Known as the Vegas of China, Macau sits on the southern part of China near Hong Kong.
It’s known as a popular tourist destination because of its gambling industry, which is seven times larger than the gambling industry in Vegas.
Aside from that, it has a rich history as a former colony of Portugal, melting the two Chinese and Portuguese cultures together.
The Historic Centre of Macau has also been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has more than 20 historical landmarks.
There are many things to do in Macau, from experiencing its many casinos to exploring its people’s culture.
Wondering what to do in Macau? Here are the top 10 things you can try!
- Visit the ruins of the Church of St. Paul
- Explore the heart of Old Macau at the Senate Square
- Climb up Guia Hill
- Visit Taipa Village
- Learn about history in Macau Museum
- Have fun at the Venetian Macau Casino
- Place some bets at the City of Dreams Casino
- Experience the A-ma Temple
- See the sights from Macau Tower
- Go on an adventure in Fisherman’s Wharf
Visit the ruins of the Church of St. Paul
Considered to be one of Macau’s top attraction, the Ruins of St. Paul’s is a 17th-century church left from the time of the Portuguese.
It was devastated in a fire in 1835, and most of what’s left are its intricate facade.
You can climb its 68 stone steps to the top where you can see a spectacular view of the city.
The landmark is always busy and can draw crowds, but it’s worth it for the history left behind.
The ruins are a part of Macau’s Historic Centre.
Explore the heart of Old Macau at the Senate Square
The Senate Square or Largo do Senado is another heritage site that had been preserved by the city.
It’s said to be located at the heart of Old Macau and is close to other attractions like the Ruins of St. Paul and the Holy House of Mercy.
The town square was a former meeting place of Chinese and Portuguese and where most important buildings of the time were.
It’s purely a tourist destination now with many old monuments and buildings.
Many events took place in the area like festivals and performances.
Climb up Guia Hill
A popular destination that shows the fusion of Chinese and Portuguese elements, Guia Hill is the site of three essential landmarks and a part of the Historic Centre of Macau.
The hill has the highest point on Macau and includes a Portuguese military fortress, a lighthouse, and a chapel.
The lighthouse was built in the 1860s and was the first western-style lighthouse in Asia.
You can go up the top where an observation platform is, where you can see an overlooking view of the city.
Visit Taipa Village
If you want to experience more of the Macanese culture, head on over to Taipa Village.
It’s a small community with a taste of the true Macau, having vintage houses, Portuguese architecture, and ancient temples.
You can also try some authentic Macau food with Food Street or Rua da Chunhna, giving you a variety of genuine Cantonese cuisine.
It provides a glimpse of what the local community looks like with their fair share of casinos.
Learn about history in Macau Museum
If museums are your thing, you have many options, but the biggest museum is the Macau Museum.
It’s a three-story building that’s on the Mount Fortress, another heritage site.
The museum highlights the changes that happened to the city, detailing Macau people’s history from being colonized by the Portuguese to present times.
It has a lot to offer and is a cultural gem you can’t miss.
Have fun at the Venetian Macau Casino
korkorkusung . Adobe Stock
There’s no doubt that there’s a lot of places you can try your luck at gambling, but how do you decide where?
The Venetian Macao is one of your best options.
It’s one of the largest casinos in the world and the largest single building structure in Asia.
The casino is modeled and owned by the same casino resort in Las Vegas with the same name.
You won’t run out of things to do here with about 800 gambling tables and over 3,000 slot machines.
You can also opt to stay in the resort, shop, or watch one of their shows to have that full experience.
Place some bets at the City of Dreams Casino
Another contender for the best casino in the city, the City of Dreams, is right across the Venetian at the Cotai Strip.
The City of Dreams tries to brand itself as the Venetian’s more stylish sister, saying it’s the hipper and younger version of the casino.
They have over 500 tables and more than 1000 slot machines to rival the Venetian.
The highlight of their entertainment scene in the House of Dancing Water, a water-based show with synchronized swimming.
Whether you choose the Venetian, the City of Dreams, or the other casinos in the strip, you definitely won’t regret the Macau nightlife.
Experience the A-ma Temple
Richie Chan . Adobe Stock
Dating back before the arrival of the Portuguese, the A-ma temple is one of the oldest Chinese temples in the city.
It’s a Taoist temple that’s dedicated to the goddess Mazu. Its age and history have made it an essential part of the community, representing the Macanese’ earlier religious beliefs.
The temple itself has six main parts with stone lions at the entrance.
It’s believed that the name Macau was actually from the temple.
See the sights from Macau Tower
You can’t miss this towering over the city, at the height of 338 m or 1,109 ft, this is the tallest building in the city.
The observation deck on top offers a jaw-dropping sight, said to be where you can see the best view of the town and the Macau skyline.
If you want more thrill, you can try their walking tour on the outer rim called Skywalk X.
For the daring, there’s also the Skyjump, the second-highest bungee jump in the world.
Other things you can do are to eat, shop, and watch a movie.
Go on an adventure in Fisherman’s Wharf
Kit Leong . Adobe Stock
Macau fisherman’s wharf is a theme park that took 5 years to complete. It’s an all-in-one destination with something for everybody.
It includes numerous shops, restaurants, a waterfront, and an amphitheater.
It’s an excellent destination if you’re looking for some of Macau’s nightlife.
Its shopping scene is also world-class with over 70 shops with different themed areas based on real-world cities like Miami, New Orleans, Amsterdam, among others.
These are only some of the things you can check out in the city!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where to stay in Macau?
There are a lot of options depending on what you’re in the city for and what your budget is. Some of the hotels you can try are Hotel Royal Macau, Grand Hyatt Macau, and Regency Art Hotel.
What language do they speak in Macau?
They primarily speak Cantonese and a version of Portuguese they call Macanese Portuguese.
Why is Macau called the City of Dreams?
The City of Dreams is one of the biggest casinos in the Cotai Strip. It may also be because of the gambling industry of the city.
What is Macau best known for?
Aside from its history and heritage, they’re known as a tourist destination for their gambling and resort industry!
