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.

The Portuguese established the first trading post in Macao in 1553. The town became a popular destination for merchants who settled here to trade with other Asian countries. Macau started developing and growing in size, but the Chinese government officially gave the settlement a city status only in the 70s of the 17th century. When the Portuguese lost their sea domination, the importance of Macao decreased as well. China and Portugal were arguing over the status of Macau for many years. The People’s Republic of China officially made the city a special administrative region in 1987. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

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.