The office says visitor arrivals in Macao kept rising in 2023 after customs clearance fully recovered, which proved Macao's attractiveness as a world tourism and leisure destination.

The tourism office also joins hands with major local enterprises to present romantic and colorful, interactive light installations, illuminating the entire city with dazzling and charming shows and turning it into a unique late-night paradise.

At the Mount Fortress garden in the city center, multiple large-scale festival installations and dazzling lighting decorations, including a flashing giant bear and a 7-meter-tall Santa Claus — accompanied by romantic snowfall, colorful light shows and live music performances every night — captured the hearts of visitors and residents alike.

"I found Macao very busy and lively this holiday, with rich festive decorations and food," says one tourist from Zhuhai.

Warm weather also returned to Macao during the holiday after the cold snap of previous days, encouraging more locals to go out and enjoy the sunshine along the city's long coastline.

"I wish for a better year ahead, not just for my family, but also for Macao and our country," says a resident surnamed Qu who was busy barbecuing on Macao's unique black sand beach.