Things to do in  Macau SAR

Yes. Although small in size, Macau offers many attractions and activities. It’s a major gambling and leisure destination with several massive casino and entertainment complexes. There are also historic sites, including its UNESCO-listed historic city center, colonial forts, ancient temples and gardens, interesting and diverse museums, beaches, islands, and charming seaside villages.

Macau is best known for gambling, which was legalized in the former Portuguese colony in 1847. Today, it’s home to more than 40 casinos and six major operators, including massive complexes like the Venetian, Sands, and MGM. Considered the Vegas of China (or the Vegas of Asia), Macau’s gambling revenues actually exceed that of Las Vegas.

Macau is quite compact, and you can actually see many of its highlights—such as Senado Square and the historic center, A-Ma Temple, Taipa or Coloane Village, and the casinos of Cotai Strip—in just one full day and night. There is enough to see and do to warrant another day or two.

There are many activities available in Macau. The casinos offer gambling, live shows and performances, shopping, and dining. Other popular activities include bungee jumping at Macau Tower, visiting historical sites and museums, seeing pandas at an ecological park, hiking, spending time on the beach, and visiting seaside villages.

There are some similarities. Both cities are known for gambling, though Las Vegas offers a greater number of casinos and hotels, and Macau generates more gambling revenue. Las Vegas gets more visitors overall, but Macau sees more gambling visitors. Although Macau is geographically smaller than Las Vegas, the two destinations have similar population sizes. Both also offer other attractions besides gambling.

Macau is a special administrative region of China. It was a Portuguese colony from the 16th century until 1999. Under the “one country, two systems” doctrine (which applies to both Macau and Hong Kong), Macau will enjoy limited autonomy, including having its own passport, money, and legal system, for a period of 50 years from 1999.