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Mobil Travel Guide >
Macau
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| MACAU |
Macau is in the midst of an incredible transformation, and is well on its way
to becoming the gaming center of the east, if not the world. Founded as a
trading post in 1557, Macau was run by the Portuguese for more than 442 years
before its return to China in 1999. As you'd expect after four centuries of
occupation, the colonizers made their mark on the territory, leaving behind
splendid architecture, fantastic food and colorful festivals.
Just an hour from Hong Kong, the tiny territory is home to dozens of new
international Vegas-style casinos and hotels that draw in more revenue yearly
than Sin City itself. Because it's the only place in China where it's legal to
gamble (and because Chinese culture prizes luck and good fortune), Macau is
teaming with visitors who come to test their luck in the sprawling, over-the-top
luxurious casinos.
There's also plenty to do once you leave the casino floor-luxury shopping,
dining, beaches and more are all within easy reach once you reach Macau. |
| CITY INFORMATION |
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Population: 545,700
Elevation: Sea Level to 172 m
Districts: n/a
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| WHAT TO SEE |
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Much of Macau's sightseeing-worthy attractions revolve around historical structures. Unlike their neighbors in Hong Kong, the Macanese have tended to strive toward preservation. Case in point? Macau has 25 heritage sites-many concentrated in the historic center-in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This area stretches from Barra Square to Dom Pedro V Theatre, and from the Protestant Cemetery to Na Tcha Temple. Some pre-colonial buildings date back to the 13th century, and many others signal colonial-era architecture.
One not-to-miss (and hard-to-miss) spot is the Ruinas de Sao Paulo, or the Ruins of St. Paul's. Once the largest Catholic cathedral in Asia, the structure burned down in 1835, leaving only the stone facade standing. There are also the exotic black sand beaches of the Cotai strip, and the world's smallest cable car to explore. And since Macau is so small, you can just walk over to almost all of these places. |
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