Macao 2019 Guide
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ZHUHAI
Welcome
Border Gate Beijing Ilha Verde
Seoul
Mong Ha Fortress
Tokyo
CHINA Shanghai Taipei
CHINA
Reservoir Macao Ferry Terminal
MACAO
Inner Harbour
Sai Van Lake
Friendship Bridge
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Bridge
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Brid
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S O UT H C HIN A S EA
Singapore
- Taipa
Van
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Bangkok
Kuala Lumpur
Macau
Sai
4 6 8 10 12 14
Manila
Macao Science Center
Nam Van Lake
PACIF IC OCEAN
Hanoi
Macau Fisherman’s Wharf
The Historic Centre of Macao
Macau Tower
Hong Kong Macao
1 Mile
Taipa Ferry Terminal
Old Taipa Village
TAIPA
Macau International Airport
Macao by day
Explore the destination and uncover a cultural melting pot
Macao by night
COTAI
Discover a neon-lit wonderland which will excite and entertain
Food
Spectacular international dining in the home of fusion food
Lotus Bridge
Events
Ká-Hó Bay
Macao Giant Panda Pavilion
Vibrant local feasts, international festivals and sporting events
COLOANE
Book it
How to twin-centre Macao plus accommodation options
Coloane Village
A-Ma Cultural Village
Hác-Sá Bay
Information
How to get to Macao and more essential facts
Cheoc Van Bay Macao 3
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Take in the grand fountain at Cathedral Square
East meets West Macao may be small, but its blend of Chinese colour and Portuguese heritage is intoxicating – and makes it the perfect add-on to an Asian itinerary or trips Down Under
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ust 40 miles separates Macao from Hong Kong, but there’s plenty that differentiates the two. There aren’t many corners of the planet that can claim to be truly unique, but in Macao’s case the adjective is an apt one. As a vital trading port in the culturally rich Pearl River Delta, it spent more than four centuries under Portuguese administration. Fast forward to the present day and it now stands as a Special Administrative Region of China – a designation which marks 20 years in 2019. Macao still thrums with the twin influences of Europe and Asia and with everything contained in a relatively small area of just 30-square-kilometres it’s easy to make the most of this international destination. Where else can you walk down a lane
fizzing with the bustle and energy of Chinese streetlife before calling into an authentic Portuguese restaurant for a meal reminiscent of Lisbon? Where else can you spend the afternoon sipping coffee in a cobbled, tree-shaded square and the evening enjoying nightlife as grand and glamorous as anything in Las Vegas? And where else can you fit giant pandas, bungy jumping, Michelin-starred dining and UNESCO-listed buildings into the same day? Macao’s star has risen in dramatic fashion in recent years, as travellers tune into the fact that what’s on offer in the destination simply isn’t replicated elsewhere. It’s easy to visit, its hotels are world-class and its heritage is extraordinary. All things considered, what are you waiting for?
Published by Selling Travel, Suffolk House, George St, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 1SR, UK | 020 8649 7233 | sellingtravel.co.uk | Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, Selling Travel cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions Writer: James Ottery | Editorial Director: Steve Hartridge | Group Editor: Andy Hoskins | Creative Director: Matt Bonner | Designer: Ross Clifford | Production Manager: Clare Hunter | Managing Director: Martin Steady Front cover image - Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, Coloane | Images courtesy of the Macao Government Tourism Office and istockphoto.com
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Macao by day
With its cobbled streets, distinct European flair and historic buildings – Macao was everything I expected and more. The egg tarts went down a treat too! Reema Shah, Wendy Wu Tours
A new day, a new delight Take the chance to delve into Macao’s fascinating past and discover some of its key daytime attractions
Step Out, Macao
The tourist board’s eight Step Out, Macao self-guided walking tours help visitors explore the key sites as well as those off the beaten track. Jump online and download the app and discover the best that Macao has to offer.
THE HISTORIC CENTRE OF MACAO Nowhere shows Macao’s east-meets-west character more vividly than its UNESCO-listed Historic Centre. Its maze-like streets comprise 30 handsome period buildings and squares, some of them unmistakably Portuguese, others proudly Chinese. Don’t miss:
Senado Square This decoratively cobbled plaza is Macao’s beating heart, ringed by colourful 19th-century buildings and centred on a circular fountain.
