Macau travel guide

Macau is a tiny island in southeast China located an hours boat ride from Hong Kong. It is a Special Administrative Region governed under the one country, two systems policy of the Peoples Republic of China. The Portuguese colony is a unique fusion of East and West, with its cobbled streets, baroque architecture and traditional food and wine. The historic centre of Macau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, yet this modern Chinese metropolis is now a self-styled Vegas of the East, with its mega casinos and hotels helping to propel its tourism and economy.

When to go?
Macaus subtropical climate has cool dry winters and hot wet summers. Temperatures drop as low as 10C during winter (Jan-Feb) and rise to 35C during summer (Jul-Aug). Visitors getting to Macau during the summer months of July and September should be aware that there is a risk of typhoons. The best time to visit Macau is from October to December, when the weather is cool and less humid.

Getting there
By air
Air Macau is the national carrier that gets into Macau International Airport. Regional airlines getting to Macau fly from cities like Seoul, Bangkok, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. Sky Shuttle also run frequent 16-minute helicopter rides between Macau and Hong Kong but are expensive.

By ferry
Getting to Macau by ferry is possible from Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Popular routes from Shekou (80 minutes) and Wanzai (30 minutes) arrive at Macau Ferry Terminal. Ferries and high speed catamarans from Hong Kong (1 hour) operate almost 24 hours.

By bus
Macau is easily accessible by land from mainland China. There are buses from Guangzhou (4 hours), Dongguan (3 hours) and Zhongshan (70 minutes) getting to Macau.

Getting around
By foot
The historic centre in Macau Peninsula is small, compact and made for exploring by foot. Most sights can be viewed in a day, especially around the Border Gate, Senado Square and the many narrow alleyways and patios full of traditional shops and restaurants.

By bus
Taking the bus is the most popular form of public transport in Macau. The system is efficient and well-established, with routes connecting Macau Peninsula and the islands of Taipa, Cotai and Coloane. Transmac and Transportas Companhia de Macau are the two public bus companies

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with fares starting from as little as MOP$2.50. Coins are dropped into a box and no change is given.

By trishaw
Three-wheeled pedicabs, known as trishaws, are usually lined up outside main sightseeing attractions like Hotel Lisboa and the ferry terminal. The yellow vehicles can be hired by the hour for a slow and scenic ride around town.

By taxi
Taxis are a good and affordable form of transport in Macau. The black and yellow cars can be flagged down from pretty much anywhere in the city. Visitors are advised to have their destination written in Chinese, as most taxi drivers speak only Cantonese. There are surcharges for airport trips, journeys to Taipa and Coloane islands and for luggage placed in the boot.

By car
Car rental agencies have branches at the Macau International Airport and in town. Daily rates start from about MOP$600. However, driving is not a popular option given the small size and high population density of Macau.

Sightseeing
Ruins of St. Paul
At the top of every visitors list of things to do in Macau is seeing the Ruins of St. Paul, the islands number one tourist spot. Standing adjacent to Mount Fortress and Macau Museum, the front faade and grand stone stairs are the only remains after a fire in 1835 burned down what was the biggest Catholic Church in East Asia at the time. Admire the surviving faade which is a perfect fusion of Western and Eastern with its decorations of the Virgin Mary and Chinese dragons.

Senado Square
Head on to Senado Square, where limestone mosaic pieces hand-laid on the ground create a wave of attractive patterns. The square has been Macaus urban centre for centuries, and is still a popular venue for public events and celebrations today. The neoclassical buildings that surround the square are of high architectural interest, notably the Post Office Building.

Guia Fortress
A hike up to Guia Fortress on Guia Hill is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Macau, as it is the highest point on the peninsula and has panoramic views of the island. The historic military fort has a chapel and a lighthouse, the latter which is the oldest in China and a UNESCO Heritage Site. At the base of Guia Hill is the European-style Flora Garden, where a pedestrian avenue lined with tall palms and flowering shrubs leads to an aviary, a small zoo and a tree-shaded patio.

A-Ma Temple
The A-Ma Temple on Barra Hill is the oldest and most important temple in the city, said to have th existed even before Macau was founded. Built during the Ming Dynasty in the 15 century by grateful fishermen who endured a storm at sea, it is dedicated to the sea goddess Matsu. Considered one of the most important things to do in Macau, the best time to visit is during the temple festival in April when throngs of devotees come to worship Matsu.

