Macau was the first and last European colony in China: the Portuguese settled here in the mid-1999th century, and in XNUMX they returned the city to the Chinese. It is one of the country's three special regions, along with Hong Kong and Taiwan, and has different rules, particularly regarding law and trade. Traces of the Portuguese presence are visible everywhere: from the names of streets and squares to signage and restaurant menus.
You can reach Macau by plane, but most passengers arrive by ferry from Hong Kong, where ships depart for two ports: Kowloon or Hong Kong Island. Most travelers opt for day trips to the city, but it's best to book your ticket in advance.
Today, Macau is best known for its casinos. For nearly a decade, the gambling establishments here were more profitable than those in Las Vegas, and they account for the majority of tourist arrivals. Perhaps because it's the only place in China where gambling is completely legal, it's precisely these casinos that earned the city a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Historic Centre of Macau, a trail leading between 25 sites of extraordinary ancient significance, offers an alternative for those whose finances are too meager for casino chips or whose interests are somewhat different. The route can be explored on foot, with free maps available.
What makes these buildings unique is that they were designed and built by immigrants who settled here from the mid-16th century onward, but not exclusively by the Portuguese. The city boasts many residential and religious buildings in styles ranging from the Renaissance to Baroque and Neoclassical. Architects, inspired by what they saw in India or mainland China, incorporated these elements into their designs, creating original and unique works of art. Everything was done in close contact with the customs and beliefs of the region, thereby adapting the designs to local conditions. The Historic Centre of Macau route includes both distinctively European buildings and churches, as well as Chinese residential structures, as well as the streets, alleys, and squares that connect them.
One of the landmarks on the trail is the former estate of Chinese writer, philosopher, and entrepreneur Zheng Guaning. The house combines features of a traditional Chinese residence with elements of Western architecture and has over 60 separate rooms. Admission is free.
You'll see almond cookies everywhere. In the historic center, they're sold on the street, in pastry shops, and in souvenir shops. You can sample many varieties of local pastries, and it's worth considering picking up a few bags as gifts. The secret to the cookies' unique flavor lies not only in the almonds themselves, but also in the green bean flour used.
Be sure to visit the ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral. Who would have thought you'd only see the façade of a seventeenth-century cathedral, firmly supported by a complex technical structure? If you're planning a night in Macau, visit late in the evening, when the ruins stand out romantically against the sky, and the city's youth sit on the stairs instead of tourists.
Bakkwa food tastes like dried beef in a variety of flavors. While Macau isn't known for its abundance of snacks, Bakkwa is sold on virtually every corner. Before buying, it's worth trying it to see if the flavor suits your taste buds.
The Mazu Shrine, translated as "the local goddess of fishermen and sailors," is the best proof of the coastal city's inseparable connection with the Taoist temple. It was built long before Chinese settlers arrived on the coast on a large scale. The shrine is the most famous landmark in Macau. It is so popular that it even appears on local banknotes.
