Macao's 'melting pot'
As a city being greatly influenced by exotic traditions, Macao is another place deserving a visit during the Ghost Festival.
Local residents usually choose one day during the festival to worship their ancestors and offer sacrifices to spirits they believe will come out from the lower realm. Therefore, on the evening of the festival, the whole city is immersed in a thin fog of burning joss sticks and may give spooky feelings to tourists.
Adding to the Eastern mystery of such a festival, a religious ritual of Jesus Christ introduced from southern Europe is held annually at this time, making the city a "melting pot" of unique style.
It would be a pity if you visit Macao and don't taste the local food. Residents in the city have brought Portuguese tastes into the local diet, which means adding hot peppers, curry, spices, as well as shrimp sauce into seafood, making it different from dishes on the Chinese mainland. Apart from the Portuguese-style dishes, you definitely can't say no to local snacks and cakes including Sweetheart Pastries, almond cakes, and the renowned baked pork cakes, which are all made by time-honored manufacturers.
