Macau
Macau or Macao is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China (PRC). With a population of about 710,000 people and a land area of 32.9 km2 (12.7 sq mi), it is the most densely populated region in the world. Formerly a Portuguese colony, the territory of Portuguese Macau was first leased to Portugal by the Ming dynasty as a trading post in 1557. Portugal paid an annual rent and administered the territory under Chinese sovereignty until 1887, when Portugal gained perpetual colonial rights with the signing of the Sino-Portuguese Treaty of Peking. The colony remained under Portuguese rule until the 1999 handover to China. Macau is a special administrative region of China, which maintains separate governing and economic systems from those of mainland China under the principle of "one country, two systems". The unique blend of Portuguese and Chinese architecture in the city's historic centre has resulted in its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The gambling industry of Macau is seven times larger than that of Las Vegas. The city has one of the highest GDPs per capita and GDPs per capita by purchasing power parity in the world. It has a very high Human Development Index of 0.925, as calculated by the Government of Macau, and the fourth-highest life expectancy in the world. The territory is highly urbanised, holding the status of the most densely populated territory on Earth; two-thirds of the total land area is built on land reclaimed from the sea.
One-Day Macau Tour Itinerary Recommendations
Theme:
East-Meets-West Culture + Casino Glamour + Foodie Paradise
Suitable for:
History buffs/Food lovers/Photographers (Transport: Bus + Walking + Free Casino Shuttles)
Practical Tips
Transport Hacks:
Free shuttles connect all casinos | Bus fare MOP$6/ride
Secret Spots:
Guia Lighthouse for classic Grand Lisboa shots
Creative photos at Calcada da Igreja de São Lazaro
Foodie Lingo:
"No green" = no scallions | "Fly ice" = no ice
Alternative Options:
Family version: Studio City's Golden Reel + Warner Bros. Fun Zone
Nostalgic version: Vintage tram tour of Macau Peninsula
Key Advice: Casinos ban under-21s! Bring ID + comfortable shoes.
Option 1:
World Heritage Cultural Route
Best for:
First-time visitors
Transport:
Walking + Free Casino Shuttles
08:30-10:00 Ruins of St. Paul's + Lover's Lane
Macau's landmark photo spot | Best angles from Uniqlo 3rd floor
10:30-12:00 St. Dominic's Church + Senado Square
Portuguese-style architecture | Visit Leal Senado Building
12:30-14:00 Wong Chi Kei Noodle House
Must-try wonton noodles | 60-year-old institution
14:30-16:30 A-Ma Temple + Macau Tower
Get lucky charms | Try the 233m Skywalk
17:00-19:00 Taipa Village + Our Lady of Carmel
Pork chop buns & Serradura | Pastel-green Portuguese houses
Option 2:
Luxury Entertainment & Shopping
Best for:
High-rollers/Shopaholics
Transport:
Free Casino Shuttles
10:00-12:00 The Venetian Resort
Gondola rides | Grand Canal Shopping Mall
12:30-14:00 Parisian Buffet
Eiffel Tower views | Unlimited oysters
14:30-17:00 City of Dreams + Wynn Palace
Watch "The House of Dancing Water" | Free cable car fountain show
18:00-20:00 Galaxy Resort Shopping
Duty-free luxury brands | Diamond lobby shows
Option 3:
Local Foodie Crawl
Best for:
Culinary adventurers
Transport:
Walking + Bus
08:00-10:00 Mercado de São Domingos Food Court
Local breakfast: Claypot coffee + rice noodle rolls
10:30-12:30 Rua da Felicidade + Yee Shun Milk
Century-old street | Must-eat double-skin milk pudding
13:00-15:00 Coloane Island
Lord Stow's egg tarts | Walk along Avenida de Cinco de Outubro
16:00-19:00 Three Lamps District
Burmese fish soup noodles | Yat Heen noodles