Explore Macau: 4 Unique Ways to Experience the Old City's Charm

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

 

Macau, a city frequently heard of and seen in Hong Kong films, is renowned for its entertainment industry. Luxury and spectacular large-scale hotels compete in splendor, with their magnificent exteriors and interiors, as well as exquisite restaurants, resembling dazzling exhibition centers that overwhelm the senses with opulence. However, does your impression of Macau stop there? In recent years, in addition to its glamorous casino hotels, Macau has also been actively inviting tourists to explore its ancient historical relics, fusion cuisine blending Eastern and Western flavors, and world-class performances, showcasing its ambition 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 uniquely Portuguese-flavored ambiance.

The Ruins of St. Paul’s is Macau’s most famous landmark. It is part of the Church of St. Paul, built in 1602. The church consisted of three halls and was constructed with the collaboration of craftsmen from China and Japan, taking eight years to complete. It became a center for Catholic missionary work in Southeast Asia. Later, when the Jesuits were expelled from Macau, 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 blend European Renaissance and traditional Eastern styles, making it unique 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 Lighthouse, with its snow-white exterior accented by yellow lines, served as a crucial navigational aid for ships entering the Pearl River before radar technology became widespread. Along with the Ruins of St. Paul’s and the Macau Tower, it is recognized as one of the Eight Scenes of Macau. As the oldest lighthouse on China’s coast and the earliest in the Far East, it is only open to visitors during the Macau Port Authority Day event each year, allowing them to climb the spiral staircase to the top for panoramic views of Macau and the magnificent estuary of the Pearl River.

 

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Address: Guia Hill 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 by the international veteran Franco Dragone. He worked with Cirque du Soleil for over twelve years and participated in more than ten shows, including “Alegria,” “Quidam,” “Saltimbanco,” and “Mystère,” with his classic works having been experienced by over 70 million people. The preparation for The House of Dancing Water took over two years, involving 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 in mid-air and over water. The main stage is 24 meters high (approximately eight stories), with an 8-meter-deep pool. It uses 258 automated fountains and 11 ten-ton hydraulic lifts, with a water capacity of 3.7 million gallons—over 3.5 times that of the largest water stage in Las Vegas. Miraculously, the stage can instantly transition from deep water to dry land, and the floor dries completely within just three seconds. Performers swing from high wires, perform human chandeliers, and execute fancy dives, then seamlessly switch to elegant ballet or high-speed driving on flat ground. Each athletic performer completes challenging aerial maneuvers like Olympians, 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 “The Butterfly Ballet” in 2012, which attracted over 300,000 visitors, MGM MACAU launched the “Fantasy 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 to design, preparation, and production, it took one year. Key components include a crimson coral palace, a cylindrical “Water Screen,” as well as installations such as giant seaweed, bubble ornaments, and schools of fish. The large seaweed pieces are all created using computer graphics and 3D printing technology, resulting in lifelike 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 creating a vibrant underwater scene, while at night, the lighting design creates a mesmerizing marine aurora effect.

 

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

Phone: +853 8802 8888