Macau
Macau Overview
Chinese Name: English IPA: Location: Population (city): Language: Zip code: Tel code: Time zone:
Macau or Macao, officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, is a special administrative region on the western side of the Pearl River estuary in southern China. With a population of 653,100 and an area of 32.9 square kilometers(12.7 sq mi), it is the most densely populated region in the world. Macau was formerly a colony of the Portuguese Empire, after Ming China leased the territory as a trading post in 1557. Portugal governed the area under Chinese authority and sovereignty until 1887, when it was given perpetual occupation rights for Macau. The colony remained under Portuguese control until 1999, when it was returned to China. As a special administrative region, Macau’s system of government is separate from that of mainland China.
Highlights of Macau
- Combination of East and West: Much from both cultures remains from that past. Cobblestone streets, cream-colored churches, and balconied buildings reminiscent of Southern Europe, particularly Portugal, blend harmoniously with brightly colored Chinese temples and sedate gardens dotted with koi ponds, pavilions and moon gates. In 2005 more than two dozen sites in Macau’s Historic Centre were collectively added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Two of the most prominent and most important represent the best of both cultures: the Chinese A-Ma Temple and the Portuguese São Paulo Church.
- Paradise for Food Lovers-Amazing Cuisine: Chinese cuisine in Macau is represented in Cantonese style with regional specialties. Since the Cantonese are the most predominant cultural group in Macau, Cantonese cuisine forms the backbone of home cooking and dine-out scenes. What’s more, Macau has developed its own cuisine, Macanese. When the Portuguese arrived they brought foodstuffs and cooking ideas from their settlements in Africa and India as well as from home. These were combined and adapted by local Chinese to create a truly fusion cuisine. Macanese cuisine is a combination of Portuguese and Cantonese cuisines flavored with spices like turmeric, chilli peppers and cinnamon, coconut milk and piri-piri sauce, giving special aromas and tastes.
- Las Vegas in Asian: Gambling in Macau has been legal since the 1850s when the Portuguese government legalized the activity in the autonomous colony. Since then, Macau has become known worldwide as the “Gambling capital of the world” or “Monte Carlo of the East”. Gambling tourism is Macau’s biggest source of revenue, making up about 50% of the economy. Visitors are made up largely of Chinese nationals from mainland China and Hong Kong. With the entry of large foreign casinos from Las Vegas and Australia, Macau overtook the Las Vegas Strip in gambling revenues in 2007. Until Western-style casino games were introduced in the 20th century, only Chinese games were played, the most popular being Fan-Tan. Generally, gambling in Macau can be divided into one of four categories: casino games, greyhound racing, sports betting, and lotteries.
- Heaven for Photographers and Shopping Lovers: Due to the multi-cultural influence in Macau, photographers will appreciate the diverse points and subjects for photography. From the ruins, food, and even simple shots of streets and people, it is very easy for photographers to create a unique photo essay. Macau can serve as the perfect training base for travel photographers, or a playground for those who just love taking good pictures because there are so many things that can be captured here. Macau has a lot of shopping destinations for the true shopaholic. Its offerings range from great bargains to the most luxurious brands.
Other Destinations in Macau
- Cotai
- São Francisco Xavier
- Nossa Senhora do Carmo
- Freguesia da Sé
- São Lourenço
- Freguesia de São Lázaro
- Freguesia de Santo António
- Freguesia de Nossa Senhora de Fátima
Macau Attractions
Macau Attractions include a list of top things to do and must-see attractions in Macau. All attractions picked by our seasoned travel advisors and rated by our customers. Following is the list of Top Attractions in Macau by TripAdvisor. Top Attractions in Macau When come to Macau, confused what to see, do and experience in Macau? Known as the 'Vegas of China', Macau is indeed an epicentre of gambling and glitz. While luxury entertainment here is world-class, the city has much more [...]
Macau Tours
Macau travel packages list all of Macau Day Tours, Top Hong Kong Macau Tours, Popular Hong Kong Shenzhen Macau Tours, Best Guangzhou Hong Kong Macau Tours, Macau Theme Tours and China tours including Macau. Plan Macau tours including Macau food culture tours, join group tours and sightseeing tours. Macau is a unique destination well worth your visit, located on the South coast of China and approximately 60 kilometers from neighbouring Hong Kong. Known as “Asia’s Gambling Capital”, Macau is truly one of [...]
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Climate & When to Go
Macau Weather and Climate describes information with temperature, precipitation, Geography, What Clothes to Wear in Macau, weather and climate by month, climate graph, 15 days Macau weather forecast. Find out the best time to visit Macau and see the season highlights in Macau. It also tells you what to wear in different seasons and Clothes packing for your Trip to Macau. Macau Climate & Weather Macau exhibits a humid subtropical type of climate with hot and humid summers and cold and dry winters. [...]
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Transportation
Macau Transportation Guide serves you detailed transport information and introduces fights to Macau, Macau high speed trains, Macau trains, Macau cycling, Macau buses, Macau Bus Stations and Railway Stations, Macau taxis and ways of getting in and around Macau. Known famously as the 'Vegas of China,' Macau is a Special Administrative Region(SAR) of the People's Republic of China located just an hour’s ferry ride from Hong Kong. Macau is fascinatingly vibrant and energetic. Although there are similarities, Macau offers a completely [...]
Festivals and Activities
Macau Festivals and Events introduce a brief introduction of festivals and activities and tell travelers Top Things to Do for Macau Festivals Tours and important Macau events and activities including Exhibitions, Important Events, Famous Performances. Festivals in Macau Macao’s line-up of festivals, shows, marathons and major events is a testament to the city’s lively culture. The Macao calendar is full of both traditional and western celebrations in a variety of specialities from arts and film, to food and sporting events, each year. [...]
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Travel Tips
Macau Travel FAQs and Tips introduce the useful numbers, best time to visit Macau, What to Wear, Banks, Expresses and post offices, hospitals, Macau visa, what currency used, languages in Macau, etc. When plan your trip to Macau, view our answers to questions about Macau travel to get better understanding of Macau. Useful Numbers in Macau Macau International Airport +853 2886 1111 Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal +853 2872 8079 Macau Ferry Terminal and Heliport +852 2307 0880 Macau Kiang Wu Hospital +853 2837 1333 Macau calling for help +853 999 Macau local telephone inquiries 181 (English and Portuguese), 185 (Portuguese-speaking) TurboJet +853 2855 5025 CotaiJet +853 2855 0595 More about Macau Useful Numbers Best Time to Visit Macau The spring and summer season [...]
Useful Maps
Macau Travel Maps in English includes Maps List of Macau Tourist Attractions, Maps of Macau Hotels, Maps of Macau Tours, Macau Subway Maps, Maps of Transportation. It show the specific location maps of main roads, Transportation, railway, stations, Bus Stations, Airports, expressway, administrative division, famous tourist attractions, travel and tours, universities, banks and hospitals. [...]
Macau Accommodation
Macau Accommodation and Hotels Booking introduces where to stay in Macau and the recommended Macau 5-star luxury hotels, Comfortable 4-star, Economic 3-star and Cheap Hostels recommended by TripAdvisor. Known as the 'Vegas of China', Macau is indeed an epicenter of gambling and glitz. While luxury entertainment here is world-class, the city has much more to offer than that. Where to Stay in Macau If you don't have the consideration of rigid budget, it is recommended to stay in the center part of [...]
