company of Hong Kong, Guangzhou & Macao” with connections between Hong Kong, Macao and Guangzhong. A hotel called “Boa Vista” is charged $4 for one-night rent and a hotel named Hing Kee’s Hotel (transliteration) was also in record but the price was not mentioned. The sedan chairs and rickshaws for rent charged 5 cents for a short run, 15 cents for an hour and 80 cents for a one-day or seven-hour service. There were also some boats called Sampanas for rent. The ordinary and large travel boat was charged 15 and 20 cents respectively. While the Hakkas boat was charged 30 cents for a one-hour tour.
It elaborated some places of interests including various spots such as temples, churches and also proposed an interesting suggestion by visiting the fantan hall in Rua dos Jogos. The basic method of this gambling is also introduced in the book. Moreover, this book has given a vivid description of the prosperous streets after sunset, like for example; to visit at the tea works, silk factories, opium-producing factories, opium- smoking halls and tobacco works. Although it is said that this tobacco works was the largest one in South China, tobacco making in the works adopted all handwork in each production link. From these descriptions, the gambling business and industry in Macao were making good progress during that period.
By learning from the past, we believe that Macao will make good achievements in the fresh millennium, thus a good start of a new economic boom.
Great gratitude is to be extended to the map collector of Hong Kong, Mr. Tam Siu Cheong, for all his contribution to this characteristic exhibition by lending his collections generously. Let the audience learn about the historical setting of each map and share the pleasure of collecting maps together with him. Mr. Tam has written an introduction to them while fully engaged. Our sincere thanks are also given to Mr. Chan Vai Hang for his grand article, which guides us to learn more about the modern history of Macao and China through the maps.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Forword from Ma Kam Keong Chief of Recreation and Culture Department of the Provisional Municipal Council of Macao
Forward
Map is a product of human civilisation. It does reflect the changes of a place, sea and even mulberry fields. Antique maps, however, have recorded all these changes more vividly. It was ever said that with a map in hand, one could reach anywhere in the world though. Maps have greatly boosted in the development of commerce and travel business. And despite map of marine channels that have put forward the development of navigation by leaps and bounds, it have made possible for the westerners to bring this business to its summit.
The Provisional Municipal Council of Macao has the honour to host this map exhibition, aiming to learn from the past. All the 56 antique maps on the display have kept a good record of Macao’s ancient geographical features including the location of the streets and roads.
One of them is an English Travel Guidance published in Hong Kong in 1895 with a scene of Macao during that period. And it also has a sketch of Macao’s streets attached. This book begins to introduce Macao’s historical background and the ferry services between Hong Kong, Macao and Guangzhou. Together with some highly detailed information such as the departure time from Hong Kong to Macao, which was at 2:00 pm and the return trip at 8:00 am.
The guidance informed the currency used in Macao at that time, which was the same as in Hong Kong and Guangzhou; a single way ticket was $3 and dinner was charged $1.5. (Including wine). There were 6 ships owned by the “Shipping Company of Hong Kong, Guangzhou & Macao” with connections between Hong Kong, Macao and Guangzhong. A hotel called “Boa Vista” is charged $4 for one-night rent and a hotel named Hing Kee’s Hotel (transliteration) was also in record but the price was not mentioned. The sedan chairs and rickshaws for rent charged 5 cents for a short run, 15 cents for an hour and 80 cents for a one-day or seven-hour service. There were also some boats called Sampanas for rent. The ordinary and large travel boat was charged 15 and 20 cents respectively. While the Hakkas boat was charged 30 cents for a one-hour tour.
It elaborated some places of interests including various spots such as temples, churches and also proposed an interesting suggestion by visiting the fantan hall in Rua dos Jogos. The basic method of this gambling is also introduced in the book. Moreover, this book has given a vivid description of the prosperous streets after sunset, like for example; to visit at the tea works, silk factories, opium-producing factories, opium- smoking halls and tobacco works. Although it is said that this tobacco works was the largest one in South China, tobacco making in the works adopted all handwork in each production link. From these descriptions, the gambling business and industry in Macao were making good progress during that period.
By learning from the past, we believe that Macao will make good achievements in the fresh millennium, thus a good start of a new economic boom.
Great gratitude is to be extended to the map collector of Hong Kong, Mr. Tam Siu Cheong, for all his contribution to this characteristic exhibition by lending his collections generously. Let the audience learn about the historical setting of each map and share the pleasure of collecting maps together with him. Mr. Tam has written an introduction to them while fully engaged. Our sincere thanks are also given to Mr. Chan Vai Hang for his grand article, which guides us to learn more about the modern history of Macao and China through the maps.
Map is a product of human civilisation. It does reflect the changes of a place, sea and even mulberry fields. Antique maps, however, have recorded all these changes more vividly. It was ever said that with a map in hand, one could reach anywhere in the world though. Maps have greatly boosted in the development of commerce and travel business. And despite map of marine channels that have put forward the development of navigation by leaps and bounds, it have made possible for the westerners to bring this business to its summit.
The Provisional Municipal Council of Macao has the honour to host this map exhibition, aiming to learn from the past. All the 56 antique maps on the display have kept a good record of Macao’s ancient geographical features including the location of the streets and roads.
One of them is an English Travel Guidance published in Hong Kong in 1895 with a scene of Macao during that period. And it also has a sketch of Macao’s streets attached. This book begins to introduce Macao’s historical background and the ferry services between Hong Kong, Macao and Guangzhou. Together with some highly detailed information such as the departure time from Hong Kong to Macao, which was at 2:00 pm and the return trip at 8:00 am.
The guidance informed the currency used in Macao at that time, which was the same as in Hong Kong and Guangzhou; a single way ticket was $3 and dinner was charged $1.5. (Including wine). There were 6 ships owned by the “Shipping Company of Hong Kong, Guangzhou & Macao” with connections between Hong Kong, Macao and Guangzhong. A hotel called “Boa Vista” is charged $4 for one-night rent and a hotel named Hing Kee’s Hotel (transliteration) was also in record but the price was not mentioned. The sedan chairs and rickshaws for rent charged 5 cents for a short run, 15 cents for an hour and 80 cents for a one-day or seven-hour service. There were also some boats called Sampanas for rent. The ordinary and large travel boat was charged 15 and 20 cents respectively. While the Hakkas boat was charged 30 cents for a one-hour tour.
It elaborated some places of interests including various spots such as temples, churches and also proposed an interesting suggestion by visiting the fantan hall in Rua dos Jogos. The basic method of this gambling is also introduced in the book. Moreover, this book has given a vivid description of the prosperous streets after sunset, like for example; to visit at the tea works, silk factories, opium-producing factories, opium- smoking halls and tobacco works. Although it is said that this tobacco works was the largest one in South China, tobacco making in the works adopted all handwork in each production link. From these descriptions, the gambling business and industry in Macao were making good progress during that period.
By learning from the past, we believe that Macao will make good achievements in the fresh millennium, thus a good start of a new economic boom.
Great gratitude is to be extended to the map collector of Hong Kong, Mr. Tam Siu Cheong, for all his contribution to this characteristic exhibition by lending his collections generously. Let the audience learn about the historical setting of each map and share the pleasure of collecting maps together with him. Mr. Tam has written an introduction to them while fully engaged. Our sincere thanks are also given to Mr. Chan Vai Hang for his grand article, which guides us to learn more about the modern history of Macao and China through the maps.
