(CNN) -- It's been six years -- 2007, if you're into counting numbers -- since the once sleepy fishing port of Macau surpassed Las Vegas as the world leader in gambling revenue. We love the flash. And the occasional winning night at the tables. But there's a slower side to this city of just less than 600,000 residents, one of cobblestone lanes, colonial mansions, art deco buildings and tranquil parks, all done in a fusion of Chinese and Portuguese motifs. The best part is that Macau (just an hour from Hong Kong by ferry) is compact, making it a breeze to explore.
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It's the gambling capital of the world, but there are plenty of ways to spend your winnings or forget about your losings
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Macanese cuisine combines Chinese and Portuguese styles
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Macau is the world's most densely populated place
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Residents have one of the world's highest life expectancy rates
The @placeholder settled in Macau in the 16th century and the island was handed back to China in 1999.