Magical Macau

Sightseeing

Portas do Cerco. The old border gate between mainland China and Macau, built in 1849, is now the centrepiece of a modern and much bigger customs and immigration building.

Ruins of Saint Paul's Cathedral. A symbol of Macau and a pretty neat historical site, the cathedral has been scarred by fire more than once, with the final 1835 blaze leaving only the façade intact. Visitors to the site now can see parts of the foundation through glass panels in the ground, descend into the crypts below, or climb a steel catwalk to the façade's upper windows and see the low-rise city centre spread out at the cathedral's feet.

A Ma Temple. The protector of seafarers gave the city its name – A Ma Gao or 'A Ma Harbour' – and the temple erected in her honour by 15th century fishermen is one of the city's most revered landmarks as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Macau Tower. The 338m tall steel tower offers 360 degree views of the city and harbour. Daredevils can sign up for the world's highest bungee jump – 233 metres from the observation deck.

Largo Leal Senado. The centre of Macau Peninsula is this tiled square surrounded by colonial style buildings housing historical sites as well as shops and restaurants of every description.

The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. This sprawling hotel takes up one fifth of Macau's total area – that's including the swath of reclaimed land it sits on. A colossal gaming floor, a network of canals, a faux sky in eternal twilight mode, and loads of shops, restaurants and bars make it a city unto itself. The new ZAIA Theatre is home to Cirque du Soleil's first resident show in Asia.

Taipa Village. A quaint neighbourhood to amble around, full of Macanese, Portuguese and hordes of other dining options. The mammoth Venetian is now the backdrop to Taipa's original two-storey sherbet-coloured shophouses.

Hac Sa. The natural 'black sand beach' on Coloane Island is lined with stalls hawking barbecue and cold beer. The water is swimmable, but locals gather here mostly for the food and the view.

Fisherman's Wharf. You'll spot the side-by-side volcano and Colosseum from Avenida Amizade – inside, European style row houses reinforce the amusement park vibe, but this place is home to some very good restaurants and shops.

Guia Hill and Fortress. Set atop the highest point in Macau, the historic fortress compound includes a lighthouse, chapel, barracks and residences, and ammunition storage, all dating back to the 17th century. A beautifully landscaped walk to the top offers a look at the city from this historically important vantage point.