Ruins of St Paul’s A grand façade is all that remains of the fire-ravaged 17th-century church that once stood here – but its tall, arch-dotted profile has become an iconic sight.
A-Ma Temple Dedicated to a Chinese sea goddess, this temple is one of the oldest structures in Macao and still exudes a special atmosphere.
TAIPA VILLAGE Three bridges connect Macao’s Peninsula to the myriad charms of Taipa, where you’ll find the enchanting one-time fishing hamlet of Taipa Village and its many attractions and a number of exciting new restaurant openings. It’s where to come to while away the hours eating, wandering and shopping: expect cobbled alleys, delicious dining experiences, Portuguese churches, Chinese lanterns and sweet-scented bakeries. In Taipa the food options are particularly tantalising, with everything from Portuguese delis to rooftop restaurants ready to be discovered. Rua do Cunha is even known locally as Food Street. Cultural highlights in Taipa include temples, museums and an art space, and you’ll also find lifestyle stores, gift boutiques and an old firework factory to explore. And as much as you might try to resist buying oven-fresh almond cookies to take home, indulgence is inevitable…
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Shopping From its antique stores and flea markets to its catwalkbrand designer boutiques, shopping in Macao caters for everyone from the idle browser and souvenir hunter to the luxury-label seeker. Even the most dedicated shopper will be spoilt for choice!
Spas Reward yourself with a spot of pampering. Macao has evolved into an award-winning spa destination, with the likes of The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Banyan Tree Macau and ESPA at RitzCarlton Macau - just three of the many five-star sanctuaries waiting to soothe, soak and massage any cares away. Coloane Village Further south, the word “sleepy” is often applied to gentle, traditional Coloane Village – and “Instagrammable” is another good fit, thanks to its atmospheric old streets and plant-bedecked houses. Visitors will find waterfront walks, pretty piazzas and – not far away – two beaches and an 18-hole golf course too. Macau Tower Stretching high above the city skyline is the 338-metre-high Macau Tower, which not only offers far-reaching 360-degree views of the surrounding region but also caters for visitors in search of adrenalin kicks. There are four high-altitude challenges to choose from, including one of the world’s highest bungy jumps. Macao Giant Panda Pavilion The chance to see a family of giant pandas up close is no everyday occurrence, which makes this
dedicated pavilion one of the hottest attractions in Macao. As well as Kai Kai and Xin Xin and their twin cubs, born in 2016, visitors can also see red pandas, monkeys and more. The Great Outdoors Keeping active is easy in Macao. Cycling, canoeing and kayaking are all on offer, as is golf – at either Macau Golf & Country Club or Caesars Golf Macau. Hiking is another draw, with routes ranging from the five-mile Coloane Trail to the 2.5-mile Grand Taipa Trail, which takes in the highest point of Taipa Island. Museums Macao is home to numerous top-notch museums. Popular highlights include the superb Macao Museum, which follows the city’s unique heritage and the similarly strong Macao Museum of Art. And keep your eyes peeled for the reopening of the Grand Prix Museum, an exciting space dedicated to the biggest sporting event in Macao’s calendar.
Clockwise from far left: Historic Ruins of St. Paul’s; stroll through the colourful Lou Lim Ieoc Garden; unique trees of Albergue da Santa Casa da Misericordia; the grand Macau Tower
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Macao by night
A mesmerising concoction of special effects, outlandish stunts and acrobatic genius come together to make The House of Dancing Water, a performance I won’t ever forget Spencer Thomas, ITC Travel
Night-time thrills
When the sun goes down, Macao’s entertainment scene roars into life – and it’s an exciting prospect on any night of the week Bridges at night
Macao’s neon skyline is a sight to behold at night, while its trio of long bridges becomes a spectacle in itself as the glimmering lights reflect in the waters of Praia Grande Bay. Try the view from barrestaurant Sky 21 for the full effect.
