I visited Macau as a day trip by taking a ferry from Shenzhen. Macau is one of the two Special Administrative Regions (SAR) of China (the other being Hong Kong). Macau was under Portuguese administration for over 400 years.
Macau was one of the earliest European colonies in Asia and the last to be relinquished, thus has a more visible colonial history than neighboring Hong Kong. The Historic Center of Macau is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Photos below are from the historic center.
The Ruins of St. Paul’s is the most famous landmark of Macau. Constructed from 1602 to 1640, the structure was the largest church in Asia at the time. The original structure was made of wood, which burned down in a fire during a typhoon in 1835, leaving only the beautiful granite façade and a grand staircase of 68 stone steps leading up to it. The Ruins is officially listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the Historic Center of Macau.
The Ruins of St. Paul’sSide view of The Ruins of St. Paul’s; The original structure was made of wood, which burned down in a fire during a typhoon in 1835, leaving only the beautiful granite façadeA grand staircase of 68 stone steps leading up to The Ruins of St. Paul’s.The Friendship Statue, a young Chinese girl handing over a lotus flower, a symbol of purity, to a young Portuguese boy. Entire Historic Center of Macau is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.The Holy House of Mercy (Portuguese: Santa Casa da Misericórdia) was built in 1569. It was a medical clinic and several other social welfare structures in early Macau. It later served as an orphanage and refuge for widows of sailors lost at sea. It is part of the Historic Center of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.St. Dominic’s Church was completed in 1587. The church is listed as one of the 29 sites that form the Historic Center of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The Senado Square, a paved town square, is part of the Historic Center of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.. It covers an area of 3,700 square meters.
Macau is the gambling capital of East Asia. Macau’s economy is heavily reliant on casino gaming. Macau generates more revenue from gambling than anywhere else on the planet, including “The Strip” in Las Vegas. Below are photos of few of the international casinos you will find in Macau.
Grand Lisboa, a hotel and casino in the downtown Macau.Casino buildings in Downtown MacauThe Venetian hotel and Casino, Macau.The Venetian hotel and Casino, Macau.The Venetian hotel and Casino, Macau.Macau includes the islands of Taipa and Coloane, which are connected to Macau by bridges and high speed Catamaran ferry.Macau Tower is the tallest building in Macau. The tower is used for a variety of adventurous activities like, world’s highest commercial Bungy Jump, SkyJump, and SkyWalk.Enjoying locally brewed Macau Beer Brown Ale.
After one day visit to the gambling capital of East Asia, I returned back to Shenzhen.
In May 2017, 23 days before I was going to complete 50 years, grabbed an opportunity and took an early retirement.. Picked up a backpack and traveling ever since.. Love to travel around the world, experience different culture, local cuisine & drinks .. and take pictures.. so far been to 108 countries and still counting...
Window on the World 