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Macau


Located on the South Eastern coast of China, Macau, or the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR), forms a part of China. It is just 37 miles from Hong Kong and 90 miles from the city of Guangzhou, and comprises the Macau Peninsula, which connects the region to mainland China, and the islands of Taipa and Coloane, as well as an area of reclaimed land called COTAI. In the past, Macau has been more frequently explored as a side-trip or even day trip from Hong Kong, but there is plenty here to keep the visitor entertained for longer. The historic centre of Macau, home to the oldest examples of Western architecture in China as well as more traditional Chinese buildings, is now on the World Heritage List and boasts a large number of architectural and cultural gems, including temples, churches, city walls, ruins, barracks and museums. Once you have explored cultural Macau, take a break and relax on one of the beaches on the outlying islands, or take a stroll through some of the beautiful gardens dotted around Macau. 


Cities and places within Macau
Fast Facts
Capital: Macau
Population: 513,427
Area: 10.9 sq miles
Geography: 37 miles south west of Hong Kong and 90 miles from Guangzhou, Macau is part peninsula, and part island. Much of Macau is formed of reclaimed land, meaning that it is generally flat, though there are numerous steep hills in what was the original landmass. Macau is predominantly urban, with no cultivated land or woodland.
Climate: The climate in Macau is humid and subtropical, with monsoons affecting the weather year-round. The average temperature is around 22 degrees Celsius, peaking at around 30 degrees in July and falling to around 14 degrees in January. Winters are generally dry, though annual rainfall is around 2000mm. Humidity ranges from 75% to 90%^ throughout the year. The most comfortable time to travel to Macau is in the Autumn (October – December) when it is warm and humidity is relatively low, whereas winters are cold, springs humid, and summers hot, humid and prone to typhoons.
Language: Cantonese and Portuguese are the official languages            although English is also widely spoken.
Currency: Macanese Pataca (which is pegged against the Hong Kong Dollar), and Hong Kong Dollars are also accepted. Current rate £1 = MOP$15.87
Time: GMT+8 hours
Visa Requirements: : British visitors to Macau do not need a visa.


Getting to Macau
By Air
Macau has its own airline, Air Macau, which operates regional flights. International passengers usually arrive via Hong Kong, which takes around 12 hours from London. There are high speed ferries which link Hong Kong’s Chep Lak Kok Airport with Macau, or alternatively there are regular helicopter services operating between Hong Kong and Macau (16 minutes) and from Shenzen to Macau. See Hong Kong section for details of international flights.
 
By Boat
As above, there are high speed ferries linking Macau with Hong Kong and Shenzen in China.
 
By Road
The Barrier Gate is the main crossing point from Macau into China, and this is open between 7.30am and midnight each day. 


Getting Around Macau
By Boat
Chinese Junks ply the waters of the inner and outer harbours, and 30 minute tours are available daily from Pier 1.
 
By Road
There are a couple of bus companies operating services around Macau and to the islands. There are also plentiful taxis, rickshaws and cycle rickshaws – you should agree the price before you start your journey, and if you are planning to visit some of Macau’s attractions that are at the top of steep hills, avoid the cycle rickshaws as even the best driver won’t get you up the hills!
 


Top Ten Things to Do and See in Macau
HERITAGE
Macau proudly displays its mix of Chinese and Portuguese origins, and this is apparent in much of its architecture. There are numerous churches, plazas, temples and forts around Macau, that provide an insight into the region’s history and origins. The most famous sight is probably the ruins of the Church of Saint Paul, built in 1602 and rebuilt in 1835 after a typhoon destroyed much of the original structure. The façade features some detailed carvings by Japanese monks. The Macau Museum is an excellent introduction to the history of Macau and its people, right from the origins of the country through to the present day.
 
CHURCHES AND TEMPLES
Macau boasts a staggering number of churches, of which one of the most beautiful is Sao Domingo’s Church, built in the 17th Century but refurbished around five years ago. The church also houses the Museum of Sacred Art, which is a collection of 300 or so works of sacred art charging the history of the Catholic Church in Asia. There are also numerous temples dotted around Macau, perhaps the most impressive of which is the complex of temples called Kun Iam Tong, dating back to the Ming Dynasty around 400 years ago. The temples house a number of works of art, including a stature of Marco Polo. Pou Tia Un Temple in Taipa is also worth a vieist as it is one of the most picturesque of Macau’s temples.
 
