Macau

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Quick Facts

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Local name

Àomén 澳門

Government

Limited democracy

Nationality

Macanese, Chinese

Population

543 000^[1]

Languages

Portuguese, Chinese (Cantonese)

Religions

Buddhism, Christianity (Catholic)

Currency

Macanese Pataca (MOP)

Calling Code

+853

Time Zone

UTC+8

Coordinates

• Latitude: 22.201874
• Longitude: 113.544202

Contributors

• Utrecht (52%)
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• Hien (34%)
  from World Adrenaline

as well as Peter (14%)

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Introduction

Lou Lim Ieoc Garden, Macau

© All Rights Reserved mingtravel

With less than 100 km (60 mi) separating it from Hong Kong, Macau has been overshadowed by its popular neighbour. But Macau can't complain: a thriving gambling industry has brought the city great wealth. Nor can visitors complain, as Macau is one of China's most interesting cities. Macau is a limited democracy whose foreign and defence affairs are the business of China. What makes Macau really fascinating, though, is its starkly Mediterranean look. The Portuguese turned it into a significant port in the middle of the 16th century; over the centuries, it turned into a home for the Portuguese elite and, as a result, distinctly Portuguese architecture began to spring up. Christianity filtered into China through Macau, too. The city is the site of the Basilica de São Paulo, one of the most important monuments of Christianity in China.

Don't come to Macau expecting a traditional Chinese town, or a skyrise metropolis like Hong Kong – Macau is completely unique among Chinese cities.

Brief History

Geography

Neighbourhoods

• Macau Peninsula
• Taipa is an island to the south of the peninsula and the site of the airport.
• Coloane is an island further south.
• Cotai is an area of reclaimed land that connects Taipa and Coloane.

Sights and Activities

Historic Centre of Macau

The Historic Centre of Macau is a World Heritage Site. This place Macau owes to its numerous historic monuments, including the ruins of Saint Paul's Cathedral, a fortress and a lighthouse as well as colonial colourful buildings and historical streets with some cobblestones. But it also was a strategically located port and of importance in the development of international trade. Macau was a Portuguese colony from the mid-16th century until 1999, when it was returned to China.

Gambling

Casino Lisboa, Macau

© All Rights Reserved Utrecht

Macau has become one of the biggest centres of gambling around the world and it is to be expected that within the near future there will be more casinos than in Las Vegas. Most casinos are in the city of Macau itself, between the historic centre and the harbour where most ferries from Hong Kong arrive. The Grand Lisboa probably is the best known but there are many more, all with their own characteristics. One building has an entire golden façade. Many people from China and Hong Kong come here, because officially it is illegal anywhere else.

Southern islands

The main Macau Peninsula (with historical Macau) is connected by three bridges with the island of Taipa. Further south is Coloane. The international airport is on Taipa and this area is developing in a very high speed, with very large new casinos being built as we speak, and some residential areas as well. Further south though at Coloane you can find some older fishing villages, beaches and great hiking and biking. Do not forget to stop once a while and have some fine seafood in one of the restaurants. Coloane is home to a golf course as well.

Other sights and activities

Macau tower

© All Rights Reserved Utrecht

• Macau Museum
• Macau Tower

Events and Festivals

Weather

Macau generally has warm to hot weather with relatively high humidity. The worst months are from May/June to September when the temperatures are above 30 °C during the day and at night it doesn't get any cooler than 25 °C. On top of that, the humidity can be overwhelming and it is rainy season with serious downpours and occasional hurricanes (typhoons) which can strike Macau. January and February are dry but cool with temperatures just under 20 °C on average and nights below 10 °C common. October to December is warmer and sunny and is the best time for a visit.

Getting There

By Plane

Air Macau is the national airline of Macau, with flights from Macau International Airport (MFM) to destinations in China and in the wider East Asian region.

Macau has a low cost airline as well, Viva Macau, which has flights to Tokyo, Busan in South Korea, Jakarta, Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City. AirAsia serves Macau as well, from its Malaysian hub in Kuala Lumpur.

By Car

You can travel by car to/from Macau from two point in mainland China, connecting with Zhuhai. Few travellers get here with their own car or rental car though as travelling China by yourself in a car requires a special Chinese driver's licence and some bureaucratic hassle. Most people have a driver and you can take a taxi to Macau as well.

By Bus

Buses travel regularly to Guangzhou and Shenzhen and also to Dongguan, al of them in the Guangdong Provincie in China. It's about 2 hour to Guangzhou, 3 to the others. To Zhuhai from those places is also possible after which you cross into Macau on foot. Accommodation and food is much cheaper in Zhuhai.

By Boat

Boats connect Macau with Hong Kong. Some boats go to Hong Kong Island while most go to the Kowloon pier. In Macau, they arrive on the Macau Peninsula, just east of the main casino area. The Turbojet and New World First Ferries are the main operators. There are even several daily connections between Macau and Hong Kong International Airport directly with Turbo Jet Sea Express.

Other destinations include the Chinese ports of Shekou and Shenzhen International Airport from the main Macau terminal. There are connections to Wanzai and Zhuhai from the smaller Inner Harbour Terminal in the west of the Macau Peninsula.

Getting Around

By Car

Although several international and local companies offer cars for rent, it is not recommended nor necessary to get around by car, as distances are small and especially in the city itself things can get crowded sometimes. Traffic drives on the left and you need an international driving permit to rent one.

By Public Transport

TCM and Transmac both run buses in Macau and to the southern island of Taipa. Taxis are cheap and if shared with a few persons, make for a fast and economical way of getting around.

By Foot

This is the best way of getting around Macau city itself and one or two days allows you to enjoy most sights by foot.
A good map is essential though and remember that Macau is rather hilly and several sights are located on those hills.
It can be hectic sometimes as well, though many streets have special pedestrian sideways.

By Bike

Bikes can be rented at Taipa island, but are of no use in the city and can not be taken from Taipa island at all. But you won't miss them in Macau city at all.

Red Tape

Visitors from most countries do not need a visa for a limited period of stay in Macau.

• 180 days: United Kingdom.
• 90 days: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Croatia, Czech, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Tanzania.
• 30 days: Australia, Canada, Chile, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, New Zealand, Philippines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United States of America, Uruguay.
• Nationals of China with valid Macau entry/depart documents, including residents of Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas Chinese for a stay of up to 30 days.
• The "Hong Kong Identity Card" (with symbol “*”, “***” or “R”), "Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card" or "Hong Kong Re-entry Permit" holders may stay in Macau for a maximum period of one year.

For a complete and up-to-date list, refer to the Macau Government Tourist Office - Travel Info.

Money

See also: Money Matters

The currency of Macau is the Macanese Pataca (MOP). One pataca is divided into 100 avos, called ho (pronounced hoe) in Cantonese.

• Banknotes: MOP$10, MOP$20, MOP$50, MOP$100, MOP$500, MOP$1000
• Coins: 10 avos, 20 avos, 50 avos, MOP$1, MOP$2, MOP$5

The pataca is pegged with the Hong Kong dollar at the rate of HKD$100 to MOP$103.20.

Work

Study

Language

See also: Portuguese phrasebook

Chinese and Portuguese are the official languages of Macau. Located in this part of China, Cantonese is most widely spoken. English is also used, mainly in trade, tourism and commerce.

Eat

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Drink

Health

See also: Travel Health

Safety

See also: Travel Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

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