Portuguese-Cantonese heritage-imbued nuances colors every corner of the two islands and peninsula that make up the area. The old and the new mesh between the bright city lights and old-town squares of Macao. 

Home to a unique combination of Cantonese-Portuguese elements, Macao's vibrant cultural heritage often falls in the shadows of its blinding city lights and glittering chandeliers inside its grand hotel hallways.  

The Chinese special administrative area, which is infused with European roots across its 30-square-kilometer land, is located a short hour-long ferry ride from Hong Kong. 

Its preserved history still evident in the nooks and crannies across the city, while clusters of lavish hotel complexes, most of which host extensive casino grounds and luxurious shopping malls, greet guests upon arrival. 

is admirable about Macao’s tourism strategy is that the administration tries hard to maintain not only gaming but also tourism as its economic backbones. From having well-maintained historical buildings, hosting movie events, entertainment and world-class live performances, Macao clearly wants to expand its image.

According to Macao’s official website, http://en.Macaotourism.gov.mo/index.php, there will be 2017 Macao International Dragon Boat Races in Macao. The event will be held from May 27 to 30.

The House of Dancing Water live aquatic show in the City of Dreams in Cotai is one example. Built in a permanent venue called the Dancing Water Theater, the most expensive show in Macao features a love story, spectacular stage, music, dances, acrobatics and martial arts. With a 2,000-seat capacity and a pool holding more than five times the volume of an Olympic swimming pool, it is dubbed the world’s biggest water-based show.

When the show was first launched in 2010, people wondered whether it could create a new image of Macao. But now seven years have passed in a blink and the show that was created and directed by Franco Dragone of Cirque du Soleil continues to be successful.  

Macao also uses the appeal of the film industry to attract movie buffs. It is not unusual to hear someone say that want to visit the shooting locations of their favorite films – from the hugely popular South Korean Drama Boys Before Flowers to Now You See Me 2. Last year, the region hosted the first International Film Festival and Awards Macao (IFFAM), celebrating cinema and featuring international and Asian movie debuts.

If you want to go around the city, just hop on the free shuttle bus widely available at hotels to reach the center of attractions downtown. Public buses also ply as many as 18 different routes. 

Macao comprises the Macao peninsula and the two islands of Taipa and Coloane. The peninsula and Taipa are connected by three bridges, while Taipa and Coloane are linked by the 2.2-kilometer Taipa-Coloane Causeway.

While you may have a lot of attractions to visit on your itinerary, it is best to have one or two priorities and go with the flow and absorb the city’s ambiance. One of the most iconic places to take pictures is the Ruins of St. Paul’s. The alleys leading to the heritage place are full of small shops selling Chinese snacks, Chinese herbal remedies, jewelry, books and newspapers. The narrow alleys that lead to apartment buildings have their own attraction as many of them have motorcycles parked tidily on the roadside.  

It takes just a few minutes by foot to reach the Ruins of St. Paul’s from the popular Largo do Senado (Senate Square) and St. Dominic’s Church. Largo do Senado is named after the Leal Senado Building (Loyal Senate Building), a neoclassic-style building constructed in 1784. 

When you arrive there, you will be surrounded by elegant European buildings with stylish paintwork – all are eager to show off the past glory of the Portuguese colonial era. 

By using Google Maps or simply a map from the front desk of your hotel, you can find your way to other landmarks, such as the Macao Convention and Entertainment Center, the Grand Lisboa Casino, Macao Fisherman’s Wharf and the Macao Science Center.

Besides the glitz of Macao’s sparkly days and nights, the region actually has a lot more to offer in terms of preserved historical sites.

Late at night, if you are lucky, you can find a local food stall offering delicious Chinese porridge. The locals’ warmth is definitely something I want to experience again when I get a chance to return to the Las Vegas of China.

About Macao International dragon boat races

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