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St. Lawrences Church

St. Lawrence's Church located on Rua de S. Loureno is one of Macaus oldest and most beautiful churches. Originally built of wood by the Jesuits before 1560, the creamy yellow building is accessible through a stone staircase and ornamental gate. Inside, the beautiful wooden ceiling in turquoise, white and gold is richly decorated with Chinese tiles, intricate woodwork and hanging chandeliers.

Macau Museum
Another one of the most enjoyable things to do in Macau is visiting the Macau Museum. Located th on Monte Fort opposite the ruins of St Paul, the beautiful white museum is housed inside a 17 century fortress. Miniature recreations depict scenes from Macaus history, from the arrival of Portuguese traders and Jesuit missionaries to the day-to-day life of ordinary citizens. The threestorey museum leads to a wall rampart on the top floor, complete with canons and a great view of the city.

Where to eat
Litoral
Litoral is a beautiful two-storey restaurant on Rua do Almirante Srgio which attracts both locals and tourists alike with its authentic Portuguese and Macanese food. Their specialties include pato de cabidela (bloody duck), bacalhau (salted cod), caldo verde (potato and chorizo soup) and minchi, Macaus national dish of minced beef cooked with potatoes, onions, soy sauce and an egg. Try the baked duck rice, homemade crab soup and shrimp soup served in a bread bowl.

A Lorcha
A Lorcha located on Rua do Almirante Srgio right by the A-Ma Temple is a Macanese restaurant which serves up authentic dishes like pork-ear salad and deep-fried bacalhau cakes. A night out in a Macau restaurant is not complete without Portuguese wine, which is widely available in restaurants and bars. A crisp glass of vinho verde (young white) as well as the locally-brewed Macau Beer goes very well with Macanese food.

Restaurante Escada
Restaurante Escada off Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro is a charming little Macau restaurant serving bacalhau, seafood stew and a range of grilled meats. Try the flaming Portuguese sausage and Galinha Africana, a roasted chicken covered in piri piri (African bird's eye chili) sauce.

Fernandos
Further out in Taipa Island is one of the most famous restaurants in Macau. Fernandos is popular for its seafood, traditional Macanese fried rice and roast suckling pig served with salad and thick homemade fries. The restaurant on the black sand beach of Hac Sa has a devoted clientele, so a long wait is to be expected.

Shopping
Senado Square
The area around Senado Square is another popular Macau shopping district, especially along Avenida Almeida Ribeiro and the many narrow streets leading off the main square. Visitors will find a wealth of inexpensive Macanese-made clothes, accessories and vintage wear.

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Avenida de Horta e Costa

One of Macaus most popular shopping streets, the Avenida de Horta e Costa has everything from up-market boutiques to local shops. The street begins at the Red Market on Avenida Almirante Lacerda, which is a bustling market popular with the locals who come to buy fresh fruits, dried goods as well as clothes.

Three Lamps District

Head to Rotunda de Carlos da Maia in the historic Three Lamps District, another popular place to find good shopping in Macau. The area has many little shops selling fun and cheap clothing, especially Japanese and Korean apparel and shoes. The best bargains can be found in the stores here, which attracts many young people.

Fortune Tower Shopping Centre

For electronic product shopping in Macau, there is Fortune Tower Shopping Centre on Avenida do Ouvidor Arriaga. Macaus largest computer centre has all the gizmos and gadgets from computer parts to game consoles at considerably lower prices than in larger outlets or in Hong Kong.

Taipa Flea Market

For an authentic Macau shopping experience, head to Taipa Flea Market on a Sunday. Located in the heart of an old village in picturesque Taipa Island, the market between Bombeiros Square and Cames Square has booths selling traditional crafts and souvenirs, food, drinks, clothes and toys. The market is open every Sunday from 11am to 8pm.

Nightlife
Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen
Nightlife in Macau is centred around the waterfront area of Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, a bustling venue with its rows of bars, pubs and clubs. The Moonwalker Bar and MP3 have live shows, music, drag queens, pole dancers and energetic clubbers. Both clubs open until 4am with all-youcan-drink happy hours for a flat fee of MOP$150.

