Macau Top Attractions

Senado Square
This photogenic set-piece Portuguese plaza features several stunning facades in pastel tones of lemon and raspberry, plus the stone grey neo-classical Correios e Telegrafos - one of Asia's finest post office buildings. The architectural highlight is the magnificent Leal Senado municipal chambers, replete with arched courtyards and blue and white patterned azulejo tiles. Other eye-catching edifices are the Holy House of Mercy and the splendid Sao Domingos Church.

Access via Avenida Almeida Ribeiro, Central Macau

Historic Old City
Ascribed UNESCO World Heritage status in 2005, the old city has eight squares and 22 historic buildings. The narrow lanes, markets and sloping cobbles combine the architectural drama of backstreet Porto and the bustling energy, cooking smells and Cantonese dialect of southern China. The ruined façade of the Sao Paulo church can be found adjacent to the fascinating Museu de Macau and the cannons of the Monte Fort. A short walk away is the pleasant Camões Garden, named after Portugal's favourite poet, Luís de Camões.

Central Macau

Macau Tower
Dominating a slab of reclaimed land and the man-made Sai Van and Nam Van lakes, the 333m- (1992ft-) high Macau Tower is Asia's third-tallest television tower. The views across Macau to the Chinese mainland, and over Taipa Island towards Coloane, from the 61st floor observation deck are spectacular. Here too, adventure sports enthusiasts can take a tumble from the world's highest bungy jump, skywalk the tower's perimeter or climb to its summit. The adjacent convention and entertainment centre includes cafes, a history museum and a Warner Brothers Studio Store.

Largo da Torre de Macau, South Macau
Tel: 9888 656.
Website: www.macautower.com.mo 

A-Ma Temple
Burning incense and several layers of stone pavilions, gardens, statues and Buddhist and Taoist shrines are dedicated to A-Ma, a sea goddess after whom Macau is named: the temple is called A-Ma Gao (Place of A-Ma). A pleasant and spiritual atmosphere is frequently punctured by the ear-splitting bursts of firecrackers to frighten away evil spirits.

Rua de Barra and Rua de Sao Tiago de Barra, South Macau

The Cotai Strip
The scale of Asia's answer to Las Vegas is astonishing. Sitting on a strip of reclaimed land linking the islands of Coloane and Taipa (hence the name), Cotai's highway features palm trees and stone statues depicting the Chinese animals of the zodiac. The first phase of the gaming and leisure district will open in late 2007, when Sheldon Adelson's Venetian integrated gaming, convention, shopping, dining and hotel resort unlocks its doors. By 2010, it will be joined by the City of Dreams, Galaxy Mega Resort, Macau Studio City and a Cirque de Soleil show theatre, plus hotels by Hilton, Conrad, Shangri-La, St Regis, Four Seasons, Hard Rock, Wynn, Fairmont and Raffles. At the Coloane end of the strip is the new 18-hole Orient Golf Club (tel: 2888 0104).