More dollars are gambled in Macau these days than in Las Vegas. Did you know that? Nor did I, though it’s been the case for some time. And that’s not all: Macau also looks likely to overtake Hong Kong, as a tourist destination. Now that really is a surprise. Last year, Hong Kong had around 28 million visitors; Macau hit 27 million – and the place has less than half a million residents! Flabbergasting.
Photo by jdiggans
Yes, Macau tourism is booming, and it’s not all based on the roll of the dice. Casinos are the big thing, obviously, but there’s plenty to keep the non-gambler occupied. I know this, because I fall into that category. I can barely tell a spade from a club. Or whatever. But let's get our priorities right and talk about casinos later. Let's deal with first thing first, and, interestingly, Macau was China's very first European colony.
The Portuguese settled there in the mid-1500s and left in 1999, two years after the British handed back Hong Kong. So, it has historic attractions – really different, really charming ones, Chinese and Portuguese. There’s Guia Fortress (fab views) whose lighthouse was the first to shine on the South China Sea; an absolutely intriguing old Chinese house (Lou Kau Mansion; second photo), and gorgeous Portuguese architecture in the old city centre (top picture). See Senado Square and Leal Senado; St Augustine Square; follow the mosaic pavement from Senado to the ruins of St Paul’s; see the Cathedral, the remains of the 16th century city walls and the Moorish Barracks. Don't miss the World Heritage-classified A-Ma Temple (last photo). The historic area of Macau is small, but it holds a lot of treasures.
Photo by Cloodlebing and Great Kindness
Now more or less joined by land reclamation and a new town called Cotai, Macau’s two islands (Coloane and Taipa) are rapidly developing. Coloane is still the quieter. Taipa is linked to the mainland by bridges over the Pearl River, and has a very picturesque village at its heart. Gamblers take note: the Macau Jockey Club, with three race-days per week, is on this island, and don’t miss the Taipa House Museum – it’s great. Speaking of museums, back in Macau itself, there's the small but interesting (and possibly unique) Pawnshop Museum: oh, those poor gamblers. There's also the impressive Museum of Macau by St Paul’s.
And then, sigh, there’s the gambling. There are casinos big and small, including Vegas-style casino resorts with Vegas-style entertainment and sumptuous (see photo three) facilities. Don’t take my ill-informed word: take a look here. Or here. Mind-boggling stuff. Remember to tear yourself away from the roulette tables from time to time, and head for the dining ones instead. Macau’s food is superb: Portuguese and Macanese, and you need to sample both. Macanese cuisine has hints of Africa, Brazil and India – oh, YUM. Try the African chicken, chilli shrimps, curry crab, the sweet, creamy, inimitable Portuguese egg tart. Who cares about gambling? Go to Macau to EAT!
Photo by tsechuen26
When you’ve had enough of gambling, history and food, there’s the Macau Tower (a bit like the Sydney Tower), which offers the second-highest bungy jump in the world. You can also take a vertigo-inducing walk around the outside (oops, no safety-rail) and the pièce de résistance, a two-hour climb up 100 metres of vertical ladders on the tower’s mast. Thanks, but I won’t be joining you.
So, food, gambling, history, adrenalin…and there’s more. If you’re into cars and bikes, go for Macau Grand Prix: a week of car (Formula 3) and motorcycle racing in November each year. If you’re into the spectacular, there’s the annual International Fireworks Display contest (September). Both are great reasons to visit Macau – but you’ll need to book in advance as they’re very popular.
Finally, there’s the Fisherman’s Wharf theme park, which brings Amsterdam, Venice, Miami, Cape Town and, er, Ancient Rome to Macau, plus …wait for it…a volcano. All good fun, if a little OTT. Naturally, there’s a casino there too. That's not it in the picture; that's the A-Ma temple.
Photo by dawvon
There are frequent ferries from Hong Kong Island to Macau, 24 hours a day. The trip takes around an hour, depending on sea conditions. There’s a service from Kowloon too, but sailings aren’t as numerous. Best of all, if you’re arriving in Hong Kong by air and transferring straight to Macau, is the excellent airport ferry. This allows you to avoid HKG arrival formalities; ferries leave from the airport’s Sky Pier. Bon voyage!
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