Macau

The City

It was the Portuguese who settled Macau in 1557, persuading the Chinese to rent them the peninsula and establishing trade links in the region that made them very wealthy. It was this period of prosperity that created the colonial Macau we see today – the Basilica of St Paul, the Mediterranean courtyards, luxurious villas, the hill-top lighthouse and UNESCO World Heritage old city.

By the 17th century Macau was already in decline and became a backwater for licensed gambling, prostitution and organized crime well into the 20th Century. In fact the Chinese refused to take it back until 1999, by which time it was in better shape anyway. By then the Triad gangs had been dealt with, the monopoly on casino licenses revoked and Macau’s economy had kick started as foreign tourism increased.

Today Macau is seen as having something of two faces with people coming to appreciate the fortresses, churches and food of the colonial era or wining and dining in the modern Las Vegas of the East amidst 14 casinos and ritzy hotels. There are also other sights such as Buddhist temples, war bunkers, the excellent Museu de Macau, Macau Tower and the Fisherman’s Wharf theme park.

Do & See

Macau is based on a peninsula and a couple of islands, including Taipa and Colôane. Most of the sights are packed around a few blocks in the old core around Largo do Senado, a good place to start off your tour.

Largo Do Senado

Leal Senado

São Domingo’s (st Dominic’s)

Basilica of St Paul (são Paulo)

Fortaleza Do Monte

Museu de Macau

Guia Fortress

Macau Tower

Taipa Island

The House of Dancing Water

Coloane

Macau Giant Panda Pavilion

City of Dreams

Macao Science Center

Lou Lim Lok Garden

Dining

Macau restaurants serve a spicy blend of Portuguese, Chinese, Malay, Indian and African dishes. The choice should keep all palettes happy because not only can you can find a good dim sum and pork chop bun but there’s excellent Portuguese coffee (bica) and wine, Goanese chicken and fresh Chinese vegetables. Traditional Portuguese dishes to look out for include bacalhau (dry cod) and rich soups like caldo verdo or sopa a alentejena. Famed Macanese (Chinese/Portuguese) dishes include stir-fried curry crab and jagra de ovos (sweet egg tart).

A Lorcha

Camões

Boa Mesa

Fernando´s

Seng Cheong Restaurant

The Golden Peacock

IFT Educational Restaurant

The Eight

Morton's, The Steakhouse

Zi Yat Heen

The Tasting Room

A Petisqueira

Tou Tou Koi

Portofino

Cafes

Thanks to its Portuguese heritage Macau has got coffee right. It therefore makes sense to head to Portuguese establishments for the best blend of bica and pastries, while the Chinese establishments produce a mean pork bun with milky teas and puddings.

Leitaria I Son

Cafe Tai Lei Loi Kei

Margaret’s Café E Nata

Pizzeria Toscana

Honolulu

Bars & Nightlife

Fortunately nightlife in Macau no longer centres on the gambling establishments, although many are still a good place to down a pick me-up and enjoy fine live gigs. However there is a good choice of places to head now including the Dock’s Outer Harbour sidewalk bars on Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Do note some places are true to Mediterranean form and don’t heat up until after 1am.

Macau Soul

Crazy Paris Show

180 Lounge and Grill

Moonwalker

Bellini Lounge

Casinos

Lion's Bar

CheChe Café

McSorley's Ale House

Shopping

Due to its tax free status, shopping is a delight in Macau with prices considerably lower than the USA, Europe and other Asian centres. Thanks to recent developments you can find designer shopping centres although there are plenty of exotic Asian markets and traditional shops selling Chinese medicines and Portuguese antiques. Other things to shop for include electronics, jewellery, fabric, porcelain and wine. Prices vary according to quality so be wary of imitations. Avenida Almeira Ribeiro is the main commercial centre and has many designer boutiques.

Grand Canal Shoppes

Senado Square

Red Market

Rua de S. Paulo

New Yaohan Department Store

Three Lamps District

Rua do Cunha

Koi Kei Bakery

Cunha Bazaar

Macau Creations

Essential Information