Macau is a special administrative region of China. It is a small peninsula near the province of Guangdong, which is connected to the mainland by bridges and long stretches of road. This region is rich in culture, relying on tourism and trade for its economy.
Macau was also previously colonized by Portugal in the 16th century, and only returned to China in 1999. Being a special administrative state, it functions under the “one country, two systems” rule, meaning it is a capitalist area.
Today it is known as the ‘Vegas of Asia’. Many visitors bask in the opulence or take in the wonderful culture that the region has to offer.
Why people visit Macau
Beautiful architecture
Because of its colonial history, Macau has a mix of European and Asian architecture. The region’s historic center even made it to the World Heritage List, making them worthwhile locations to visit. Senado Square is located at the heart of central Macau Peninsula and has bright Italian architecture that was the center for civic affairs. Today, it is a prominent area that tourists often take walking tours around. There are also the nearby Ruins of St. Paul’s – a cathedral that burned in an 1835 fire.
Those interested in the Chinese culture can also visit a multitude of locations such as the Na Tcha Temple, Lou Kau Mansion, and Mandarin’s House.
Fun experiences
Macau is also the place to be when it comes to entertainment. Aside from its historical buildings, the area is home to magnificent activities such as bungee jumping from Macau Tower and enjoying the view from Hac Sa Beach. It is also home to many popular casinos where players can experience lavish elegance while placing bets.
After spending hours at a poker table, you can also enjoy some of the other exciting casino experiences in Macau. For example, a canal and gondolas surround the Venetian. Wynn Palace also offers cable car rides to get a bird’s eye view of the hotel’s Performance Lake. Parisien, another hotel with a world-class casino, lets visitors climb their Eiffel Tower replica.
These exciting activities are just one of the main attractions that tourists can make the most of in Macau.
Great food
Food is an integral part of culture, and with Macau’s cultural heritage mix, there are many delicacies that the region has to offer. Visitors can savor the Macanese version of pastel de nata — a Portuguese egg custard tart pastry. Lord Stow’s Bakery is one of the most known across the globe for this dessert, which is definitely a must-try. The region also offers savory dishes such as minchi (minced beef with potatoes and onions), pork chop buns, and gambas a Macau (fried chili prawns).
Foodies from all over the world will surely enjoy the cuisine that Macau has to offer.
How to get there
For international travelers, the easiest way to get to Macau is by flying there. Our past article on useful ‘Tips on Getting the Cheapest Flights’ explains how there are things you can do to get the best bang for your buck. You can opt to book a trip with connections to lower costs if you don’t mind having layovers in between. You can also use credit card rewards as many airlines let you convert them into miles or give discounts to certain banks.
Another way you can make the most out of the trip is by seeing two places at once. You can easily take a ferry to Macau from Shenzhen or Hong Kong. They offer passes for visitors who only plan to stay for a day. This means you can make it a stop when visiting China.
Macau is a beautiful region filled with history, culture, and entertainment. It is definitely a worthy place to visit for tourists all over the world.
