Explore Macau’s Old-World Charm: 4 Must-Do Experiences

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network / Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported

 

Macau—this city famous for its entertainment industry is often heard and seen in Hong Kong films. Luxury and spectacular large-scale hotels compete for attention, with their magnificent exteriors and interiors and exquisite dining establishments, resembling dazzling exhibition centers of opulence that overwhelm the senses. But is your image of Macau limited to just this? In recent years, in addition to its glamorous casino hotels, Macau has also been beckoning tourists with its ancient historical relics, local cuisine that blends Eastern and Western flavors, and world-class performances, showcasing its ambitions as a top travel destination through diverse experiences. This summer, take a trip to Macau, temporarily forget the gambling battles at the tables, slow down, and fully immerse yourself in this unique ambiance rich with Portuguese charm.

The Ruins of St. Paul’s is Macau’s most iconic landmark. It is part of the former St. Paul’s Cathedral, built in 1602. The cathedral was composed of three halls, constructed with the collaboration of craftsmen from China and Japan, and took eight years to complete, becoming a center for Catholic missionary work in Southeast Asia. Later, the Jesuits were expelled from Macau, and the original church was turned into a military barracks. Sadly, a major fire in 1835 almost completely destroyed the church, leaving only the Ruins of St. Paul’s that we see today. The Chinese characters and chrysanthemum patterns on the façade uniquely blend European Renaissance and traditional Eastern styles, making it truly one of a kind among Catholic churches worldwide.

 

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Address: Reach via Ruins of St. Paul’s Street uphill from the Chapel of St. Dominic

The Guia Fortress and Lighthouse features a snow-white exterior accented with yellow lines. Before radar equipment became widespread, it served as a key navigational aid for ships entering the Pearl River. Along with the Ruins of St. Paul’s and the Macau Tower, it is known as one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Macau. As the oldest lighthouse on China’s coast and in the Far East, it is only open to visitors during the annual “Macau Maritime Authority Day” event. Visitors can then climb the spiral staircase to the top of the lighthouse to enjoy panoramic views of Macau and the vast expanse of the Pearl River Estuary.

 

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Address: Guia Slope

The world’s largest aquatic performance, “The House of Dancing Water,” is a collaboration between City of Dreams and Franco Dragone Entertainment Group, directed personally by international veteran Franco Dragone. He worked with Cirque du Soleil for over twelve years and participated in more than ten shows, including “Alegría,” “Quidam,” “Saltimbanco,” and “Mystère.” To date, over 70 million people have experienced his classic works. The preparation for The House of Dancing Water took over two years and involved 77 international performers from more than 18 countries, along with 130 behind-the-scenes production staff, technicians, and divers, to bring the performance to life.

 

The world’s largest aquatic show truly lives up to its name, featuring high-difficulty performances both high above and in the water. The main stage is 24 meters high (approximately eight stories), with an 8-meter-deep pool. It utilizes 258 automated fountains and 11 ten-ton elevating platforms, with a water capacity of 3.7 million gallons—more than 3.5 times that of the largest water stage in Las Vegas. Amazingly, the stage can instantly switch from deep water to dry land, and the floor can be dried completely within just 3 seconds. Performers swing from high-altitude trapezes, perform human chandeliers, dive acrobatically, then gracefully ballet dance or speed drive on flat ground. Each athletic performer executes difficult aerial maneuvers like Olympic athletes, complemented by stunning stage effects that leave audiences in awe.

 

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Address: Estrada do Istmo

Phone: +853 8868 6688

Following the success of “MGM Grand Finale” in 2012, which attracted over 300,000 visitors, MGM MACAU launched the “Fantastic Light Journey” in May this year. Designed around the ocean theme, it offers a comprehensive, all-day entertainment experience of MGM’s unique “Light. Water. World.” and entry is free.

 

“Light. Water. World.” is a collaboration between MGM’s professional team and renowned American installation designer Stephen Stefanou. From conception, design, preparation to production, it took a year. Its main components include a crimson coral palace, a cylindrical “Water Screen,” plus large seaweed, bubble ornaments, and schools of fish. The giant seaweed is entirely created using computer graphics and 3D printing technology, with vivid shapes. The fish displayed in the “Water Screen” include three small Blacktip Reef Sharks from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, as well as over a thousand Red Emperor Snappers, Golden Trevallies, and Roundface Batfish from the South China Sea. During the day, sunlight filters through the screen, presenting a vibrant scene, while at night, under lighting design, it creates another enchanting ocean aurora beauty.

 

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Address: Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, Cotai Reclamation Area

Phone: +853 8802 8888