SHOWS In Macao, spectacular means spectacular. At the City of Dreams, resident multi-million-dollar extravaganza The House Of Dancing Water is now in its eighth year of production and still enthralling new audiences with its water-based acrobatics and special effects. Elsewhere, Macao draws a constant roster of bigname artists and shows – Mariah Carey and Sam Smith both performed in 2018. BARS When it comes to picking the perfect spot for an evening drink or two, options aren’t exactly thin on the ground. Glamorous cocktail bars? Of course. Local bars with live music? Naturally. Rooftop terraces where you can sip a G&T and watch the sun melt over the delta? Several. To cherry-pick a few of the best drinking holes, Galaxy Macau’s Macallan Whisky Bar & Lounge has over 400 premium whiskies to choose from, Altira Macau’s 38
Lounge gives incredible city views from 38 floors up and MacauSoul is a classy wine bar in The Historic Centre of Macao. CLUBS International DJs are no strangers to Macao’s after-dark scene, which boasts a number of stylish nightclubs. There’s always a late-night venue with a music genre for every taste. A prime example is Club Cubic, which runs its own full moon parties and has an eye-popping series of VIP rooms, and the sumptuously elegant China Rouge, which recaptures the glitz and glamour of old Shanghai and attracts a sophisticated crowd. CASINOS For visitors that fancy a flutter, Macao has one of the biggest and most modern gaming scenes on the planet. Take your pick from a vast array of games and slot machines – or just stroll the halls and enjoy the people-watching.
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Clockwise from far left: Macao’s sparkling skyline; A mesmerising performance of The House of Dancing Water
TICKET TO RIDE Buckled in? Good. Thrilling rides Macao-style aren’t easily forgotten, by night or by day. Batman Dark Flight at Studio City Macau is a stunning 4D adventure using the latest in-flight simulation technology to create a dramatic “flight” through Gotham City with the Caped Crusader himself. Also at Studio City, Golden Reel is the world’s highest figure-of-eight Ferris Wheel, which lets you take in sweeping city views from 130 metres up. JUMP BY NIGHT The various daring activities on offer at Macau Tower aren’t restricted to the daytime and are arguably more thrilling in the dark. If the idea of doing a “night bungy” on AJ Hackett’s worldrenowned tower jump appeals, you’re in the right place – it’s available until 10pm in July and August. Or try the equally lofty Skywalk, a hair-raising circuit of the tower’s outer perimeter, to take in the glittering lights below.
LIGHT AND WATER Wynn Macau’s Performance Lake hosts a balletic evening spectacle every 15 minutes, when seven fire jets, 1,500 coloured lights and 300 water nozzles combine to create a dazzling light and water show set to music. Over at The Parisian Macao, meanwhile, the nightly light show at the half-scale Eiffel Tower shimmers like the crown jewels and is a sight to behold. TOUR THE LIGHTS Various open-top bus tours are available for those who want to see Macao’s spectacular sights in comfort, and there’s even the option of a night-time tour to bask in the electric glow of the city after dark. GET APPY The Experience Macao app is packed with tips on where to eat, where to stay, shows and entertainment, plus offline maps, audio guides and an augmented reality function. 7
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Food
I recommend Restaurante Litoral’s Macanese fare. I had the tasty African Chicken and Minchi (beef and pork mince with an egg on top), and a bo le of locally brewed Macau beer! Phillippa Philpot, Premier Holidays
Fusion flavour Good food is nothing short of an obsession in Macao, where flavours from East and West combine
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Top image: delicious African Chicken. Anticlockwise from far page, top left: mouthwatering Portuguese fare; Rua do Cunha “Food Street”; pasteis de nata; a plate of dim sum
ating well – very well – is second nature in Macao. The destination was named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in late 2017, a deserved nod to a rich culinary heritage that stretches back more than 400 years. With Macao’s unique history, it is no surprise that this is the place to dine out on superb Chinese and Portuguese dishes, along with the local Macanese fusion cuisine. But Macao being what it is, you can also find almost every kind of global food you might have a craving for, with excellent European, Asian and South American options all on offer. From fine dining in luxury hotels to the traditional neighbourhood eateries of Taipa Village and Coloane, the most dedicated foodie will find what they are looking for in Macao. So the best advice we can give? Arrive hungry. CHINESE If there’s one cooking style that dominates, of course, it’s Chinese. Cantonese is the most prevalent cuisine,
resulting in a delicious concoction of dishes as complex as they are devourable. How visitors choose to make the most of this is up to them, from feasting on traditional fare at a buzzing streetside eatery to ordering critic-slaying set menus at an upmarket restaurant. Dishes to look out for? Clay-baked chicken with ginger, honey-glazed roast pork and braised crab should all be sampled, while traditional hotpots and, naturally, dim sum, are also very popular. PORTUGUESE The Iberian Peninsula, meanwhile, brings its own influences. There are some fantastic Portuguese restaurants across Macao, complete with checked tablecloths, lengthy wine lists and authentic menus. Look out for Portuguese staples such as caldo verde (green soup), Chouriço Caseiro (Portuguese sausage) and bacalhau (salted codfish). Some of the best restaurants to make a beeline for include A Lorcha near A-Ma Temple, the Clube Militar de Macau and Antonio in Taipa Village.
