Macau is a tiny slice of Portugal smack dab in the middle of the Far East. It is challenging to believe that only 60 kilometers from Hong Kong’s urban jungle, well-preserved colonial architecture, and cobblestone streets exist and await exploration.
Walk through the busy streets up to the cathedral’s ruins, and you’ll notice the city’s rich history all around you. Surprise, Macau’s historic center, has been named one of China’s most important World Heritage Sites.
Jump To The Content
Tourist Attractions of Macau
The House of Dancing Water
The House of Dancing Water provides excellent entertainment. It is the world’s largest water show, housed in its 2,000-seat, custom-built theater, and the attraction costs $250 million to build. The show is 90 minutes long and features some of the world’s best gymnasts, circus artists, dancers, divers, and motorcyclists. Renowned theatre director Franco Dragone produces it. The stage transforms from a massive pool to a dry stage in seconds, and the sheer technical brilliance of it will astound you.
Studio City
This US$3.2 billion cinematically themed leisure resort offers a variety of entertainment options, including Golden Reel, the world’s first and tallest figure-eight Ferris wheel, and The House of Magic. In this theatre show, you can see some of the world’s greatest magicians at work. The newest attraction is Batman Dark Flight, a 4D flight simulation ride that is the world’s first of its kind.
The Macau Tower
The Macau Tower holds the Guinness World Record for having the highest commercial bungee jump in the world, at 233m (764 ft.). The 360°Café, Macau’s highest revolving restaurant, is also housed in the tower, providing panoramic city views.
A-Ma Temple
A-Ma Temple is the city’s oldest Chinese temple and is considered the source of Macau’s name. The temple is an exemplary representation of Chinese culture inspired by Confucianism due to the variety of pavilions dedicated to worshipping various deities in a single complex.
Taipa village
Taipa village is an excellent example of Macau’s East meets the West character, with Portuguese and Mediterranean influences alongside Chinese architectural features, providing a detailed model of the region’s rich cultural heritage and historic beauty. Museums and colonial churches coexist with Chinese temples in this refreshing alternative to the casino area.
Macau Maritime Museum
Macau’s harbor was a central trading post in the region and is an essential part of the city’s history. This ship-shaped museum is located at Barra Pagoda, where the Portuguese first landed. The highlights are the highlights of the interactive displays detailing the maritime histories of Portugal and China, the gallery of aquariums, and the mock-ups of boats – including a schooner.
Grand Resort Deck
This water wonderland inside Galaxy Macau is the go-to place to cool down during the long, hot summer months. It covers an area of 75,000m2 (807,293 ft.2) and includes multiple swimming pools, a large white sand beach, and the world’s largest Skytop Wave Pool. The other attractions are waterslides, beach lagoons, white water rapids, geysers, waterfalls, and Macau’s largest kid’s aquatic zone.
The Ruins of St. Paul’s
The imposing Renaissance façade of St. Paul’s Cathedral, a Macau landmark standing at the top of a broad flight of granite steps, is all that’s left of what used to be thought of as the best Christian building in the Far East. After the original church was destroyed by fire in 1601, a new one was finished in 1637 and was constructed by Christians driven from Japan. It was designed after the Church of the Gesù in Rome.
In 1835, a typhoon and a fire destroyed the church, but the facade still shows some of the cathedral’s former beauty.
According to a sign above the door, the church honors the Mother of God. There are also figures of Jesuit saints and a lot of relief ornaments that stand out.
If you can only travel for a day, consider taking a guided tour. On a Macau City Sightseeing Tour, you can see St. Paul’s Ruins, A-Ma Temple, and many other popular Macau attractions.
The lovely Travessa da Paixao, also known locally as Love Lane, is just around the corner. Photographers love this narrow street with beautifully restored pink-colored buildings.
Senado Square
Senado Square (Senate Square) in Macau’s historic heart is a delightful pedestrian area where you will most likely begin your visit. The Municipal Council now lives in the beautiful old Senate building, Macau’s finest example of Portuguese colonial architecture.
Built-in 1784, the exquisite façade was added in 1870, and the entire structure was restored in 1940. The Senate Library and the Council Chamber, which have beautiful wood walls with over 50,000 rare manuscripts, some dating back more than 500 years, are interior highlights.
The square is also great for shopping and eating at European and Chinese cuisine restaurants. It also has a few other tourist attractions, such as the 17th-century St. Dominic’s Church.
The Guia Fortress
Guia Fortress is a green oasis in the heart of Macao, just a short walk from the high-speed ferry terminal. Hiking trails or a short cable car ride provide access. At the top, you’ll find stunning views of Macau, as well as old cannons, a small chapel with well-preserved frescoes from the 1600s, and a 91-meter-high lighthouse (close to the entry).
Explore the fortress’s public tunnels; some are near the lighthouse, while others are near the cable car entrance. Exhibits and photos detailing the area’s military history can be found throughout the fortress.
Coloane Island and Hac Sa Beach
The island of Coloane, connected to the mainland by a bridge and causeway, is south of the Macau Peninsula, past the island of Taipa, and should be on your list of things to do in Macau. Visitors are often surprised to learn that Coloane is an island of pine forests, tropical vegetation, eucalyptus groves, farmland, and some beautiful white sand beaches.
The most well-known of these beaches is Hac Sa Beach on the island’s east coast. The beach area, which is part of Coloane Park, includes a recreation complex with facilities for swimming, tennis, mini-golf, and other fun amusements.
Cheoc Van Beach, located at the island’s southern tip, is also worth a visit. Coloane Village and Tam Chin Temple, famous for its whalebone ship model with a wooden dragon’s head, a mix of old Chinese and colonial buildings with a charming little chapel dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, and a monument commemorating a successful Portuguese action against pirates in 1910, are also worth a visit.
The Free SkyCab at Wynn Palace Resort
A cable car ride at the Wynn Palace is one of the fun and free things to do in Macau. The Skycab soars above Performance Lake, and if you time it correctly, you’ll be able to see the dancing fountains in all their glory. As you glide along, a narration with music explains the sights.
The Skycab is most dramatic in the evening when the neon lights of the Coati Strip are at their brightest. When the ride suddenly turns, keep an eye out for the giant dragon and his glowing red eyes.
The journey lasts about five minutes and concludes inside the hotel. You can ride as many times as you want but must queue each time. Skycabs are fully air-conditioned and seat six passengers.
Read more: Italy’s Most Attractive Places.
Hey, lovely folks out there! This is Shajia Ferdous, a traveller. Last few years I have been travelling with my partner or friends.
Let’s Pack The Bag is all about traveling and for travellers. You can find mind-blowing ideas of holiday destinations or places you want to visit once in a lifetime. Find me on Instagram, Twitter , Linkedin or Pinterest here. Thank You.
Hi, its nice post concerning media print, we all be familiar with media is a wonderful source
of facts.