Macau Through British Eyes: 26 Casinos, Impeccably Clean, and Dog-Friendly Toilets

By Rita

The unique charm of Macau lies in its fusion of Portuguese and Chinese cultures. Its architecture can sometimes make you feel as if you're in Lisbon. Located at the mouth of the Pearl River in southern China, Macau includes the Macau Peninsula and two outlying islands (Taipa and Coloane), all connected by three massive bridges. In 1999, Macau became a Special Administrative Region of China after separating from Portuguese administration.

▲ Macau (Image / Wikipedia)

According to the UK’s Daily Mail,visiting British tourists are amazed by how clean Macau is — even the public toilets have dedicated facilities for dogs.The blend of Eurasian cultures is also reflected in the food. At Cafe Litoral, you can try dishes that combine Portuguese, Chinese, Indian, South American, African, and Malaysian flavors. And at Macau Tower, you can experience the world’s highest bungee jump, plummeting 232 meters in just 17 seconds. Still not thrilling enough? Try walking “on air” along the tower’s outer edge — without any guardrails.

▲ The Merchant of Venice (Image / Venetian Macao Macau fan page)

Macau’s synonym, “casino,” is represented by a total of 26 casinos across the region, including the world’s largest — The Venetian. It’s about the size of Wembley Stadium and houses 500 baccarat tables, roulette wheels, and blackjack games.Aside from horse racing, gambling is illegal in Hong Kong, which is why thousands of Hong Kongers and mainland Chinese flock to Macau to try their luck.

If you’re tired of the casino atmosphere, you can also head outdoors to observe local life, then visit the city center’s most famous Lord Stow’s Bakery to try their Portuguese egg tarts. The owner isn’t Portuguese but British. He modified the original recipe by using a British-style custard filling, and its popularity — with over 3,000 sold daily — speaks for itself.

▲ Ruins of St. Paul’s (Image / Wikipedia)

Compared to Hong Kong, Macau is much more affordable. Whether or not you gamble isn’t the point — if you want to experience a true cultural melting pot, Macau is definitely a great choice.