You may also see this country spelled as Macao, Macau is a
Special Administrative Region (SAR) in China. Basically, this
means that, like Hong Kong, it was released from foreign control
and came under rule of the Chinese. Also similar to Hong Kong,
laws are different in Macau than on mainland China. The area is
one of the world's most densely populated regions. Gambling is
legal in Macau, so that is another big draw for people from all
over. Some say the area is becoming a sort of Las Vegas of Asia,
especially the Cotai Strip.
The main regions in the country have traditionally been the
Macau Peninsula, Taipa and Coloane. The Cotai Strip is a new
region. It is the world's largest man-made island, and reclaims
land between Taipa and Coloane. The Cotai Strip has come a long
way, but it still isn't finished. Even so, it's a popular
destination for those who like casinos - the glamour and
excitement.
If gambling isn't for you, there are plenty of other things to
do in Macau because of its interesting mix of European and
Chinese cultures. For example, here are some ideas:
Museums - There are many
wonderful museums found throughout Macau that will let you see
some of the artifacts from the area. You just might be
surprised what you find. It's definitely worth your time if
history excites you.
Beaches - Being close to
the water, you know Macau is bound to have some great beaches
where you can lie out in the sun, or get some exercise
swimming, scuba diving, or even surfing.
Shopping - While shopping
may not be as good as it is in Hong Kong, there are some
mall-type shops in some of the casinos, and an eclectic mix of
shops in the city itself. If you look, you're going to find
what you want.
Restaurants - Macau is well
known for having a high number of high quality restaurants.
Perhaps this is because gambling is so prevalent in the area,
but whatever the reason, you're going to "cash in" on good
eating in the country if you take your time and select
carefully.
Still, if you come to Macau, gambling and the night life of
the casinos might be what you're after. If that's the case, you
won't be disappointed. While the older, more established casinos
are all on the southern coast of the Peninsula, the Cotai Strip
has had several large casinos open since 2007. The point is, not
matter what type of casino you're wanting to visit, Macau may
indeed be the Las Vegas of Asia.
Macau Travel Tips:
Weather - While it is very
warm in Macau, most of the casinos and buildings are air
conditioned. This means you may be going from hot to cold and
back again if you leave the casino often to see the rest of
the city (and get some fresh air.) With this in mind, you'll
want to take extra precautions to make sure you don't catch a
cold when in Macau.
Communication - Macau
actually has great cell phone reception compares to some other
countries in Asia. You'll want to make sure your carrier works
in the area, but there should be a cell phone option available
when you get there, even if it is buying a local prepaid cell
phone.
Crime - While in Macau you
may want to be more careful than if you were in some other
places on the planet, but that doesn't mean the area is unsafe
to travel to. As long as you play it safe and smart, you
shouldn't have any problems out of the ordinary while visiting
Macau and having the time of your life.
Traveling to Macau isn't going to be for everyone, but if
you're looking for an alternative to Hong Kong, then this
country might fit you nicely. If you're lucky and plan ahead,
you may even get to spend a decent amount of time in more than
one casino in the area. If Las Vegas is old hat, give Macau a
chance.
