Macau
From ChinaTravelGuide
|
[edit] Overview
Macau (澳門) is located on the western side of the Pearl River Delta, bordering Guangdong province in the north and embracing the South China Sea in the east and south, and is about 70 kilometers (43 miles) southwest of Hong Kong. From 1887 to 1999 Macau was administered by Portugal as an overseas province. Today Macau is a SAR (Special Administrative Region) of China. Macau is known for its gaming and racing industries. It has a population of 436,800 and covers 25.8 sq km.
Macau is a world-renowned entertainment and leisure holiday destination, and has surpassed Las Vegas to become the world's largest gambling venue in terms of gaming revenue. Every year, more than 20 million people visit Macau, largely drawn by international casinos, like Grand Lisboa, Wynn Macau, Venetian Macao, Sands Macao.
Of course, little Macau is more than casinos. You can walk the cobbled stones, shop in fashionable malls, and worship in 400 year old Mediterranean churches, contemplate in ancient temples, discover luxury hotels and resorts, enjoy world-famous music and theater performances, eat exotic Chinese food or indulge yourself in the Vegas style buffet. Go and explore this lovely city with the 400 years of Portuguese influence and 3,000 years of Chinese history.
[edit] History
Macau was part of the Guangdong province from the Qin empire (221-206 BC) to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1643), but was not a major settlement until the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century, when Macau became the first European settlement in the Far East.
On December 20, 1999, Portugal handed over Macau to China, and Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, ending over 400 years of Portuguese administration.
Today Macau enjoys a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs under the "one country, two systems" formula.
[edit] Weather
| Weather averages for Macau | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average high °C (°F) | 18 (64) | 18 (64) | 21 (70) | 25 (77) | 28 (82) | 30 (86) | 32 (90) | 31 (88) | 30 (86) | 28 (82) | 24 (75) | 20 (68) | |
| Average low °C (°F) | 13 (55) | 14 (57) | 17 (63) | 21 (70) | 24 (75) | 26 (79) | 26 (79) | 26 (79) | 25 (77) | 23 (73) | 18 (64) | 14 (57) | |
| Rain mm (inches) | 22 (0.9) | 38 (1.5) | 63 (2.5) | 119 (4.7) | 181 (7.1) | 245 (9.6) | 223 (8.8) | 249 (9.8) | 154 (6.1) | 45 (1.8) | 22 (0.9) | 28 (1.1) | |
| Source: per MSN 2008 | |||||||||||||
Current Conditions (2008-11-20 18:03:00, local time)
|
Macau |
Temp: 64°F (18°C) |
Macau Weather Forecast
|
Today |
Saturday |
Sunday |
Monday |
[edit] Map
[edit] Getting in & Getting out
[edit] By Air
Macau International Airport (MFM) (澳门国际机场) is located on the east side of the outlying island of Taipa. It was opened to the public in November, 1995. The airport's runway was built on a strip of reclaimed land in the sea, off the Taipa Island, which hosts the main terminal and air traffic control facilities. The runway is connected to the apron by two causeways.
Under the "One country, two systems" policy, Macau (same as Hong Kong) has its own immigration policies and customs. Visitors entering the mainland of China will have to go through immigration and customs checks. Flights between Macau and mainland China are treated as international flights.
Macau airport (as well as Hong Kong airport) is often used as a common transition place for people traveling between mainland and Taiwan, because there are no direct flights (except for some charters at Chinese holidays). However, there are talks going on to open the direct flights between mainland China and Taiwan.
Macau has numerous flights to cities in Southern China, such as Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, and other major cities in China. It also provides many international flights to countries on the Pacific Rim.
Please refer to Macau International Airport page for more details such as airport transport, contact info, airport tax, etc.
[edit] By Bus
[edit] By Ferry
[edit] Getting Around
[edit] By Public Bus
[edit] By Tour Bus
[edit] By Metro
[edit] By Taxi & Rental Car
[edit] Attractions
- Ruins of St Paul College (大三巴牌坊)： St Paul College Cathedral was a 16th-century cathedral in Macau. It was built from 1582 to 1602 by the Jesuit Order, and was the largest Christian church in Asia at the time. It was destroyed by a fire in 1835. Today, with 66 stone steps leading to the facade, the ruins of the church are Macau's most famous tourist site.
- A-Ma Temple (妈阁庙): This Chinese temple consists of the Gate Pavilion, the Memorial Arch, the Prayer Hall, the Hall of Benevolence, the Hall of Guanyin, and Zhengjiao Chanlin (a Buddhist pavilion), each forming a small part of the well-ordered complex which sits in perfect harmony with the natural environment.
- Tam Kung Temple (谭公庙)：Built in the first year of the Tongzhi Reign of the late Qing Dynasty (in 1862), it is one of the comparatively large temple of Coloane. It is written in the couplet on the door of the temple of Tam Kung: "The stone jiao and the spirit of bell correspond to Billing, and returning waves and beautiful island are similar to Penglai."
- St. Lawrence Church (圣老楞佐堂): One of the more beautiful churches of Macau, St. Lawrence Church was originally built of wood in the 1560, and was rebuilt several times.
- Kun Iam Temple (普济禅院)：Kun Iam Temple is one of the three most famous temples of Macau. Kun Iam Temple was previously constructed to the south of Mong Ha Mountain, later was reconstructed in the sixth year of Tongzhi Reign (1867) to enlarge its construction scale to the now look.
- Lotus Temple (莲峰庙): Also called Lin Fung Temple. Integrating the artistic and historical values into the same body, Lotus Temple is the grandest and the most beautiful temple.
- Pou Tai Un Temple (菩提园)：Located on the island of Taipa, Pou Tai Un Temple is a grand attraction for tourists. Started by the Buddhist monks in the beginning of 1800s, the facilities at the Pou Tai Un Temple in Macau mirror the affluence of the temple. The prayer hall inside the Pou Tai Un Temple in Macau is home to three images of the Precious Buddha.
[edit] Hotels
[edit] Budget
[edit] Restaurants
[edit] Shopping
[edit] Night Life & Entertainment
[edit] Sports & Recreation
[edit] Excursions & Day Trips
[edit] Area and Postal Codes
| City | Area Code | City | Area Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macau (澳门) | 853 |
[edit] Tips & Practical Info
The best time to visit Macau is the fall (October to December), which is of mild weather with low humidity. Winter (from January to March ) is a bit cold, but still full of sunshine. Once in April, it gets warmer and is full of spring blossoms. Summer (from May to September) is always hot with occasional typhoon, but good time to swim and water skying.