Venetian Macau
Most of Macaus nightlife are also casino-based. The Venetian Macau on Cotai Strip is the largest casino in the world modelled after its sister resort in Las Vegas. It boasts 3,400 slot machines, 800 gambling tables, 3,000 suites, huge retail and convention areas and a 15,000-seat arena for high-profile entertainment and sports events. The world-famous Cirque du Soleils ZAIA also has a resident show at the resort.

Other casinos
Directly opposite The Venetian is City of Dreams, a unique integrated resort which has a giant casino, shopping outlets, fine dining, underwater theme park and hotels like Grand Hyatt Macau and Hard Rock Hotel. Other popular casinos include Stanley Hos Casino Lisboa, American Steve Wynns Wynn Casino Macau, Sands Macau and MGM Grand Macau, which all add to the glamour of Macaus nightlife.

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Festivals
Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb)
Chinese New Year is celebrated with much fanfare in Macau, whose population is 95% ethnic Chinese. It is the most important and colourful celebration for the locals, which sees floral parades, lion dances and lanterns in every corner. Most shops, offices and factories are closed during this festive period.

The Procession of the Passion of Our Lord (Feb)

The Procession of the Passion of Our Lord is a well-known Catholic rite and journey unique to Macau when the image of Christ carrying a cross travels in a solemn procession from St. Augustines Church to the cathedral for an overnight vigil. It is then returned through the city accompanied by a magenta-robed escort and crowds of the faithful and curious.

A-Ma Festival (April)

For non-Catholics, there is the A-Ma Festival when thousands of worshippers pay homage to Macaus most popular deity, the Goddess Matsu, from whom Macau is said to derive its name. The Goddess of Seafarers, also known as A-Ma or Tin Hau is worshipped for having calmed the storm that threatened fishermens boats. The ancient temple in Inner Harbour is allegedly built on the spot where grateful seafarers arrived safely on land.

Macau Arts Festival (May)

Macau Arts Festival features over 70 performances by 25 acts from 20 different countries, including Europe, South America, USA, Canada and Australia. The festival is a great opportunity for Macau artists to dbut their works and reflects the regions performing arts scene while bringing together theatre, dance, music and visual arts from around the world.

Feast of the Drunken Dragon (May)

One of the most passionate festivals in Macau is the Feast of the Drunken Dragon, organised by fishermen associations to honour the celestial dragon that mythically saved the villagers from a plague. The festival begins in the morning at Kuan Tai Temple near Senado Square, when men dressed in woodenheads and dragon tails perform a drunken dance. The dancers drink at every stop along the procession from Inner Harbour to the waterfront.

Macau Grand Prix (Nov)

The Macau Grand Prix is a major festivity during the year end when the streets of Macau are converted to a racetrack called the Guia Circuit. Located in Macau peninsulas southeast, it is famously known as one of the toughest circuits in the world, which has been conquered by the likes of Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.

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History
Macaus history dates back to the first recorded inhabitants from the southern Song Dynasty who sought refuge from invading Mongols in 1277. The name Macau is derived from the word Magao (A-Ma Temple), which is a shrine built to the sea goddess Matsu who is worshipped by migrating th fishermen from Guangdong and Fujian province during the Ming Dynasty. In the 16 century, the Portuguese arrived and developed Macau as a major settlement and trading port with India, China, Japan, and southeast Asia. However, the decline of Lisbon's world trade system in the mid-17th century and the development of Hong Kong by the British ended Macau's commercial importance. The Portuguese ruled for nearly 400 years until 1987 when the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration was signed to make Macau a Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China. In 1999, it was fully handed over to China on a 50-year promise to uphold Western-style freedoms.

Culture
The culture in Macau is distinctively Portuguese and Chinese, which is widely reflected in its language, architecture and food. Almost 95% of residents in Macau are Chinese from neighbouring Guangdong and Fujian provinces, with a small minority of mixed Asian and Portuguese ancestry known as Macanese. Although Cantonese and Portuguese are the official languages, less than 1% of the population actually speak Portuguese. Today, cultural influences from Hong Kong define most of Macaus music, media and popular culture.

Useful info
Time zone GMT +7 Population 500,000 Language Cantonese and Portuguese Currency Macanese pataca (MOP$) Dialling code +853 Weather 10-25C (winter) and 25-35C (summer)

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