Macao's imminent return to the motherland is attracting flocks of tourists to return-related venues in this small city, which is well-known for its entertainment and gambling industry.

The new tourist attractions include the Macao Forum, the venue for the handover ceremony, where an inaugural ceremony of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) will also be held at the midnight of December 20; Macao Cultural Center, where an evening gala is to be staged to celebrate Macao's homecoming; and laces where presents from the Chinese Central Government and other regions are to be exhibited.

Together with Macao's landmark attractions including the St. Paul's and A-Ma Temple, the new tourist spots are most favored picture-taking backdrops of the visitors.

Local tourist agencies included these spots into their package tours as early as half a year ago, which have attracted increasing number of tourists with the return of Macao drawing near.

"Macao's return to the embrace of the motherland has become my pet phrase now," a tourist guide surnamed Qing told Xinhua.

China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macao at midnight on Dec. 20, bringing an end to the 155-year Portuguese rule here. (Xinhua)