Situated by the South China Sea and boasting a population of almost 700,000 Macau is a place where traditional and modern cultures blend. A former colony of Portugal, links from the location’s European roots can still be seen today, even though it is now a special administrative region of China.
Macau is on the UNESCO World Heritage list but arguably what has put the city’s name on the map from the perspective of foreign travellers, is gambling. Often referred to as the “Las Vegas of the East” Macau has a phenomenal gambling culture.
That is part of the reason Macau is a major tourist hotspot, particularly for high-rolling visitors from all over the world. But there is a lot more to unravel in this city, which has it all.
Bright Casino Lights
If you plan to visit one of the famous Macau casinos, don’t forget to have enough cash in your pockets. While many international online casinos, for instance, any online casino using Maya in the Philippines, accept digital payments, in physical Macau casinos foreign tourists are likely to have to rely on cash payments.
Therefore, having access to physical cash is essential when visiting such destinations. Sure, bank cards would do too.
While Las Vegas is seen as the gambling capital of the world, Macau’s industry completely overshadows that of the famous US city. It’s reported that the gambling industry is around seven times larger than that of Las Vegas.
The state lotteries are the only form of gambling officially permitted by the Chinese authorities, with all other gambling activities being rigorously banned across mainland China.
But Macau stands apart with no bans or particular limits on casino activities. This lack of restrictions makes it a favoured destination for high rollers, whom we’ve mentioned previously. They significantly contribute to the city’s economy, reportedly making up almost 45% of Macau’s gambling revenue.
A unique aspect that appeals to foreign players in Macau is the use of junket operators. These agents cater to every need of a high roller during their trip to Macau, from booking the best hotel suites to reserving private gambling rooms.
The history of gambling in Macau stretches back to 1849 and before the turn of the century, Macau received almost 40 million annual visitors.
But Macau is still in recovery mode after several sweeping changes, including cutting back on casino operation licences, a crack-down on illegal operators and new laws about junket operations, dimmed the bright lights of Macau a little. COVID-19 hit Macau hard as well.
But driven by the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) there has been a greater push to get the city swinging again. In 2022 within a week of travel restrictions being lifted, visitors were starting to pour into Macau once again.
Stretches of Sand
Much of the land of Macau has been reclaimed from the sea, and Macau is more than just a gambling hotspot. There are beautiful beaches everywhere, from Hac Sa (Black Sand Beach) to Cheoc Van Beach, and so many other stunning locations to visit to unwind.
Enjoying a day of watersports is another popular attraction, a world away from urban city life. The lush green vegetation of the islands drops away to beautiful beach hotspots for water-skiing, diving, scuba diving and sailing.
Architecture
One of the unique features of Macau is the blend of Portuguese and Chinese architecture. Many of the modern casinos dominate the landscape, like the MGM Cotai and Morpheus Hotel.
Arguably, there is none more visually astonishing than the Grand Lisbon, a towering golden structure that gives a clear nod towards its European roots.
But away from the shiny and bustling urbanised hubs, the blend of two cultures can still be seen in the narrow streets. These are reminiscent of mainland China, while Portuguese-style housing with balconies, columns, and arches that wouldn’t look out of place on the Iberian coast also pop up.
Among the top places to visit in Macau is the Matsu Cultural Village, which is the location of the A-Ma Temple, a Taoist structure that dates back to 1488.
Taipa Village
Taipa Village is one of the best spots to go in the city to forget that you are in the Las Vegas of the East. Strip away all the modernity of architecture and you can step into an area that is bursting at the seams with traditional Macanese culture.
From restaurants to museums, shops, art spaces and museums, there is something for everyone here. It’s a busy village, but at the same time offers a breath of freshness away from the tourist traps of casinos.
The district, which is only a short distance from the main strip of casinos, provides a culturally immersive experience not to miss.
Street Eats
Food is an amazing aspect of any kind of travel, no matter where you are. Because it is nothing more than an hour away on a ferry from Hong Kong, plus its influences from China and Portugal, it is a remarkable place for street vendor cuisine. From steamed milk pudding to Portuguese egg tarts to the famous Macanese pork chop buns, there’s plenty to taste.
So Why Should Macau Be Your Next Destination?
The main reason that Macau attracts people from all over the globe is gambling. That’s hard to ignore, but even in its major counterpart, Las Vegas, there is a lot more to the city than just places to spin slots reels and engage in high-stakes drama at the poker table.
Balancing that with the astonishing cultural highlights of Macau, stepping into the past and exploring nature, is getting the best out of Macau. Yes, despite its heavy urbanisation, Macau has wonderful nature and hiking trails as well to get away from the rush of life and taking it all in, may require more than one visit.