Macau is known as the “Las Vegas of Asia” with a lot of hotel-casinos anywhere in the country. Thus, tourists from the neighboring countries usually visit Macau with the intention to gamble. This country is more than just a little Las Vegas as Macau offers its tourists a rich cultural and historical experience as well.
Macau, a special administrative region of China, was leased to Portugal as a trading post in 1557, and it was only until 1887 that both countries come to an agreement that Macau is a Portuguese territory after 330 years of uncertainty. And in 1999, Macau was handed over back to China. And until now, it is still evident that Macau was once ruled by Portuguese through their language, names of the streets, and restaurants.
The country is just a 2-hour flight from Taiwan and we arrived late evening. Good thing that the hotel where we checked-in, Inn Macau, is just a 15-minute taxi ride from the airport. As we’re on our way to the hotel, we were in awe of the tall and bright hotel-casinos that we passed by. Also, most of the luxurious hotel-casinos in the country offer a free airport shuttle, and a free ride from one hotel to another.
As we only have a limited time in Macau, we made sure that we make the most out of it, and below is our itinerary for the whole day:
1. Macau Fisherman’s Wharf
This 133,000 square meter European-themed architecture has used to be the largest leisure and themed entertainment complex in Macau Peninsula. But now, this Wharf seems to be abandoned but the remains of the structures can be associated to the Colosseum in Italy. If you’re coming from Hong Kong, this should be first on your itinerary as it is only a 5-10 minute walk from Macau Ferry Terminal and Heliport.
Be sure to put your sunscreen on as the place is really hot in the morning, but it is all worth it as it is not that crowded. The place itself could serve as a great backdrop for your prenuptial photos, or even blogger poses!
2. The Ruins of St. Paul
Considered as the most visited tourist spot in Macau, expect nothing but a jam packed of crowd. The Ruins of St. Paul is used to be the biggest Catholic Church in East Asia and the “Vatican of the Far East” which is dedicated to St. Paul, the Apostle. The construction of the church started in 1580, but caught fire twice in 1595 and 1601 respectively. And in 1835, when a violent typhoon hit the country, the church caught fire for the third time leaving the front façade and the grand stone stairs only.
The Ruins of St. Paul is a constant reminder of the rich historical background of Macau which is a mixed of the East and West culture. And in 2005, the place is officially listed as part of the Historic Center of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. Senado Square
One of the largest four squares in Macau and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Senado Square is a great place to have your lunch and shopping. The square is surrounded by the European-style buildings, traditional Chinese restaurants, gift shops and stores where you can shop and haggle for cheap prices.
This 3,700 square meter-square is named after the Leal Senado, a meeting place for the Chinese and Portuguese in the 16th to 18th century. Having been Macau’s urban center for centuries, the square is a popular venue for public events and celebrations.
4. Museu de Macau / Macau Museum
If you love to know more about the country, then you should include Museu de Macau (Macau Museum) on your list. The museum is located in Mount Fortress which is a quite small museum that encompasses interesting pieces showing the influences of Chinese and Portuguese to the country.
The museum is only open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10:00 to 18:00 PM, yet admission time is only until 17:30 PM. Entrance Fee for adults is MOP 15 while for students with ID is MOP 8.
5. Mount Fortress
Located at 52 meters above sea level, Mount Fortress covers an approximately 8,000 square meters with an overlooking view of Macau. The fortress was the city’s principal military defense and equipped with cannons, military barracks, wells, and an arsenal to protect the properties of the Jesuits from Pirates way back centuries ago.
Unlike the Macau Museum, the admission in the fortress is FREE and is only open from Tuesdays to Saturdays.
6. Venetian Macau
After exploring the other cultural and historical side of Macau, it is now time to visit one of the most popular casinos in the country. The Venetian Macau is a 39-storey luxury hotel and casino resort which is considered as the 7th largest building in the world by floor area. The perfect way to experience the Venetian is to hop on the gondola where gondoliers are ready to serenade you during your romantic ride.
And there you go our day tour in Macau. It has been a long day but totally worth it! Exploring this country is not that difficult as long as you have your internet with you for the maps. Also, the country’s transportation system is convenient enough to let you tour around the city.