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Need a guide? Food enthusiasts can find a dedicated website full of useful info on the local food scene –at www. gastronomy.gov. mo. The website tells you all about the history of local cuisine along with a mouth-watering gallery to give you an idea of what’s on offer.
Ask a celeb
MACANESE Macanese cuisine is often pointed to as the world’s first fusion food, blending as it does the flavours of Portuguese and Chinese cooking – with a chopping board full of Indian, African, and Malaysian influences brought to Macao by the Portuguese merchants of the 16th and 17th centuries. Chilli, coconut and turmeric are all common flavours, and dishes are often cooked at length to mature their flavours. The flavour pairings and spicing of Macanese cuisine have created some exceptional dishes, such as Macanese Chilli Prawns, Minchi and the delicious African Chicken – arguably Macau’s most iconic dish – which brings in influences and uses everything from shallots and garlic to paprika. MICHELIN STARS The world has woken up to the culinary prowess of this taste-packed little corner of Asia, and Macao now boasts no less than 18 restaurants with Michelin stars. These range from three-star restaurant The Eight,
which combines Cantonese and Huaiyang cuisines, to one-star stand-outs like Shinji by Kanesaka, where the sushi is deliciously delicate, and The Kitchen, which specialises in flame-cooked meat. FOOD TO GO Macao caters exceptionally well for those who want to graze on the go. Its bakeries are renowned, not just for wafting headily sweet smells down the street, but for delicacies such as almond cookies, egg rolls, peanut candy, sesame sweets and pastéis de nata (egg tarts). It’s hard to go wrong in terms of where to try, but the go-to place has to be Lord Stow’s Bakery, originally opened by Englishman Andrew Stow in Coloane in 1989 and now established with several outlets across Macao. The street food is particularly tempting with sweet and savoury offerings such as the pork chop bun, marinated tender meat on a crusty chewy bun, or pork and beef jerky, seasoned with chilli or sweetened for those who prefer a milder snack.
The Flavours of Macao App is a handy guide to the region and its cuisine. Five renowned TV chefs including Ken Hom, Jonathan Phang and Ching He Huang share their favourite recipes from prawn with honey-glazed walnuts, bolinhos de bacalhau or lacassa soup. The app is available to download on iTunes.
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Events
Don’t miss
Macao’s events calendar gives reason to celebrate yearround, whether it’s a firework fiesta or a film festival
CHINESE NEW YEAR
January/February
Possibly the biggest event of the calendar year as around 90% of Macao’s 600,000-plus population are Chinese – when Chinese New Year comes around the whole place explodes with vibrant celebrations. Expect costumed parades, firecrackers banging in the streets, sizzling food and skies alive with smoke and colour. In 2019, Tuesday 5 February will mark the beginning of the Year of the Pig, although the celebrations last far longer. MACAO ARTS FESTIVAL
May Top image: A Chinese New Year celebration. Anticlockwise from far page, top left: Macao Light Festival; Macau Grand Prix; Macao International Dragon Boat Races
2019 marks the 30th edition of Macao’s annual Arts Festival, a vibrant month-long programme of music, theatre, dance, multimedia and visual arts attracting performers from around the world. Several performances are held in the incomparable surroundings of Macao’s numerous UNESCO-listed heritage buildings.
