Macao is the largest casino city in the world. Known for its casinos, Macao combines Chinese and Portuguese influences. Macau is a beautiful resort where you can enjoy the atmosphere of luxury in the heart of casinos, but equally spend a cultural holiday in an environment that does not leave you cold.
The center of entertainment and culture is an easy first destination in China
Off the coast of China , about an hour’s boat ride from Hong Kong , Macao is a Chinese Special Administrative Region consisting of an island divided into three parts and the Macao Peninsula. The area is quite small as it is only about 33 square kilometers in size. Nevertheless, there is plenty to see in Macau, and the city is a great destination for a few days ’vacation.
Macao is known as Las Vegas of China, and the nickname is not drawn from the wind: the city has plenty of casinos, luxury hotels and better restaurants that guarantee comfort and unforgettable moments. As a counterbalance to neon lights and five-star luxury experiences, the city also offers much more: cultural sites, history and local life.
In addition to casino hotels, the city’s main attractions include the A-Ma Temple, the ruins of St. Paul’s Church, Senado Square, Guia Fortress and Lighthouse, and the Macau Tower.
As a destination, Macau is ideal for the city holidaymaker and connoisseur who appreciates good food. The restaurant on offer in the city is world-class, and the affordable price level makes it easy to pamper yourself with a first-class restaurant experience on your Macau vacation. If you love shopping and an easy vacation, Macau is a great option. Macau also has beaches, but the majority of tourists enjoy the sun by the hotel’s swimming pool.
Macao was both the first and last European colony in Chinese territory. Portugal took control of Macao in the 16th century, and the colonial period lasted until 1999. It marked the beginning of Macao’s 50-year special administration, which is due to end in 2049.
Thus, the city has only belonged to China for the 21st century, and also because of its special arrangement, rather thinly, as the city is only remotely dependent on the host country. For a first-time Chinese visitor, Macao is a very easy destination, and Western influences keep cultural shock to a minimum.
The colonial period is clearly visible in the street scene, but there are also Chinese elements among the Portuguese influences.
Hot and humid climate almost all year round
Macao has a subtropical climate, which is why the temperature stays around 20 degrees throughout the year. The hottest is from May to August, when the average temperature is around 30 degrees.
During the hottest months, Macao also rains the most, and the humidity can make you feel very embarrassed. The average annual humidity is 79 percent, so be prepared for hair and clothing that will stick to your skin.
The most pleasant time to visit Macao is October to December, when humidity is at its lowest and rainfall is lowest. There are occasional typhoons in Macao from mid-summer.
If you are planning to spend a casino holiday in Macau, then the weather doesn’t really matter. The air-conditioned casino hotels are open at their best 24 hours a day, and the one-handed bandit, who is vying for profit, won’t stop working, even if it’s raining outside.
The casino city of abundance will not leave you cold
Macau’s casinos entice visitors to spend a holiday that lacks pleasures. The city is full of five-star hotels, the most famous of which are the historic Grand Lisboa, the giant Venetian, two MGM hotels and the Parisian hotel, which takes you to the French atmosphere.
Indeed, hotels in Macau are much more than just accommodations, and the biggest attraction of casino hotels is the casinos. In addition, the hotels feature shopping malls filled with international luxury brands and discount chains, high-end restaurants, budget-friendly restaurant hubs and world-class entertainment.
For a day at Macau’s casino hotels, you can dine at the 3-star Michelin Restaurant, sit in a gondola amidst Venetian scenery, watch the views from the Eiffel Tower and dine on Perik Chinese street food.
Macao’s biggest attraction is the successful casino business. Tourists heading from both mainland China and the rest of the world will fill each other with more glorious gambling spots night after night.
Cultural heritage is strongly visible in Macao
However, you cannot visit Macau without exploring the city’s cultural and historical sites. The time of Portuguese colonial rule has left a clear mark on the cityscape, and colonial influences bring contrast to the multi-layered skyscrapers.
The city’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see to understand Macao’s diversity. So don’t just get stuck in a casino hotel on your holiday, but also head to the Coloane district and the Macao Peninsula, for example.
Colonial buildings and spacious squares, combined with spectacular parks and Chinese temples, create an interesting combination that brings a special street scene to Macau.
A food traveler’s dream destination
The culinary traveler Macao is not left cold, as the city’s diverse restaurant offer pampers the taste buds of every traveler.
Chinese and Portuguese cuisine are rightly strongly featured in Macao’s restaurant offerings, but the city serves delicacies such as Vietnamese, Burmese, French and Thai flavors. The street scene also shows the outlets of international fast food chains.
A traveler who appreciates Michelin restaurants will get his stomach full in Macau in numerous places. There are nearly 20 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city, and in addition to one-star restaurants, Macau also has two- and three-star restaurants. There are also about ten Bib gourmand restaurants, and several dozen other restaurants recommended by the Michelin guide. Macau is a place where Michelin-level food can be enjoyed even in modest street streets.
Macao’s price level is affordable in Finnish, but the restaurant offer can be found in all price categories.
There are basically two currencies in use, as shops and restaurants can pay not only in Macao’s pataca currency but also in Hong Kong dollars. The exchange rate is not quite uniform, but in spite of this, in buying situations, change is always available in patacos.
Macao is a safe and easy destination
The long history as a Portuguese colony has left significant traces in Macao. While the residents, the language and many of the signs look and sound very Chinese, the European influences are also very visible. For example, the roads are marked not only in Chinese but also in Portuguese, which makes it much easier for Western tourists.
The street scene shows both Catholic churches and Buddhist temples, and when visiting them, the tourist should dress respectfully, covering his knees and shoulders. In churches in particular, great care is taken with regard to the clothing of visitors.
Macao is a safe destination and there is no need to fear crime. There is a reason to keep common sense and take care of valuables in the crowds, but otherwise the tourist can be quite relaxed in Macao. The typhoon season brings its own excitement, but thanks to modern technology, the worst typhoons can already be predicted quite well.
