There's more to Macau than just camping overnight in casinos. Let’s discovers yummy eats and the rustic charm of the former Portuguese colony.

Yes, Macau - which has been enjoying licensed gambling for almost 120 years - is a gambling enclave. But outside the casino walls, the former Portuguese colony is a cultural haven too.

In July 2005, the Historic Centre of Macau - an urban area within the old city of Macau - was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The Historic Centre of Macau, which comprises eight squares and 22 historic buildings, is a product of 400 years of cultural exchange between the East and West. The colony was under Portuguese rule from the 1500s until 1999, when it reverted to Chinese sovereignty.

And as part of the Macau Special Administrative Region's 10th year anniversary, the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is rolling out a series of promotional activities, such as the launch of a heritage bus tour, as well as a program of cultural performances at tourist spots.

With such inviting plans - and some 20 museums and numerous eating and shopping places waiting to be explored - it seems every visitor to Macau is a big winner already.

Goddess Gracious

There're some 11 temples in Macau but a visit to this historical A-ma (or Mazu) temple is quintessential. After all, that's how Macau got its name.

Where it began: Apparently, this A-ma temple - built by Fujian and Guangdong fishermen settlers in 1448-was the site of the first Portuguese landing in the 1500s. Called "A-ma Gao", meaning the place of A-ma, the Portuguese subsequently modified the name, and called their colony Macau.

The A-ma temple is distinguished by its beautiful titled roofs and spectacular views from the upper gardens.

The A-ma legend: One of the various legends of A-ma, then a poor girl, describes her boat trip to Canton. While at sea, A-ma survived a storm, and found her way to Macau. A-ma gained fame for courageously saving fishermen in perilous waters. After her death, fishermen settlers in Macau built this temple in her honour.

A-ma Festival: In Macau, the A-ma festival (April or May, depending on the lunar calendar) is one of the biggest cultural events. Tourists are treated to spectacular celebrations featuring firecrackers and lion dances.

Ruins of St. Paul: This facade and grand staircase are what's left of the greatest of Macau's churches. St. Paul's was first built in 1602 but was destroyed in a fire in 1835. After restoration work between 1990 and 1995, the back part of the Ruins of St. Paul's was turned into a museum.

St. Dominic's: The serene cream-colored facade hides a story of murder at High Mass. In 1644, a military officer - who supported the Spanish against the Portuguese - was killed at the altar. The church was renovated in 1997 and opened to the public, along with a museum exhibiting sculptures and liturgical ornaments which illustrate the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Asia.

European influence: The Macau landscape today is still dotted by European architecture, which lends a rustic charm.

One of the best ways to appreciate history and culture is to spend some time at the museum. There're some 20 in Macau so take your pick!

Museu de Macau: This Macau museum is located in MountFortress – the city's main military defence structure that was built by the Jesuits in the early 17th Century.

Market Square: A replica of Market Square - the main bazaar in the 19th Century - located in front of the HongKungTemple.

Canton puppets: The museum houses puppets from Guangzhou, Chaozhou and Fujian province, which were brought over to Macau.

Taipa Houses-Museum: Originally residences of 1920s high ranking civil servants and Macanese families, the Taipa Houses-Museum - typically green with Macanese architectural characteristics - was remodelled in the 90s to house art and painting galleries. A favourite spot for wedding photography.

Street circuit: Every November, Macau is turned into a race circuit. Today, the Formula 3 Grand Prix - held every November - draws thousands of tourists to Macau.

Making his mark: Michael Schumacher's automobile, in which he raced and won the 1990 Macau Grand Prix.

Wine Museum: Located within the same building of the Grand Prix Museum, this 1400 square-metre museum showcases Portuguese wine and grapevines.

Drink up:

Visitors get to taste Portuguese wine, which is characterized by its easy-on-the- palate sweetness.

Close to 1150 wine brands can be found here, with the Porto 1815 being the oldest wine in the museum.

You aren’t been to Macau until you've tried Portuguese egg tarts - and numerous yummy snacks!

Tart hunt

You'll find egg tarts everywhere in Macau but true-blue foodies hunt for theirs only in two places. Macau's most famous Portuguese egg tarts on ColoaneIsland, (started by the late Lord Andrew Stow), and Margaret's Cafe on The New Road, (owned by Lord Stow's ex wife).

An egg tart is born: English pharmacist, Lord Andrew Stow came to Macau in the 1970s. He started experimenting with Portuguese egg tart-making before coming up with the current winning recipe.

Lord Stow's Bakery: The most famous egg tarts in Macau are baked from the kitchens of Lord Stow's Bakery.

The late Lord Stows bakery sells up to 3000 tarts daily.

Margaret's Cafe:

After a bitter divorce, Margaret set up this cafe, to rival her ex-husband's

Portuguese egg tarts.

Same same, but different: The recipes might be different, but both Margaret and Lord Stow's egg tarts share one similarity: They're tasty. While Lord Stow's egg tarts are creamier, Margaret's are flavoured with more butter.

This is your one-stop food souvenir alley. Though there're less than 20 shops here, Food Street is home to some of the most famous signature titbits including Almond and Wife Cookies.

Not boar-ing:

How about some wild boar bak kwa? Though it's sweet and tastes vaguely like venison, it's twice as hard as pork bak kwa. Not for those with weak teeth.

For the sweet tooth-ed: If you're not the aunty sort of shopper (wah, so cheap! Must buy!), pop into one of the cafes where you can relax over desserts, pastries or a cuppa.

Senado Square features various eateries and street delicacies. What you must try when in Macau.

Stick to good health: Yong Tau Fu (an assortment of bean curd, meat and vegetables) sticks are a popular Macanese street food choice. Order what you want, have your sticks boiled in minutes and munch away.

Snack for free: Snack shop owners are generous - they display freshly baked goodies (such as these almond cookies), and offer them to curious tourists. You can eat without buying. Okay, you did not just hear that from me.

Stewed noodles with dried shrimp: This eatery (Xiang Ji Mian Shi Zhuan jia, near The New Road) is famous for its shrimp noodles; dried shrimps generously sprinkled on springy noodles make every mouthful a delight.

Deep fried fish balls: Beneath the crusty armor are chewy fish balls, made even tastier with fermented clam sauce (think chin cha lok, or fermented shrimp sauce).

Milky goodness: This shop (Yi Shun Xian Nai, right beside the fountain in Senado Square) puts the cow in Macau. It serves up a variety of milk-curds including almond, chocolate and ginger flavours. But order the plain milk-curd (warm) if you're on a tight stomach-storage budget.

What:

Macau is made up of the MacauPeninsula, Taipa and Coloane islands, and the reclaimed area called COTAI,

Its total area is about the size of Sentosa, which is great because everywhere is within walking distance from your hotel.

Where:

Macau lies on the western side of the Pearl River Delta, and is about 60km from Hong Kong and 145km from the city of Guangzhou. As such, optimize your travel deal to nearby cities.

Currency:

Hong Kong dollars or Macau patacas.

Climate:

Jan-Feb: Winter

(temperatures can drop below 10°C)

Mar-April: Spring

(characterized by wet weather, fog and drizzle)

May-Sept: Summer

(expect thunderstorm and the occasional waterspout)

Oct-Dec. Autumn (fine cool weather)

One-stop website:

Log on to www.macautourism.gov.mo for more details.