MACAO INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT RACES
May/June
Paddles at the ready! Taking place on Nam Van Lake on the Praia Grande shorefront, the tournament draws international dragon boat teams to Macao to pit their stamina against each other in colourful style. FEAST OF THE DRUNKEN DRAGON
May/June
Brilliant name, brilliant event. This feast takes place on the eighth day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar, and witnesses local fishermen and fishmongers parading the streets with a wooden dragon, with lots of rice wine involved. Say no more. MACAO INTERNATIONAL FIREWORKS DISPLAY CONTEST
September/October
Macao’s skyline is a spectacle at any time, but when you factor in this world-renowned pyrotechnic
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Great time of year to be in Macao as I got to witness the Macau Grand Prix. We were even lucky enough to be taken on a lap around the circuit prior to the race starting!
Clockwise from far left: Taipa Village dining, mouth-watering Macanese dishes; rice dumplings; goldfish-shaped dim sum from The Eight; pasteis de
Melanie Else, Grandstand Motor Sports
bonanza it becomes downright unmissable. The displays – which see firework experts from around the world compete to outdo each other – take place in front of Macau Tower over the course of a month. Previous winners have come from China, France, Portugal and Japan. MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL
September/October
An important milestone in the Chinese lunar calendar is this symbolic annual event, which sees the city aglow with paper lanterns and huge quantities of mooncakes (sweet pastries filled with lotus paste) being sold. MACAO INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
October
A fixture on Macao’s events calendar for more than three decades, the festival draws musicians of all stripes to the destination – you might catch performances from choirs, folk musicians, jazz artists or blues players.
prestige, making it one of the most challenging in the world. There are separate races for touring cars, motorbikes, and Formula 3. MACAO LIGHT FESTIVAL
December
Ever wondered how to turn a landmark building into a temporary work of art? This yearly festival shows you how it’s done – and in dramatic fashion. The high-profile occasion sees Macao’s night-time scenery augmented by high-tech illuminations and 3D video projections, which cloak the facades of some of the city’s most famous buildings in festive light displays. INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL & AWARDS MACAO
December
November
Since launching in 2016, Macao’s annual film festival has garnered praise in all the right places – as evidenced by the appointment of Hollywood great Nicolas Cage as a talent ambassador for the 2018 festival. The festival brings together local and international film professionals including directors and movie stars, and ensures audiences get to enjoy highquality cinema from both east and west.
Petrolheads will love this yearly festival of speed on the streets of Macao, the world’s only international street-circuit racing event that has races for both cars and motorcycles. It’s a long-established occasion – the first event was in the 1950s – and draws heavy crowds. The notoriously tricky Guia circuit, which twists through narrow streets, only adds to its
WHAT’S ON Check out the What’s on Macao app for a diary of events, performances, exhibitions and attractions. It functions off-line so you won’t miss anything even when you’re out and about. Available to download on the App Store.
MACAU GRAND PRIX
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Book it
Macao was the best of old and new culture. Anyone going through Hong Kong should take advantage of this easy trip to see some of the incredible things Macao has to offer. Steve Peca, Flight Centre
Stop and stay Great location? Great accommodation? Macao has both, making the destination a superb addition to any travel itinerary MULTI-CENTRE Macao’s unique cultural mix, much-lauded food scene and high-class attractions give it huge appeal as a two- or three-night addition to a Far East holiday or stopover en route to Australia or New Zealand.
Australia A stopover in Macao not only breaks the journey and eases transition between time zones but it provides the kind of lasting Asian experience you simply wouldn’t get from flying Down Under in one go. As a way of adding a bit of urban spice to an itinerary, it makes for the perfect pairing.
Southeast Asia Clockwise from top: a dazzling Macao skyline at dusk; picture-ready Taipa village; bustling Senado Square; luxury hotel Morpheus
Macau International Airport and Hong Kong International Airport have direct flights to regional destinations such as Bali, Bangkok, Phuket, Danang, Siem Reap, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and more, making it a perfect multi-centre option for those looking to extend their Asia trip.
Hong Kong Being just 40 miles from Hong Kong – to which it’s connected by countless ferry crossings and a 55km sea-crossing bridge – Macao can be easily partnered with its neighbour as a twin-centre break. Hong Kong’s skyscrapers and British heritage contrast neatly with Macao’s set-piece sights and Portuguese charms.
