This former Portuguese colony has transformed into Asia's gambling capital, with 41 casinos, colonial churches, and traditional Chinese temples lining its narrow streets.
Macao, a 33-square-kilometer region on China's southern coast, generates gaming revenue seven times higher than Las Vegas. Walk through narrow streets to see the stone facade of St. Paul's Cathedral, incense-filled halls of A-Ma Temple, and the glittering towers of modern casinos. Stop at family-run bakeries for Portuguese egg tarts or join locals at Cantonese dim sum tables between visits to shows like The House of Dancing Water.
Getting Around Macao
The Macau Light Rapid Transit connects major areas including the airport, Taipa, and Cotai. High-speed ferries depart every 15 minutes between Macao and Hong Kong, with the journey taking about an hour. Within the city, public buses reach most neighborhoods, and the compact size makes walking practical in the older districts. Casino shuttle buses run free services between major locations.
Casino Districts and Entertainment
The Cotai Strip contains more than 20 casinos within integrated resorts. Each complex includes multiple restaurants, retail spaces, and performance venues. At City of Dreams, performers dive and dance through the air in the House of Dancing Water show, while at The Parisian, you can ride an elevator up a half-scale Eiffel Tower. In downtown Macao, the Casino Lisboa's gold-tinted glass exterior and dome-shaped roof have defined the skyline since 1970.
Historical Districts
The stone facade of St. Paul's Cathedral stands as the most photographed site in Macao, with carved biblical images and Asian motifs dating to the 1600s. Next door, Monte Fort houses the Macao Museum, which documents the city's role in maritime trade between China and Europe. At A-Ma Temple from 1488, six pavilions honor different deities, and the scent of incense fills the air as visitors climb the stone stairs between altars.
Local Food Scene
Macanese cooking evolved through 400 years of Portuguese and Chinese influences. Try African chicken with coconut and spices, minchi (ground meat with potatoes and soy sauce), or bacalhau (salt cod) prepared in dozens of ways. Small restaurants around Senado Square serve these dishes alongside street food. At Tai Lei Loi Kei, cooks grill pork chops for sandwiches, while Lord Stow's bakers have made their famous egg tarts since 1989.
Annual Events
Each November, Formula Three cars speed through city streets at up to 275km/h during the Macau Grand Prix. In June, over 100 teams compete in dragon boat races on Nam Van Lake. Chinese New Year brings fireworks over the harbor and lion dance performances through the streets. During October's Lusofonia Festival, Portuguese bands play at the Taipa Houses-Museum while food vendors serve specialties from Portuguese-speaking countries.
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