In the 1940s, the city was considered a paradise for debauchery, gambling, prostitution, drugs and thus the mafia. This image has stuck to his skin for too many years despite the immense efforts of the local authorities. Today Macao is a land of contrasts. The city is still very much linked to gambling (liberalisation of the casino market in 2001) and the atmosphere has become more conventional, more refined and controlled. It is still known as the Asian Las Vegas and yet Macao casinos have more than double the turnover of the American city since 2007, it even has the largest casino in the world. Not only paradoxical in its architecture, the city is also rich in a great ethnic melting pot. Besides that, when you arrive in Macao you discover an atmosphere that you usually don't expect. Magnificent old buildings, imprinted with its Portuguese past, are very well preserved and dot the city. Churches, bars, restaurants, parks, colonial palaces in European styles stand side by side along cobbled alleys against popular Chinese neighborhoods or ultramodern office, residential, and casino buildings. This modern and eclectic urban planning has grown exponentially over the last twenty years, but this does not detract from its special charm. The old town centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Before the integration into China, the Portuguese took care to renovate all the most beautiful buildings so that they remained respected in the local heritage. Tourists and large numbers of weekend Chinese visitors to Macao usually visit the new neighborhoods where luxury hotels and gaming halls are growing visibly. Almost everything here is dedicated to this extremely lucrative activity, there are a multitude of casinos, but betting on races is also very popular (horses and dogs). The quality of service is worthy of the greatest European palaces, the food is delicious, the stores of international brands and many modern entertainment are present. Here, no time to get bored. Macao is therefore a city that combines the charm of a city with a European air with the pleasures of modern life. For swimming lovers, it is also possible to enjoy the two islands of Taipa and Coloane which have beautiful beaches well equipped. The climate on the peninsula is very rapidly changing, the months from April to October are generally quite warm and very humid, on average the temperature rises around 30°C. At the end of summer, the city is crossed by a strong wind and typhoons are common. It is therefore advisable to travel to Macao in autumn, which corresponds to the dry season and warmer temperatures.

Art and culture in Macao
Culture also reflects both cultures, so the official languages are Portuguese and Chinese. You can also learn some notions of Feng Shui, this ancestral tradition which is a mixture between religious belief, philosophy and science. It allows furniture and homes to be oriented in order to live in a universe perfectly in balance with energies. You can bring back from your trip many souvenirs, Buddha figurines etc..

What to visit in Macao
Many attractions are to be seen here. Start with the Senate, the temples A Ma and Lin Fong, the fort of Guia, the many Baroque churches, like that of Sao Paulo, or the Holy House of Mercy. In contrast, some casinos are present: Venetian (the largest casino in the world) and Lisboa. Stroll through the public gardens, St. Augustine's Square, Praia Avenue in Taipa and the exotic food markets. Enter the Tea Culture House and attempt a hot air balloon flight on the Pearl River.