A general view from the historic part of Macau.(AFP/Isaac Lawrence)

A few days ago, I overheard someone rhetorically saying, “What is there to do in Macau (also spelled Macao) besides gamble?” For those who haven’t visited this special region of China, asking such a question is understandable, but anyone who thinks that gambling is the only stimulant in this former Portuguese colony had better think again.

The Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) is indeed the Las Vegas of China. It is dotted with glamorous five-star hotels and casinos that lure visitors with numerous traditional and modern games that only a city with a strong gaming industry can offer.

You simply can’t forget that gaming is the main attraction in this region even after you enter your hotel room. A lavish hotel with a casino in Cotai, for example, has friendly notifications in the form of greeting cards cleverly placed in strategic places inside the room, encouraging guests to get out of their cozy bed and try their luck downstairs.

Macau’s foreign arrival figure could make other Asian countries envious. The only place in China where gambling is allowed recorded 30.9 million visitors in 2016, a large number compared to its approximately 600,000 residents.

What is admirable about Macau’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, Macau clearly wants to expand its image.

According to Macau’s official website, http://en.Macautourism.gov.mo/index.php, there will be 2017 Macau International Dragon Boat Races in Macau. 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 Macau 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 Macau. 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.  

Macau 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 Macau (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.

Macau comprises the Macau 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 Macau Convention and Entertainment Center, the Grand Lisboa Casino, Macau Fisherman’s Wharf and the Macau Science Center.

Besides the glitz of Macau’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.

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