Macau the Las Vegas of Asia

Amazing Macau is an autonomous region on the south coast of China, across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong. It has been given the nickname “Las Vegas of Asia”. For over 300 years it was a Portuguese colony. Here you can see many amazing things like ancient Chinese temples and buildings with a mix of impressive architecture.

The Macau Peninsula includes the old city center and further south are the conjoined islands of Taipa, Cotai, and Coloane. Visitors can find preserved Macanese architecture in Taipa, the new mega-casinos in Cotai, and colonial villages and lovely beaches in Coloane.

The most treasured icon in Macau with a towering facade and stairway is all that remains of the Church of St. Paul, a 17th-century Jesuit church. It was designed by an Italian Jesuit and completed by early Japanese Christian exiles and Chinese craftsmen in 1602. It was a fire in 1835 that destroyed almost everything. There are many interesting and spiritual carvings on the facade. Behind it is a steel staircase which visitors can climb to the top.

For awesome views of the city and surroundings head for the highest point on the peninsula, Guia Fort. At the top visitors will find the amazing Chapel of Our Lady of Guia, built in 1622 and still retaining most of the original features like some of Asia’s most valuable frescoes. Next to it is the oldest modern lighthouse on the China coast dating from 1865. The lighthouse is a 15m tall structure which is closed to the public.

If you prefer you can take the Guia cable car to the top. It runs from the entrance of Macau’s largest public park, Flora Garden.

Spread out at the base of Guia Hill is Flora Garden, a European-style garden. At one time these were the grounds of the Flora Palace, an aristocratic Portuguese mansion. The stone gateway at the entrance was once the palace guardhouse. There is a straight pedestrian avenue that is lined with tall palms and flowering shrubs. Within the gardens is an aviary, a small zoo, and a tree-shaded refreshment patio. You’ll see formal flowerbeds and a stone pathway, winding upward past small waterfalls and belvederes to the top of Guia Hill where you can get spectacular views.

Macau Museum of Art is a wonderful five-story museum with displays of art created in Macau and China. Among the paintings are the artwork of Western artists like George Chinnery. Some of the other highlights include ceramics and stoneware that were excavated in Macau. The museum also features 19th-century Western historical paintings from all over Asia as well as contemporary Macanese art.

Sir Robert Ho Tung Library is housed in a lovely building that was founded in the 19th century. It was once the country retreat of the late tycoon Robert Ho Tung, who purchased the house in 1918. The building has a dome, an arcaded facade, Ionic columns, and Chinese-style gardens. It was given a modern extension by architect Joy Choi Tin Tin and the new four-story structure is all in glass and steel with Piranesi-inspired bridges connecting to the old house and a glass roof.

Mandarin House was built around 1869 and has more than 60 rooms. It was the ancestral home of Zheng Guanying, an influential author-merchant whose readers included emperors, Dr. Sun Yatsen and Chairman Mao. At the compound, there is a moon gate, tranquil courtyards, lovely rooms, and a main hall with French windows. The windows have all been arranged in the labyrinthine style that was typical of certain Chinese period buildings. Guided tours in Cantonese are offered on weekend afternoons.

Lou Kau Mansion was built around 1889. This is a Cantonese-style mansion with southern European elements that once belonged to merchant Lou Kau. There is a flower-and-bird motif on the roof. On weekends free guided tours in Chinese are offered.

Lou Lim Ieoc Garden is the most Chinese of all of Macau’s gardens. It was built in the 19th century by wealthy Chinese merchant Lou Kau. The gardens were restored and opened to the public in 1974. This garden was modeled on those of Suzhou, the most famous of all Chinese classical gardens. It is enclosed by a high wall and has narrow paths winding through groves of bamboo and flowering bushes. There is a large pond full of golden carp and lotus flowers. Across the pond a nine-turn bridge zigzags. According to legend, evil spirits can only move in straight lines. The bridge comes to a large pavilion where you can find art and craft exhibitions and hear recitals during the annual International Music Festival.

High above the villas of Avenida da Republica rises Penha Hill. It offers visitors fantastic views and a tranquil place to relax. On top of the hill is the Bishop’s Palace, built in 1837, a residence for bishops (not open to the public), and the Chapel of Our Lady of Penha, once a place of pilgrimage for sailors.

Senado Square is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is surrounded by neo-Classical buildings and has a unique patterned pavement. The square is a pedestrian area enjoyed by many.

In the very heart of Macau’s historic center on Senado Square, you’ll find the Church of St. Dominic. This is a yellow Baroque church with a lovely altar and a timber roof. It was founded by three Spanish Dominican priests from Acapulco, Mexico in the 16th century. Its former bell tower is now home to the Treasury of Sacred Art. It displays ecclesiastical art and liturgical objects on three floors.

A-Ma Temple dates back to the 16th century. A-Ma aka Tin Hau, is the goddess of the sea. Fishermen would come here to replenish supplies and pray for fair weather.

Macau Fisherman's Wharf is a theme park with many shops and restaurants. It was built to look like famous coastal cities such as Venice and Amsterdam.

Rising high above Macau is the 336m Macau Tower. Observation decks are on the 56th and 61st floors. If you are into some real excitement you can try the climbing wall, a bungee platform that is supposedly the highest commercial bungee jump in the world, a skywalk around the rim of the tower, and more daredevil stuff.

Take a trip by ferry to Cotai Island to enjoy the Giant Panda Pavilion. It is home to several giant pandas, red pandas, and some monkeys. There are also koi ponds, gardens, and a children's playground.