Macau is the Asian version of Las Vegas as it is the largest casino city in Asia. People all over Asia flock to the city to gamble at the casino as in most Asian countries, gambling and casinos are illegal. But Macau is more than just gambling and casino. Macau has some of the most beautiful heritage architecture in Asia and is listed one of the UNESCO heritage sites. Its architectural heritage is a blend from the Portuguese influence during the colonial era with the traditional Chinese architecture. In this how to visit Macau page, you can learn some basic information about visiting Macau.

Compared to most Asian cities, Macau is quite safe and hygienic, although you still need to be aware of petty crimes such as pickpockets and scams. There are several numbers you can dial in case of emergency such as 999, 110, and 112.http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/info/info.php The official language of Macau is Portuguese and Chinese, with Cantonese widely spoken by the people. English are widely used in commerce and tourism.http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/info/info.php

The official currency in Macau is Pataca (MOP), but Hongkong Dollar is also widely accepted. You can also use your credit cards in most hotels, shops, and restaurants. You can freely bring in or take out any amount of money in any currency to Macau.

One of the most efficient transportation in Macau is by bus. All Macau bus is air-conditioned and has flat fare, depending on your destination.http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/info/transport.php You can also take casino bus which is free.

Another good transportation in Macau is by taxi. All taxis in Macau use metered fare. To prevent language barrier between the driver and the tourist, the Macau government has provided most taxis with guides in English, Portuguese, and Chinese. But to prevent misunderstanding, it is a good idea to tell the driver the destination in Chinese. Some of the most popular destination and the Chinese name are:

• A-Ma Temple - Ma Kok Miu
• Civic & Municipal Affairs Bureau - Man Zheng Zhong Chu
• Av Almeida Ribeiro - San Ma Lô
• St. Paul's Ruins - Tai Sam Pá
• Lisboa Hotel - Pou Keng
• Macau Ferry Terminal - Kong Ou Má Tau
• Barrier Gate - Kwan Tchap
• Guia Hill - Tchong San
• Cultural Centre - Man Fá Tchong Sam
• Airport - Kei Cheonghttp://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/info/transport.php

You can also hire a car and a driver to drive you around Macau. The car is usually quite new as the government has the regulation to prohibit the rent of cars older than 10 years.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/macau/transport/getting-around You can also rent a bike within Taipa Village, though you cannot ride it across the Macau-Taipa bridge. Try the tricycle rickshaw for a short distant ride to experience the unique traditional transportation.

There are several types of accommodation in Macau. To stay at budget hotel, choose the 2-star hotels and below. Mid-range priced hotels are the 3-star hotels while hotels with 4-5 stars are usually luxury hotels.http://wikitravel.org/en/Macau You can get lower price if you book the hotel via your travel agents before you arrive to the city.

Cuisine in Macau is a blend between Portuguese cuisine and Chinese cuisine. Macanese food is the blend between the two cuisines with addition of African spices and is unique to the city.

Taipa is a popular destination to enjoy Portuguese and Macanese food in Macau. Eating in high class restaurants can be expensive, especially if you order luxury food such as sharks fin or abalone.

Dim Sum is the most popular Cantonese breakfast that are enjoyed by foreigners and Chinese alike. The breakfast consists of dumplings, steamed filled bread, and other delicacies that are served in bamboo steamers or small plates. The breakfast is served with hot Chinese tea.

You can also find many restaurants that sell dishes from around the world such as Korean food, Thai food, and Western food. There are also many coffee shops with different styles where you can sample the delicious pastries including the famous Portuguese egg tart.

Tourists usually come to Macau to gamble in the casinos around the region. If you want to try your hand at gambling, there are many casinos in Macau you can try your hand on. You must be 18 years old and older to be able to play in the casino. Only play what you can afford. Aside from gambling, you can also try your luck at the Greyhound Racing and soccer or basketball lottery.

Gambling is not the only thing you can do while in Macau. There are many attractions and activities you can do while you visit Macau.

One of the best tourist attractions in Macau is the Historic Center where you can see the buildings during the Portuguese colonial era. There are churches, mansions, fortress, and museums. The ruin of St. Paul’s cathedral, Old Fortress, and a church cum museum, St. Dominic are some of the most popular buildings in the place. To see the traditional Chinese architecture, you can visit A-Ma Temple.

Try the Macau Sky Jump at the Macau Tower to experience the highest jump in the world.http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/discovering/entertainment.php If you are less adventurous but wish to see Macau from above, try the cable car to see the panoramic view of the hills.

Other attractions in Macau are sports, including horse riding and racing, bowling, karting, trekking, water sports, and golf. Also, don’t forget to see “The Dragon Treasure” show, which combines the use of lights, fire, and laser at The Bubble within the City of Dreams casino.