Macao, a Special Administrative Region of China, is among the most densely populated areas in the world and a thriving metropolis marked by a dynamic blend of contrasting urban typologies. The city’s complexity, resulting from rapid growth and high-density construction, cannot be simply characterized as that of the “Las Vegas of the East” – as Macao is often called. Macao has long served as a significant hub for cultural exchange between East and West. The city’s historic center has been largely preserved and has undergone rapid development: a series of newly built, large-scale leisure and entertainment complexes define the city’s iconic casino district, while urban planning and architecture in various new areas reflect ambition and confidence in contemporary urban development. In this publication, architects Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu investigate the coexisting, parallel worlds of Macao – visually documented here by Iwan Baan’s remarkable photography.