Top Things to See
Macau offers up a significant number of historical attractions in a relatively small urban area. Nearly five centuries of European and Asian influences have left their mark, and the Portuguese influence dating from the mid-16th century is particularly pronounced. Macau’s historic centre boasts 28 monuments and eight public squares, and was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2005.
 A-Ma Temple
When the Portuguese landed on the shore of the peninsula opposite the A-Ma Temple, they were told by locals that the bay where they arrived was named after the goddess A-Ma (pronounced ah-mah gaw in Chinese). When the foreigners tried to pronounce these words, it came out ‘Ma Cau,’ and hence the city was named Macau. This temple is the oldest in the city, with its buildings dating to around 1500.
East India Company Cemetery
Also known as the ‘Old Protestant Cemetery’, the cemetery is very similar to Protestant graveyards seen in England. If you’re looking for important persons buried here, you’ll find tombstones marking the graves of the Right Honourable Lord HI Spencer Churchill (an ancestor of Winston Churchill) and artist George Chinnery.
 Kun Iam Tong Temple
The original temple building pre-dated the A-Ma temple, but the current buildings date from 1627. One of the most important Buddhist temples in the territory, Kun Iam Tong was re-constructed in an ornate style, complete with painted porcelain figures embellishing the exterior. In 1844, the first trade and friendship treaty between China and the US was signed here.
 Largo do Senado
Largo do Senado, or Senate Square as it’s known in English, is paved with tiles depicting swirling waves and is the centre of Macau and the point from which most tourists begin exploring the city. If you stand at the fountain in the centre of the square, you’ll see examples of colonial architecture and stunning monuments in every direction. Examples include the Leal Senado, Santa Casa da Misericordia, and the Sao Domingos Church. There’s a pleasant shady area here that features a small café. Directly opposite the square is a tourist information office.
 Monte Fort
The Monte Fort dates to the 17th century and currently houses the Macau Museum. There are also several original cannons on site and a spectacular view of the city from the grounds of the fort. In the museum, you’ll find collections of Chinese and Portuguese artefacts from both pre-colonial and colonial times.
 Na-Tcha Temple
One of the most un-adorned temples in Macau, the Na Tcha Temple was constructed in 1888 with the intention of providing an atmosphere of primitive simplicity. All objects that you see in the temple were carved from stone. Na-Tcha is a figure in Chinese mythology.
 Rua da Felicidade
Hidden behind the Leal Senado you’ll find the rua da Felicidade, or Happiness street as it was once known. Historically, this was the centre of Macau’s red light district, and the road was thought to bring happiness to some. Today, the atmosphere is more family-oriented and the lovely shop houses along the street have been renovated to serve as guesthouses, restaurants and an assortment of shops.
 St Paul's Cathedral
The ruins of St Paul's Cathedral rank as the most photographed site in Macau. What is left standing is actually the façade of the Church of the Blessed Virgin, built in 1580 and severely damaged by fire in 1835. The stone façade integrates elements of both Chinese and western architectural styles.
Top Things to Do
 Feel the speed go-karting. There’s a go-kart track on an area of reclaimed land between Coloane and Taipa islands, at the southern end of Cotai, which is easily reached by bus from the city. Popular with families, the track can be booked for private events. At a leisurely pace, it only takes about a minute to navigate a lap around the track.
Pretend you’re in Venice. If you’ve always wanted to ride through Venice’s canals on a gondola, Macau’s newest casino and mega hotel offers something similar. Like its counterpart in Los Vegas, The Venetian Macau has an indoor recreation of one of Italy’s most romantic settings.
 Take to the clouds for a sky-jump. The Macau Tower offers visitors looking for extreme adventure a different kind of experience. A New Zealander has set up an operation here boasting a few unusual options. There’s a mast climb that’ll take you to the top of the Macau Tower, from where you can descend to the outer rim using ropes. Alternatively, try walking around the tower’s rim, which has no protective rail. You can also bungee and sky-jump from the tower.
Try your luck gambling. Gambling has long been the biggest industry in Macau, and each day you can see busloads of mainland Chinese arriving with hopes of striking it rich. Hong Kong residents also flock to the casinos at weekends with the same objective, many arriving by jetfoil. Macau’s casinos are said to offer the largest array of games of chance anywhere in the world, including baccarat, blackjack, boule, fan-tan, roulette and hundreds of varieties of glittering slot machines. Most casinos are found on the peninsula’s southern side, along the waterfront.
Watch greyhound or horse racing from the grandstand. Dog racing is held nightly at the Canidrome, with up to 15 races held daily. Expect the venue to be crowded, as this is a popular sport. Macau’s Jockey Club offers horse racing fans modern facilities including an air-conditioned grandstand and private boxes. From late August to early September, there is a summer recess when no race meetings are scheduled.
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