- Image by Michael McDonough via Flickr
Macau is one of the two Special Administrative Regions of the People’s Republic of China; the other is Hong Kong. It is located on the western side of the Pearl River Delta of China.
Considered one of the most prosperous cities in the world, it has a booming tourism industry not to mention the gambling activities in the region which were said to have toppled those in Las Vegas in recent times. It has numerous amenities for tourists like hotels, restaurants, stadiums, resorts and, more importantly, casinos, which make the region one of the biggest gambling areas in the world.
A colony of Portugal since the 16th century until 1999, Macau as it is today shows proof of centuries of unification of Portuguese and Chinese cultures and fantastic blend of European and Oriental architecture.
- Image via Wikipedia
One cannot miss seeing evidences of Portuguese colonization of Macau from the building and structures that exist in the region. Among the most popular attractions are the Leal Senado (the Senate) which is considered by many to be the greatest Portuguese structure in Macau; the Fortaleza do Monte, a 17th century structure built by Jesuits within which is located the Museum of Macau which displays Macau’s history; the 17th century church of São Paulo, now only a façade, but is considered a major landmark of Macau. Nearby are the remnants of the Old city wall and the Na Tcha temple, a Taoist shrine.
Those who are not bent on touring the streets and structures of Macau can head for the beautiful beaches, or shop for clothes, textiles, electronic gadgets, watches, etc. And they’re offered at cheap prices!
- Image by dinesh_valke via Flickr
Macau has three terminals providing ferry services to and from Shenzhen, Guangdong and Hong Kong. The Macau International Airport has scheduled flights to and from several cities in mainland China, Korean, Taiwan as well as Manila, Bangkok, Singapore and others in Southeast Asia. Macau can also be reached by land via two gateways from China’s Guangdong province.
Autumn when humidity is low, and weather is warm but not hot (that’s September to mid-December) is the best time to visit Macau. Such weather is ideal for outdoor activities, and for strolling around the city.