While much has been made of the flashy hotel-casino complexes that have been built in Macau in recent years, it should also be remembered that this is a place with great history.

The region is made up of the Macau peninsula, which adjoins the Chinese mainland, as well as Taipa and Coloane islands. With its relatively small size, Macau is a great place for sightseeing and walking around, taking in such attractions as the ruins of St Paul's, the Mount Fortress, A-Ma Temple, St Dominic's Church, the Kun Lam Statue and many others.

                  

All of these attractions tell the story of old Macau and its history, which dates back to ancient times when it was important part of the Silk Road with ships loading here with silk for Rome.

The ruins of St Paul's are generally acknowledged as Macau's most identifiable symbol - the stone facade is the only remaining part of the grand cathedral which was destroyed by fire in 1835. The facade features beautiful carvings and upon closer inspection, a person might be astonished by the sharp contrast portraying miracle and misfortune.

In Macau today, many things have remained unchanged since 1999. Most people still lead a relaxing life - they chat away in Cantonese in the narrow lanes and buy food in the neighborhood grocer. They love to decorate their balconies with colorful flowers.

But many things are also changing. With a booming tourism industry, various investors, especially in the catering and hotel sectors, are betting heavily on Macau.

As the only place in China where casino gambling is legal, Macau currently looks like a grand construction site. Many facilities are being built to accommodate the waves of gamblers from around the world in new hotels, stores and related infrastructure, among others. With a limited amount of land reclamation is under way.

This past September, the luxurious Wynn Macau hotel opened in the reclamation area, just opposite the famed Hotel Lisboa, at one time the best accommodation in the city.

Compared to the elegant old style of the Lisboa, a hotel where parts of the James Bond movie "The Man with the Golden Gun" was filmed, the Wynn Macau is a 21st-century accommodation. The hotel features 600 rooms and suites, seven restaurants, a large retail space selling top fashion brands, and of course, a casino.

In front of the Wynn Macau's gate, there is a fountain which is a must-see. Every 15 minutes between noon and midnight, the fountain comes to life with a dazzling display of dancing waters. It is especially attractive at night with the colorful lights against the dark night backdrop.

Other hotels, each with their own unique attractions, will also open this year, targeting the many tourists coming into Macau to experience its many attractions, unique heritage and excellent food - the spicy African chicken, a Macanese specialty, is highly recommended.

With so many old spots and the new things to see, Macau, undoubtedly, is certain to charm all those who visit.

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