TAIPA
Taipa is a colourful destination, brimming with interesting shops amid the narrow streets and alleys, colonial architecture, and a wealth of traditional arts and crafts. There is a weekly fair in the Village Centre, where there are 125 stalls selling traditional crafts and souvenirs, as well as food and drinks, clothes and toys. There are also cultural events from 4pm til 5pm.
 
COLOANE ISLAND
Well worth a day trip is Coloane Island, which features natural trails in the Seac Pai Van Park, as well as a walk in aviary, beaches, and the Macau Golf and Country Club, one the southern side of the island, reputed to be one of the most stunning golf courses in Asia, with views over the Pearl River and the black sands of Hac Sa Beach. It is also worth climbing up to the A-Ma Statue, which stands on the highest point of the island, as the views of the surrounding area are amazing.
           
GAMBLING
Macau has long been a popular destination for those wanting to try their hand on the gambling tables, and there are more than 20 casinos to choose from, all of which are operated under a government franchise, making gambling Macau’s largest industry. Both western and more traditional oriental games are played – and the casinos are open 24 hours a day!  Try your luck at the famous Casino Lisboa, though a walk down Avenida de Amizade will mean you will be able to visit several!
 
RACING
Gambling isn’t restricted to the casinos of Macau, as there is a thriving racing industry in Macau too, both horse and greyhounds! The Macau Jockey Club has modern facilities and organises flat horse racing on the island of Taipa. The Canidrome is the only greyhound racing stadium in Asia, and racing takes place every Monday, Thursday and weekend evening from 8pm. For racing of a different kind, the Macau Grand Prix, the Far East’s gala motorcycle and Formula III car racing event, takes place each November.
 
 
FESTIVALS
As with other Asian destinations, Macau boasts some spectacular festivals. One of the best is the Dragon Boat Festival, held each June, and the International Fireworks Display Contest, in which nearly 100 nations compete – this takes place in September/October.
 
SHOPPING
Like most Asian centres, shopping is key to Macau’s city life. Senate Square, at the centre of the city, and the roads and alleys leading off it are crammed with shops selling all manner of merchandise including designer clothes and accessories. St Dominic’s Market is also a great place for a bargain. Running between Senate Square and the Leal Senado are numerous gold shops, and the area between the Ruinas de Sao Paulo and the inner harbour is the furniture district, where both Chinese antiques and reproductions are sold.
 
CITY VIEWS
The Macau Tower, at 338m tall the 10th highest freestanding tower in the world, affords some great panoramic views over the city. Located on the waterfront on the Nam Van Lakes, the tower itself is an entertainment and convention centre, which has theatres, restaurants, shopping malls, an observation deck, and for the adventurous, the exciting Skywalk X, a walking tour around the rim of the tower, a staggering 233m above the ground! Back at ground level, there are plenty of other landmarks that any visitor to Macau should include in their stay – the Gate of Understanding, a 40m high structure which stands over the Praia Grande Bay, is a symbolic structure which represents the friendly relationship and goodwill between Portugal and China. And everywhere in Macau are beautiful colonial style Portuguese buildings, the most attractive example of which is the Largo de Senado Square, a pedestrianised plaza at the heart of the city.
 
EATING OUT
Macau’s history has made its mark on the cuisine, and the Portuguese influences are still very strong in the local specialities on offer in Macau, and this combination of Portuguese, Indian, Chinese and Malay cuisines makes Macanese food unique in the world.   African and Indian cooking in turn had an influence on Portuguese food and as a result, Macau’s most popular dishes include African and Goan chicken and prawn dishes, cooked with chillies and peppers. Other specialities include Tacho (a Chinese meat and vegetable stew), Galinha Portuguesa (oven cooked chicken with potatoes, onions, egg and saffron), and the most popular dessert is Jagra de ovos (sweet egg tart)



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