Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China, just like Hong Kong, which is a little further away. Macau is a bit of an odd man out. This is due to its Portuguese roots. Macau has been a Portuguese colony for over four hundred years. Macau was only handed over to China in 1999, with the result that the culture in Macau is unmistakably a mix of Portuguese and Chinese influences. The narrow streets, some buildings and squares do indeed remind you of Portugal. Most tourists who visit Macau do so because of the casinos. There are dozens of casinos in Macau, Taipa and Cotai, almost all of which are open 24 hours a day. Here come people from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and surrounding countries to gamble. Macau is therefore also called the Las Vegas of the East. Since the historic center of Macau is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, interest in the interesting culture of Macau is also growing. Check topmbadirectory for how to get to Macao, China.
Top 10 sights of Macau
#1. Cotai
On the reclaimed land of Cotai, a collection of casinos have sprung up that remind you of the Las Vegas Strip. Luxury hotels with thousands of rooms and of course also a casino that sometimes approaches the size of a football field together provide a unique piece of Macau. At the moment, this part of Macau is still being developed. New hotels and casinos are under construction. In a few years, Cotai will also be able to measure itself in terms of size with the American gambling city of Las Vegas. The first part of Cotai is probably not entirely coincidentally named ‘Cotai Strip’. Here are seven luxury hotels including shopping center ‘Sands’.
#2. Ruins of São Paulo
The remains of this former sixteenth century complex are visited by thousands of tourists every year. It is still one of the most visited historical part of the city of Macau. St. Paul’s Cathedral was built around 1600 and has almost always enjoyed prestige since then. It was even once known as the largest cathedral in Asia. Unfortunately, much was lost during a fire in 1835. Since 2005 the ruins are part of the Unesco World Heritage.
#3. Largo do Senado
The Portuguese influences are certainly reflected in the appearance of this famous square in Macau. The typical and specially designed floor can certainly be found in Portugal. Especially around the fountain there is a lot of fun to be found. It is therefore known as the main meeting place of the city. The Senado Square or Largo do Senado forms the historical center of the city. And when the lights are on at night it is considered the most romantic part of Macau.
#4. A-Ma Temple
Legend has it that Macau got its name from a special girl named A-Ma. This poor girl, after being refused many times by several seafarers, came aboard a simple fisherman. They were caught in a devastating storm and were miraculously unharmed. Where she landed unharmed she was elevated to the goddess of seafarers. This goddess is better known as goddess Tianhou or Tin Hau. The A-Ma Temple now stands on this site. You’ll find the A-Ma Temple on the southwestern tip of Macau. The Taoist temple from 1488 can be recognized by the concrete fence containing a red complex with a round hole. This complex also belongs to the Unesco Heritage.
#5. The Venetian
The largest hotel/casino in Macau is located on the Cotai Strip: The Venetian Macao. This $2 billion hotel is based on its sister hotel in Las Vegas. With 51,000 square meters of casino space, the nearly 3,000-suite hotel contains the largest casino in the world. No less than 3400 slot machines and 800 gambling tables are set up here. In the evening, a sound and light show is shown in front of the casino. This is free to admire, also for non-guests.
#6. Macau Science Center
On the Outer Harbor is a futuristically designed complex. This is the Macau Science Center. Both outside and inside it stimulates your senses. All kinds of tests, exhibitions, demonstrations and even a planetarium will captivate you in a very special way. For example, hurricanes, tornadoes and lightning bolts are simulated and discussed very professionally. Or can you help make molecular food. In any case, you always go home a lot wiser.
#7. Rua de Palha and Rua de San Paulo
These two well-known streets in the center of Macau are synonymous with shopping. Both modern shops and traditional shops can be found here in abundance. The shopping streets are completely car-free, which certainly benefits the public. You must have seen and/or tasted a number of special features here. You will find the famous Asian dried meat here. Usually it concerns dried pork, but also beef with or without different herbs and additives. A good example is the dried pork with honey.
#8. Lilau Square
The area around this square is known as the first Portuguese residential area of Macau. The typical atmosphere as you experience it in Portugal can be felt here. But the mix of China and Portugal is also nicely translated here. Just look at the nearby Mandarin house on Barra Street. Another well-known item at the Lilau Square is the fountain. This symbolizes the importance of Lilau’s groundwater, which was once Macau’s main natural source of spring water. It is still said that if you drink the water from Lilau, you will never forget Macau.
#9. Macau Tower
This 338 meter high tower offers the most stunning view over the city of Macau. In addition to its commercial use, the tower also functions as a communication tower, including restaurants, shopping centers, theaters and a large pedestrian promenade. The idea of this Macau Tower comes from the Sky Tower in Auckland New Zealand. Just like there, the Macau Tower is spectacularly lit up at night. Those who like to look for excitement are also in the right place in the Macau Tower. It is one of the possibilities to ‘bungy jump’ from it.
#10. The churches of Macau
The centuries-long presence of the Portuguese has resulted in a fairly large number of churches and chapels in Macau. And that while Catholics are only a minority in Macau. More than ninety percent of the population in Macau today is Buddhist. There are sometimes beautiful churches scattered across Macau. You will find five churches within the walking route of the historic downtown alone, including St. Augustine’s Church, St. Joseph’s Seminary Church and St. Lawrence Church.
