Macau

Las Vegas Strip of the East, Macau (also spelt Macao) is a territory located in southeast China. Like its formerly British neighbour Hong Kong, Macau is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China.

Macau is geographically divided into three main regions, a peninsula and two islands.

The Macau Peninsula is the northernmost region, connecting to the Chinese mainland. It is the center of most tourist activity and is densely crowded.

Taipa , (Tamzai in Cantonese) is an island to the south of the peninsula, accessible via three bridges. It is a major residential centre and is the location of Macau's International Airport.

Coloane (Lowan in Cantonese) is an island further to the south. It is considerably less developed than the other regions, with beaches, hiking trails and resorts. It is also the location of Macau's only golf course, though a second one is being built on the Cotai landfill.

Cotai can be considered a fourth region. It is an area of reclaimed land joining Taipa and Coloane, making them essentially into a single island. It is being massively developed, with casinos, sports stadiums, a golf course and other facilities being built. It is being billed as the Las Vegas Strip of the East. There is also a bridge that connects Cotai to the Chinbese mainland.

As the first and last European colony in China, Macau has more visible colonial history than Hong Kong. Walking through the old city you could convince yourself you were in Europe, if the streets were devoid of people, that is. The Portuguese population continues to maintain a presence, but most of the population is native Chinese.

Besides the city itself, Macau includes the islands of Taipa and Coloane, which are connected by bridges and a causeway.

Speakers of Portuguese won't find it very useful when talking to local residents, but it can help in understanding place names and signs. Many local people do understand simple English.

Cantonese is the most commonly spoken language of Macao. Mandarin is also widely spoken, especially by the educated.

Things To See and Do

The Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral

The Ruins are the city's most famous landmark.

Largo do Senado

Is a colorful typical Iberian town square at the heart of the City.

The A-Ma Temple

The Temple is perhaps the most famous Chinese temple in Macau. It's near the southern tip of the peninsula, on the west side.

Maritime Museum

Exhibits on Macau's seafaring history.

Macau Tower

From the tower you have a great view over Macau and Taipa.

The East India Company Cemetery

(Also known as the Old Protestant Cemetery) is a lovely little piece of England in Macau. Look out for the grave of the Right Honourable Lord H.I. Spencer Churchill, ancestor of Winston Churchill, and also for the grave of the painter George Chinnery.

The Cemeterio de São Miguel Arcanjo

(Saint Michael the Archangel Cemetery), a classic example of Sino-Portuguese Culture. A great place for lovers of angel statues.

The Kun Iam Tong

A large, old Buddhist temple to the north of downtown. It's a little out of the way, but is definitely worth a visit if you're into temples.

Na-Tcha Temple

Tucked in the corner of a cobblestone square to the left of the ruins of St. Paul's is the tiny Na-Tcha Temple, dedicated to the Chinese deity Prince Nata.

The Casino Lisboa

Gambling is Macau's biggest industry, and boatloads arrive from Hong Kong on weekends to try their luck. Most casinos are along the waterfront, the most famous being the Casino Lisboa, and the second most famous is Gold Sand Casino, which opened in 2004.

The Lisboa offers an older world Macau feel on its gaming floors, structured in a labyrinth of different clubs and rooms for various levels of play. Tables here play in both MOP and HKD.

The Sands offers a more open Las Vegas feel along with a smoke-free gaming room, the Pearl Room. Tables at the Sands play almost exclusively in HKD. There are ATM machines available at either casino as well as forex facilities to change your money. Gamblers are required to be of 18 years to be allowed to play.