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An Overview of Macau |
When you book for a one week tour of a city, it is almost
impossible to squeeze into the sightseeing time that you have all
the activities that the locals have enjoyed doing over the years. As
such, you cannot really discover everything that a country has to
offer during your short stay. However, in a city like Macau, you
will clearly see the delineation between its two faces.
On the one hand, Macau is a city which is chockfull of historical
Mediterranean style buildings as a result of its former colonial
master Portugal. On the other hand, the mega-casinos and hotels
which are scattered within the length and breadth of Macau have
earned it a reputation of being the Las Vegas of the East. So which
is which? Out of these two facades, which one represents the real
Macau?
The Mediterranean Aspect of Visiting Macau
First, let’s take a look at the Mediterranean aspect of living in
Macau. Basically, this city is a Special Administration Region of
China which is made up of the Macau Peninsula, Coloane islands and
Taipa. China resumed sovereignty of Macau from the Portuguese
Government on December 20, 1999.
Despite being a relatively young Chinese city, you will actually
feel as if you are not in Asia but in a lovely European city when
you step foot on Macau. The structures are a reflection of the
400-year-old Portuguese influence, along with a mixture of three
centuries of Chinese history. There are plenty of historic buildings
in Macau which range from old fortresses to Baroque churches.
A large portion of the Macau Peninsula is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, and dozens f buildings and sites have a cultural significance.
If you’re a history buff, you would have blast visiting the Museum
of Taipa and Coloane History, as well as the Taipa Houses Museum.
Some of the activities that you can indulge in as a tourist if
you’re not witnessing the Mediterranean influence in Macau include
greyhound racing, go karting, swimming, hiking, cycling, bowling, or
simply strolling through the city, shopping or sampling the local
goods.
How about the Las Vegas Influence?
Since it earned its reputation of being a haven for gamblers looking
for Las Vegas-style casinos in Asia, even the people from mainland
China flock to Macau to try their luck at the tables. Some of the
most popular casinos in Macau include the Casino Lisboa; Cotai Strip
is being turned into the “Las Vegas Strip of the East”; and the
Venetian Macao, the largest casino in the world, is also situated in
Macao.
The Verdict: Is Macau a Place that’s Worth a Visit?
If it’s your first time to visit Macau, it will definitely be a
shock to the sense to discover just what makes this two-faced city
tick. If you’re a traditional traveller who would like to learn
about a place’s history, you can definitely see that from the
Mediterranean-influenced buildings, fortresses and other similar
sites. On the other hand, if your goal is to have fun and feel like
you’re in a quaint European city but with Las Vegas-style casinos,
then travelling to Macau is definitely for you.
All in all, Macau is a place that’s worth visiting because it offers
something for everybody – no matter what kind of a tourist you are. |
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Macau
Macau Hotels
Macau Restaurants
Macau Attractions
Macau Activities
Accommodations
Travel Sites
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