Sightseeing in Macau - what to see. Complete travel guide
Macau is a fabulous city on the coast of the South China Sea. Currently, this is one of the most popular destinations internationally. An interesting fact about Macau – this city has the highest concentration of gambling houses in the world. Besides eye-catching casinos, this city is famous for its old temples and fortresses that are situated in the old part of the city. Tourists often informally call Macau “Chinese Portugal”. This name is not random because the region was a Portuguese colony for many years. There are still many buildings in Macau that remind of this European country. The Portuguese are still present in the city’s population.
First proofs of a settlement on the site of modern Macau date back to the 4rth millennia BC. During the reign of the Qin dynasty, the area was a part of the Guangdong province. Starting from the 5th century, the settlement became a stop for ships coming from Guangzhou and heading to South East Asia. In the 70s of the 13th century, the Song dynasty settled in this region. This dynasty established the first permanent settlement on the site of modern Macao. The settlement remained small and was almost not developing until the 16th century. Everything changed when the Portuguese explorers first stepped on this territory in 1513.
Macau is famous for its quality beaches with the soft sand cover that makes it so pleasant to sunbathe and relax. Residents of Macau are proud of the beauty of their homeland. This destination is suitable for a family vacation. It is important to mention that the majority of local beaches are suitable for families with small children. Kids can safely play in the sand and even swim here because the coastal water is shallow.
Coloane Beach is one of the most suitable coastal areas for families. This beach has developed infrastructure suitable for adults and children of all ages. Numerous playgrounds offer comfortable pastime and are great to play tennis or golf. Do you like horses or want to show these beautiful animals to your children? There is a horse stall in the neighborhood. A special barbecue zone is a comfortable place where visitors can roast meat or enjoy a picnic. Is your kid bored? Simply grab your little one and take him or her to the local zoo with many interesting animals and birds. Furthermore, adults can leave their children in a special play zone and enjoy swimming in the sea meanwhile.
Hac Sa Beach is particularly popular among vacationers. When entering this beach for the first time, many tourists are surprised because this coastal area has quite an unusual look. The sand on this beach is not white or yellow. It is dark as if this is earth, not sand. The origin of the sand explains its unusual color – it is volcanic. Together with the crystal clear sea, the black sand creates an enchanting and totally unforgettable look.
Hac Sa Beach is roughly one thousand and five hundred kilometers long. It is conveniently divided into two parts. The right side attracts fans of surfing because of high waves. The left side is a calm area with shallow water near the coast. Because of this, the temperature of water is always comfortable here. As the bottom also has a soft sand cover, this part of Hac Sa is very popular with families with small children.
Cheoc Van is another no less popular beach in Macau. This beach has the usual yellow sand but the sea often has an unpleasant look. The majority of vacationers prefer to swim in the pool here. However, if you enjoy surfing on high waves, it is hard to find a more suitable place. The waves are always high here, so fans of surfing can enjoy their favorite sport. Numerous cafes and restaurants along the coast offer delicious Chinese cuisine. Vacationers can also order popular European dishes or quench their thirst with refreshing beverages.
The most comfortable way to reach Macau is from Hong Kong. A ferry goes from this city to the “Chinese Portugal” every fifteen minutes. It takes one hour to reach Macau. There is a fast but more expensive way to get to Macau – by helicopter from Hong Kong. The ride lasts only fifteen minutes. There is a longer route to Macau by airplane with a change in Kaohsiung.
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City tours, excursions and tickets in Macau and surroundings
Reference information
Sights around Macau from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'
Kowloon Walled City
From the series “Deserted Places Causing the Feeling of Chill”
Check on the map: Distance from Macau center - 66.9 km.
Surprisingly, this tiny piece of land was inhabited by about 50 000 people. It housed more than 1 000 small factories, shops and schools, as well as a kindergarten, and even a nursing home. It was decided to settle an area because of the high crime situation. Today it's territory is occupied by the park. One of the first journalists who made the Kowloon area world famous, was Greg Gerard. He made a series of spectacular photographs of abandoned buildings. Today, many tourists come to Hong Kong specifically to take a walk on the roofs of the abandoned area and look into old houses that have been very lively until recently. …
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Repulse Bay
From the series “Dangerous and Treacherous Beaches That Can Be Lethal”
Check on the map: Distance from Macau center - 66.1 km.
Repulse Bay is a shallow beach and therefore attracts many local children. The children who play along the coast often include the tourists who prefer most of them but only walk on the picturesque promenade. One of the most attractive features of the beach is the numerous nearby fish restaurants. Your menu can even impress the experienced gourmets. Many travelers come here specially to enjoy the rare sea food. …
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Swallow Nest in Hong Kong Restaurants
From the series “The Most Disgusting Dishes in the World”
Check on the map: Distance from Macau center - 65.3 km.
Swallow's nests are often referred to as a white gold, because the cost of a kilogram of this delicacy is about 3 000 US dollars. Wealthy gourmands, who will order the soup of the swallow's nest in one of the elite restaurants, will have a plate of jelly-like muddy soup. It differs with quite a specific taste, which doesn’t please people. An appetite is usually spoiled by just looking on a slippery jelly-like mass. Guangdong is considered to be the homeland of this culinary masterpiece. There, many fans of exotic dishes prefer to taste the soup of swallow nests. The cost of the treat is usually around 100 dollars per serving. …
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Saudi Arabia to Open 38 Hotels in Diriyah
Diriyah is one of the first mega projects in Saudi Arabia. Hotels and other infrastructure will start opening next year, and all works are expected to end in 2026. The first 18 restaurants in Bujairi Terrace will start operating already in early 2022. Read this
29.03.2024
Diriyah is one of the first mega projects in Saudi Arabia. Hotels and other infrastructure will start opening next year, and all works are expected to end in 2026. The first 18 restaurants in Bujairi Terrace will start operating already in early 2022. Read this
29.03.2024
Search touristic sites on the map of Macau
All about Macau, China - sightseeings, attractions, touristic spots, architecture, history, culture and cuisine. Prepare your trip together with OrangeSmile.com - find out the 'must see' things in Macau, which places to visit, which excursions to take, where the breathtaking views are waiting for you. Planning your trip with this travel guide will help your to get the most out of Macau in few days.