| Macau has a reputation as the Vegas of the East and, | | | | area, as well as some restaurants, cafes and casinos. |
| indeed, millions of visitors come every year to the city's | | | | The main attraction here, however, is a range of |
| glitzy casinos. But the former Portuguese enclave has | | | | European and coastal town architectures that replicate |
| more attractions to offer than just Baccarat tables | | | | streets and suburbs from port-cities around the globe... |
| and slot machines... From impressive baroque-style | | | | 6) Macau Tower, one of the city's most popular tourist |
| cathedrals and old Chinese temples, to | | | | attractions, rises to a height of 338 meters, and is the |
| adrenaline-boosting bungee jumps and beautiful nature | | | | world's 10th highest free-standing tower. Zoom to the |
| walks... | | | | upper observation decks with one of the glass-fronted |
| This article will take you through 10 key attractions you | | | | lifts and enjoy some breathtaking views. There are |
| really have to try and see, when visiting Macau | | | | also two restaurants and bars here, where you can |
| 1) A-Ma Temple is where Macau presumably started | | | | enjoy a particularly romantic sundowner. Adventure |
| from. Built against a rocky hill in front of the strait that | | | | lovers can elevate their adrenaline with Bungee Jump, |
| separates Macau from mainland China, this 1488 | | | | Mast climbing, Skywalk or Skyjump... Down at the |
| temple was constructed to commemorate a | | | | bottom, there is a modern shopping mall, with a few |
| miraculous event where the legendary goddess A-Ma | | | | very good restaurants and some slot machines... |
| saved a group of seamen from a storm and brought | | | | 7) The Macau Grand Prix Museum is a place you just |
| them safely to shore. Years later, when Portuguese | | | | have to visit, especially if you are here with the kids... |
| explorers asked locals for the name of the place, they | | | | The museum gives you the opportunity to see all |
| were answered "A-Ma Gau" (Literally, the Bay of | | | | those legendary cars and bikes that made history on |
| A-Ma), and that's who the name Macau eventually | | | | one of the world's most demanding street tracks - |
| came about... | | | | Macau's Guia Circuit, and to learn more about the |
| 2) Senado Square (Largo do Senado) is a large | | | | drivers who actually drove those vehicles. |
| piazza, right in the heart of Macau. Paved with | | | | 8) Taipa Village, on the island of Taipa, is one of only |
| Portuguese style cobblestone, the square is | | | | two traditional "villages" that still exist in Macau. Strolling |
| surrounded by impressive historic buildings, like Santo | | | | through the pedestrian only alleys feels like traveling |
| Domingo Church, The Cathedral, The Holy House of | | | | back in time, and there are some outstandingly good |
| Mercy, and Leal Senado Building, as well as some | | | | Portuguese-Macanese restaurants you should try. |
| fantastic restaurants, cafes and a small market, where | | | | 9) The Venetian hosts the world's largest casino |
| factory outlets sell brand-name surpluses at a good | | | | complex, with almost 600,000 square feet of gambling |
| price. | | | | space, 3,400 slot machines and 800 gambling tables... |
| 3) Ruins of St. Paul's, just a short stroll from Senado | | | | Other than virtually endless gambling and gaming |
| Square, is the only remain of Asia's once largest | | | | options, there is a fantastic "Venice themed" shopping |
| Catholic Church. Built in the 1580s by the Jesuits, this | | | | arena there, called The Grand Canal shoppes, where |
| imposing facade boasts some fabulous statues and | | | | you can buy international brand names, enjoy some |
| intricate reliefs, mainly of Jesuit images with oriental | | | | great restaurants, bars and cafes, or just ride a |
| themes. At the back of the facade, there is a small | | | | gondola... |
| museum where you can see objects of high historical | | | | 10) Alto de Coloane and Coloane Village are both |
| and artistic value, related to the history of the catholic | | | | located on Macau's greenest and most spacious island |
| missions in Macau and the region. | | | | - Coloane. The "village" boasts a labyrinth of small |
| 4) Guia Hill towers right above Macau Ferry Terminal, | | | | pedestrian only alleyways, where very little has |
| and is one of Macau's highest and greenest hills. Take | | | | changed over the years, and there are some beautiful |
| the short cable car ride to the top of the hill, where you | | | | small Chinese temples and churches, as well as some |
| can enjoy some commanding views of Macau and its | | | | very good restaurants. Not far from the 'village" on |
| environs, stroll in the beautiful park and visit interesting | | | | Macau's highest hill, you can visit A-Ma cultural village: |
| historical sites, such as the remains of Guia Fort, which | | | | An imposing complex of lavishly decked temples and |
| was built in the early 1600s, following a failed attempt | | | | study rooms, devoted to Macau's most popular |
| by the Dutch to raid on Macau, or the lighthouse that | | | | goddess, A-Ma. On top of the hill, just above A-Ma |
| was built at 1864 and became the first western style | | | | cultural village, there's a colossal statue of the beloved |
| lighthouse along the coast of China. | | | | deity, that rises to a height of 19.99 mtrs |
| 5) Fisherman's Wharf is a large Fun and Entertainment | | | | (commemorating the year 1999, at which China |
| complex, featuring a children entertainment and activity | | | | regained sovereignty over Macau). |