Macau is a popular, must-see sidetrip when visiting Hong Kong, a common starting/stopping point for many Asia trips or a destination in itself. I love Hong Kong, with its unique and wonderful blend of British and Asian cultures – heck, if it weren’t for the air pollution (which is, admittedly, pretty bad), I’d love to live there.
But taking the trip to Macau reminds you of how diverse this region is. Macau, a small, small place, is similar to Hong Kong in that it is a “special administrative region” of China. But it’s not China, and it’s totally unlike Hong Kong because instead of a heavy British influence, it has a very heavy Portuguese influence. Everything from the art and architecture, to the food and customs, all carry a rich reflection of the country that originally pioneered this land.
But Macau is known as a gambling destination – would you believe more money is spent here in casinos than in Las Vegas? Indeed. But you don’t have to break the bank – here are some cheap ways to enjoy Macau.
These burning incense "lanterns" hang in the temples in both Hong Kong and Macau.
Believe it or not, Macau’s richest cultural attraction (at least in my humble opinion, the richest) are actually free. They include:
Here’s a good tip for you – taxis are expensive, but if you do some pre-planning, you can figure out which casino is near your destination. And then hop on one of the free casino buses – they don’t check reservations because they’re just too busy. This does require some planning, as I say, but it is helpful.
Just like in Vegas, many of the casinos have free shows to entice you in for a drink and some gambling. A few popular ones:
These can change regularly (you know those casinos never sit still), so be sure to ask around for the latest times and free show offerings.
Posted : Thursday, December 1st, 2011 at 11:00
Andy Hayes is a travel journalist currently based in Seattle, Washington. When not soaking up the Pacific Northwest lifestyle or enjoying life on the road, he is spending time hanging out on his own travel lifestyle magazine, Sharing Travel Experiences.