Macau Travel Guide

Full Name

Macau Special Administrative Region

Former Name

None

Capital City

N/A

Government Type

limited democracy

Area Size

total: 28.2 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +8 hours

Climate

Macau has a humid subtropical climate. Seasonal climate is greatly influenced by the monsoons and therefore temperature difference between summer and winter is fairly noticeable. The average annual temperature of Macau is 22.3 °C. July is the hottest month, with average monthly temperature being 28.6 °C. The coldest month is January, with average monthly temperature 14.5 °C . Located in the coastal region of south the People's Republic of China, Macau has ample rainfall, with average annual precipitation being 2,030 millimetres. However, winter is mostly dry due to the monsoon from mainland China.

Geography

Macau is 60 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong and 145 kilometres from Guangzhou. It consists of a peninsula, and the islands of Taipa and Coloane. The peninsula is formed by the Zhujiang (Pearl River) estuary on the east and the Xijiang (West River) on the west. It borders the Zhuhai Special Economic Zone in mainland China. Macau has a generally flat terrain resulting from extensive land reclamation, but numerous steep hills mark the original natural land mass. The Macau peninsula was originally an island, but gradually a connecting sandbar turned into a narrow isthmus. Land reclamation in the seventeenth century made Macau into a peninsula.

Languages

Cantonese 87.9%, Hokkien 4.4%, Mandarin 1.6%, other Chinese dialects 3.1%, other 3% (2001 census)

Culture

Whether you look at Macau’s architecture, its food, or its music, Macau culture is all about fusion. Old and new stand together, east and western influences mixed. The mixing of Chinese and Portuguese cultures and religious traditions for more than four centuries has left Macau with a very inimitable collection of holidays, festivals and events. With significant influences from Southeast Asia and the Lusophone world, local cooking in Macau consists of a blend of southern Chinese and Portuguese cuisines. Many unique dishes resulted from the spice blends that the wives of Portuguese sailors used in an attempt to replicate European dishes.

History

Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 20 December 1999. China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be practiced in Macau, and that Macau will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.

Travel Information

The territory has its own airline, Air Macau (NX), which operates regional flights. Macau International Airport (MFM) is 7km southeast of the city. Buses run to the city and Macau-Hong Kong ferry terminal via major hotels (journey time - 45 minutes). Taxis to the city centre are also available (journey time - 15 minutes); each piece of luggage carried is paid for separately. Airport facilities are Banks and bureaux de change, car hire, duty-free shops and restaurants. High-speed ferries connect Macau with Hong Kong International Airport. Heli Express operates regular flights between Hong Kong and Macau (journey time - 16 minutes). Helicopters depart from the Macau Maritime Terminal, situated in the Outer Harbour. Services also operate to Shenzhen, on the mainland. Main port: Macau. High-speed ferries between Macau and Hong Kong are operated by TurboJET and New World First Ferry Services, with regular sailings each way throughout the day (journey time - 55 to 60 minutes). Both companies also run ferries to Shenzhen, China (journey time - 1 hour). The crossing point into China is via the Barrier Gate (Portas de Cerco) (open 0730-0000 daily) or the COTAI Frontier post (open 0900-2000 daily). Buses run frequently to and from this point from 0800-1830 (journey time - 2 hours 30 minutes). The Kee Kwan Motor Road Company runs a service between Macau and Guangzhou.

Accommodation

Macau's hotel stock ranges from older colonial properties, inns and economy-class accommodation up to luxury havens from global chains. Most hotels are air conditioned. Weekend rates are generally 20% higher than weekdays. Rates are subject to a 10% service charge, plus a 5% government tax. At weekends, visitor accommodation is usually full, so an advance reservation is advised.

Visa Requirements

Passport valid for at least one month required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. Visas are not required by nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA for the following durations: -nationals of all EU countries (UK nationals for stays of up to six months) for stays of up to 90 days; -nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 30 days. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements

Getting Around

There are several daily harbour tours in Chinese junks between the inner and outer harbours (journey time - 30 minutes). Tours depart from Pier 1. Traffic drives on the left. There are two bridges: one to Taipa Island, and a bridge carrying a four-lane highway from the international airport to the Macau-China border at Zhuhai. Bus services operate frequently around Macau and to the islands. The main operators are TCM (Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos de Macau) and Transmac. Taxis are either black with a cream-coloured top, or all-yellow. They generally have a destination guide written in Chinese, English and Portuguese. Rickshaws and pedicabs (cycle rickshaws): Available for hire. Prices should be agreed in advance - but many of Macau's attractions are located on hilltops, beyond the reach of even the strongest-legged pedicab driver. Bikes can be hired on Taipa Island but cannot be taken to the mainland. Available through several agencies. Drivers must be over 21. Chauffeur-driven limousines are also available.

Health & Safety

Travellers should take special precautions for Rabies, Tetanus ans Typhoid. Tap water is generally regarded as safe, but bottled water may be advisable for the first few days. Milk is pasteurised, but avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Japanese encephalitis may occur between April and October. Immunisation against hepatitis A + B, diphtheria and tuberculosis is sometimes recommended. There is some incidence of dengue fever. Health insurance is recommended. There are good medical facilities. Macau is a fairly safe city by day and night as long as you keep in mind general precautions such as keeping your belongings close and leaving large amounts of cash in your hotel safe. Beggars seem few, however, should you venture outside the casinos, you will most likely encounter a fair number of hawkers trying to sell you stuff or to "give" you special deals.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 18-20 - Feb Chinese New Year. 5 Apr - Ching Ming Festival. 6 Apr - Good Friday. 9 Apr - Easter Monday. 1 May - Labour Day. 24 May - Feast of Buddha (Feast of the bathing of Lord Buddha). 19 Jun - Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng). 26 Sep - Mid-Autumn Festival. 1-2 Oct - National Day of the People's Republic of China. 30 Oct - Chung Yeung Festival. 2 Nov - All Souls' Day. 8 Dec - Feast of the Immaculate Conception. 20 Dec - Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day. 22 Dec - Winter Solstice. 24-25 Dec - Christmas.

Currency

Macau Pataca (MOP)

Electricity

220v AC

Working Hours

Office hours: Mon-Fri 9.00am-1.00am and 3.00pm-5.30pm and Sat 9.00am-12.30pm.

Emergency Numbers

999