Sightseeing Overview
Though occupying a relatively small area (around 28 sq km), Macau offers plenty to see and do - ranging from Buddhist temples to a hill-top lighthouse and war bunker, the UNESCO World Heritage old city to panoramic views from the Macau Tower, and the bright night-time neon of the casino strip to the excellent Museu de Macau.
A peninsula of the Chinese mainland, Macau's architectural and cultural legacy of four centuries as a Portuguese colony lives on. The tiled street names are written in both Portuguese and Chinese characters, white and blue azulejo tiles adorn courtyards and gardens, and Macanese restaurants in renovated villas serve up a spicy blend of Portuguese cooking, Chinese ingredients and African spices.
As Macau expands its tourism infrastructure, Old and New Macau are clearly divisible. The sky-reaching new city is being built on swathes of reclaimed land and features integrated Vegas-style casino resorts, the Fisherman's Wharf theme park and Macau Tower.
The centrepiece of Old Macau is the enchanting Senado Square - a classic Portuguese plaza and gateway to the UNESCO-protected historic city. From here, several market streets lead off in each direction, notable for their traditional Chinese pharmacies, dried fish stores, bakeries and Portuguese cafes.
The pillar-box red doorways and shuttered windows of Rua da Felicidade (Happiness Street) mark the spot where visiting sailors used to spend raucous nights in search of wine, women and song.
A peninsula of the Chinese mainland, Macau's architectural and cultural legacy of four centuries as a Portuguese colony lives on. The tiled street names are written in both Portuguese and Chinese characters, white and blue azulejo tiles adorn courtyards and gardens, and Macanese restaurants in renovated villas serve up a spicy blend of Portuguese cooking, Chinese ingredients and African spices.
As Macau expands its tourism infrastructure, Old and New Macau are clearly divisible. The sky-reaching new city is being built on swathes of reclaimed land and features integrated Vegas-style casino resorts, the Fisherman's Wharf theme park and Macau Tower.
The centrepiece of Old Macau is the enchanting Senado Square - a classic Portuguese plaza and gateway to the UNESCO-protected historic city. From here, several market streets lead off in each direction, notable for their traditional Chinese pharmacies, dried fish stores, bakeries and Portuguese cafes.
The pillar-box red doorways and shuttered windows of Rua da Felicidade (Happiness Street) mark the spot where visiting sailors used to spend raucous nights in search of wine, women and song.
Tourist Information
Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO)
12/F, Alameda Dr Carlos d'Assumpcao 335-341
Tel: 2831 5566 or 2833 3000 (tourist hotline).
Website: www.macautourism.gov.mo.
Other useful websites are: www.macauheritage.com and www.gov.mo
The MGTO is charged with overseeing and assisting all aspects of tourism in Macau, and has 18 overseas branches (including China; Hong Kong; Japan; Singapore; Thailand; India; Australia; New Zealand; United States; Germany; Portugal; United Kingdom and France). It produces an excellent range of English language maps, tourism brochures and walking tours. Its branch office on Senado Square features an information office, gift store and Internet access.
12/F, Alameda Dr Carlos d'Assumpcao 335-341
Tel: 2831 5566 or 2833 3000 (tourist hotline).
Website: www.macautourism.gov.mo.
Other useful websites are: www.macauheritage.com and www.gov.mo
The MGTO is charged with overseeing and assisting all aspects of tourism in Macau, and has 18 overseas branches (including China; Hong Kong; Japan; Singapore; Thailand; India; Australia; New Zealand; United States; Germany; Portugal; United Kingdom and France). It produces an excellent range of English language maps, tourism brochures and walking tours. Its branch office on Senado Square features an information office, gift store and Internet access.
Passes
There are currently no sightseeing passes for Macau.