Strolling in Macau: A Visitor’s Guide to Macau, Taipa, and Coloane

From its cuisine to its architecture, the southern Chinese port of Macau is truly a city of contrasts. The ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral, the iconic symbol of this former Portuguese colony, stand beside a temple devoted to Na Tcha, the monkey god. Residents practice traditional Chinese tai chi routines on European-style plazas paved in Portuguese tile. Local dishes combine the culinary traditions of Portugal and China, with additional ingredients and recipes from India, Africa, and Brazil. Ultramodern high-rises and 400-year-old colonial buildings line the city streets. Shop names and traffic signs are posted in a bilingual fusion of Cantonese and Portuguese. Unexpected contrasts like these abound in Macau, where Eastern and Western traditions have blended for nearly five centuries. This guidebook is designed to help visitors navigate Macau's maze of narrow streets as well as understand the striking contrasts that make this city such a fascinating place to visit. With its compact size, winding back streets, and pedestrian-only lanes and plazas, Macau is best explored on foot. Though geared to those who wish to experience Macau at a walking pace, this guidebook will serve any visitor interested in the history and culture of one of Asia's most unique cities.