From its slew of activities to the array of must-see landmarks, there’s more to this bustling city than meets the eye
The spotlight has been shining brightly on Macau in recent years—and it’s not just because of its famed casinos. The captivating autonomous region situated on the southern coast of China has quickly emerged as the next hottest tourist destination, thanks to its rich cultural heritage, world-class entertainment and opulent resorts.
Known as the Las Vegas of the East, Macau offers a vibrant and diverse experience, catering to all travellers from around the globe. Here, you will find a marriage between its rich cultural heritage and impressive modern developments.
The city was Europe’s last colony in Asia and had been a Portuguese outpost for more than 400 years. While Macau was handed back to China in 1999, the past 400 years of Portuguese rule definitely left a mark—just look at the city’s architecture and gastronomic food scene. Today, we find a fusion of Chinese and Portuguese cultures around the city, making it truly unique.
Read more: First look: The Londoner in Macau is a celebration of British history and design
President of Sands China Dr Wilfred Wong shares: “The interesting feature of Macau is the sharp contrast of the old and new. Go to the historic centre of Macau and you have preserved monuments and town squares all intertwined in the city centre. [But] cross the bridge to Cotai and you see [ultra-modern buildings and themed resorts.]”
Dr Wong adds that Macau today has changed from just being known as a “gaming attraction”. Within the last 20 years, Dr Wong shares that Macau has built more facilities “in the form of an integrated resort”, attracting more businessmen over for exhibitions and work-related trips—this in itself has changed Macau’s tourist scene.
“Instead of just Hong Kong or Guangdong people going over the weekend, you now have more international visitors from Singapore and Malaysia who want to spend a few days here because there is so much to offer,” he continues.