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Introduction
Macau, though often mentioned in the same breath as Hong Kong, is an intrinsically different place and worthy of a trip in its own right.
Occupying just 10 square miles on the other side of the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong and due south of mainland Zhuhai, Macau has a population of 500,000. It is comprised of the Macau Peninsula and two small islands, Taipa and Coloane, linked to the mainland by bridges and increasingly more reclaimed land. But they say beautiful things come in small packages and Macau’s period of Portuguese rule has lent it a distinctly European flavor, which complements its natural beauty.
It has a range of attractions, from stunning Portuguese architecture to beaches, temples and, most importantly for the Chinese, casinos. For this reason, and its annual November Grand Prix, Macau has been labeled “the Monte Carlo of the Orient.” Despite its international airport, its grand prix and much recent construction since gambling laws were liberalized in 2002, Macau retains an enchantingly slow pace, making it a great place to unwind for a few days.
Central Macau’s architectural wonders were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005 and with good reason. The bulk of Macau’s sights are found on the Macau Peninsula, many within easy walking distance of the central Largo do Senado.
For sights farther from the center, bus numbers are given. However, if you only have a short time and want a guide to show you round the sights, most hotels have travel agencies who can arrange private and group tours. Or try Gray Line on Rua do Campo who run a variety of half-day and full-day group trips, as well as private chauffeur-driven tours for a minimum period of three hours.
Macau
in a day. Macau’s heady mix of splendid colonial architecture, pretty beaches, evocative temples and fine food are certainly worthy of a few days of your time. But if you only have a day you should not miss a walk through the historic center to the Ruins of St. Paul’s Basilica and the Mount Fortress, a trip to the A-Ma Temple, some sumptuous Macanese food and, if you’re feeling lucky, a trip to the casino.
Orientation
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The bulk of amenities and sights are enclosed within the shoe-shaped parcel of land that is the Macau Peninsula. The peninsula is a patchwork of modern casinos, hotels and skyscrapers, at odds with the cobbled streets and
Portuguese architecture of yesteryear, whose centrepieces are the imposing Leal Senado, the Ruins of St. Paul’s Basilica and, looking over it all, the Mount Fortress.
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Largo do Senado
The principal street in this area, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, is locally known as San Malo and lends its name to the surrounding area, which encapsulates most of Macau’s historic sights. San Malo runs southeast from the Porto Interior and is where you’ll find much of the city’s budget accommodation. It leads to the focal point of the old city, the open plaza of Largo do Senado (largo means square in Portuguese) and then continues onto the grand and gaudy Lisboa Casino.
In the southwest of the peninsula, Penha and Barra hills have many of the territory’s grandest residences and lead to the manmade Sai Van and Nam Van lakes. On the triangle of land between the lakes you’ll find Macau’s tallest building, the Macau Tower, which is over 1,100 feet tall.
Much of the peninsula’s modern growth has been focused on an oblong strip of reclaimed land on its eastern flank known as Nape. This is Macau’s business district but is also home to the bar strip of Avenida Dr. Sun Yatsen, a new restaurant development at Fisherman’s Wharf, the ferry terminal and the territory’s grandest casino to date, Sands.
Not so long ago the small islands of Taipa and Coloane and their smattering of beaches, farmland, fishing villages, ruined churches and temples were blissfully free of development. However these days, Taipa is little more than a continuation of the peninsula, although there are still quaint pockets of decaying architecture and some good restaurants.
Another reclamation project, the Cotai strip between Taipa and Coloane, will bring a string of new casinos and promises to make Macau “Asia’s Las Vegas.” Coloane itself has thus far escaped the attention of developers and still offers a slice of rural life along with a few good hotels and restaurants.
See also:
Macau Sightseeing - Architectural Treasures
Macau Sightseeing - Churches & Temples
Macau Sightseeing – Parks
Sightseeing – Taipa and Coloane
Macau museums
Macau history
Events and festivals in Macau
Macau adventures : Bungee, Golf, Gambling, Casinos, Watersports
Macau Walks – St. Malo, Churches, Coloane
How to get to Macau
How to get around Macau
Entry requirements (visa)
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