Mainland China There’s nowhere quite like mainland China to stir the travel senses – and manageable, magical Macao makes for the ideal add-on to a mainland itinerary. See the Great Wall or the Terracotta Warriors, then enjoy Macao’s Portuguese-Chinese heritage from architecture to cuisine. HOTEL PORTFOLIO World-class. It’s the most natural way of describing Macao’s shining hotel portfolio, which includes some of the most respected hospitality providers on the
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COMING SOON... Pousada de Mong-Ha The charming Pousada de Mong-Ha is soon to reopen a er a refurbishment and sits in what was once a 19th century fortress.
Grand Lisboa Palace
planet. Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, Sofitel, MGM, Mandarin Oriental, Banyan Tree, Conrad, Holiday Inn, Marriott… they’re all here. And while five-star options abound, it’s not just about luxury – Macao has choices for all tastes and budgets. MACAO CLASSICS The city skyline now has a whole array of iconic hotel buildings. These include properties like the towering Grand Lisboa, its gleaming exterior shaped like a giant lotus leaf; the 3,000-room Venetian Macao; Galaxy Macau, home to six hotels and the Grand Resort Deck and Wynn Macau, which has an impressive number of Forbes five-star awards. Spectacular new arrivals include MGM Cotai – an extraordinary multibillion 1,390-room hotel with priceless artworks and giant LED screens – and the similarly momentous Morpheus, a 770-room design masterpiece created by Zaha Hadid Architects. Part of the City of Dreams complex it is also home to The House of Dancing Water show.
Elsewhere, the past few years have also welcomed the likes of Studio City, a glamorous entertainment resort that combines high-end hospitality and highoctane thrills; Wynn Palace, an upscale offering with its own cable car; The Parisian Macao, complete with replica half-scale Eiffel Tower, water park and luxury mall; and other properties such as the 368-room Macau Roosevelt, overlooking the racecourse in Taipa, and the 223-room Legend Palace Hotel.
This hugely ambitious resort will have not one, not two, but three separate hotels: Grand Lisboa Palace Hotel, Palazzo Versace Macao and the Karl Lagerfeld Hotel. All are set to be headlinegrabbing properties with elements of the design inspired by both Versailles and imperial China. Expect big-name chefs and deluxe outlets alongside the hotels themselves.
TRADITIONAL TREATS Travellers in search of a more traditional experience can check in to one of Macao’s Portuguese-influenced pousadas. The boutique Pousada de Coloane occupies an old 1930s manor house and has sea and mountain views. VISIT MACAO To see a list of Macao’s travel partners and for holiday offers, search: visitmacao.co.uk for loads of travel ideas and inspiration. 13 Information is based on third party sources at time of going to press. Details and dates may change.
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Information
The blend of culture and the mix of old meets new makes Macao a fab destination. Being just a short hop from Hong Kong, I’d strongly recommend it as an add-on. Mimi Ronald, Travel Counsellors
This page; the Kun Iam statue; far page, from top moving down left to right: hungry panda; narrow streets of Taipa Village; ferry to Macao; Travessa da Paixão “Love Lane”; street signs make Macao easy to navigate; Hong KongZhuhai-Macao Bridge
Getting there GEOGRAPHY Macao is made up of a peninsula attached to the Chinese mainland and two islands, Taipa and Coloane. Like Hong Kong, it is officially a Special Administrative Region of China.
TAKE A WHIRL Need to get to Macao in a hurry and in style? Take the 15-minute helicopter ride from Hong Kong for the ultimate grand entrance, basking in the scenery below as you travel.
FLYING IN Macau International Airport has a number of direct flights from a large number of Asian destinations, including Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Phuket, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo. Most UK visitors tend to fly into Hong Kong International Airport, then catch the one-hour fast ferry across to Macao, either direct from Hong Kong International Airport or via Shun Tak ferry terminal. Cathay Pacific currently flies direct to Hong Kong from Heathrow (five times daily), Gatwick (daily), and Manchester (daily) and Dublin (four times weekly), with further direct Heathrow flights available with British Airways (twice-daily) and Virgin Atlantic (daily).
GETTING AROUND Macao is compact and walkable – indeed, strolling between historical sites, and other attractions is half the fun, particularly given the range of walking tours available. For longer journeys, public transport is efficient and comfortable taking the form of regular air-con buses that cover the city and both islands. Metered taxis are plentiful and well-priced – or car hire is a further option. HONG KONG-ZHUHAI-MACAO BRIDGE Opened in October 2018, the Hong Kong--ZhuhaiMacao Bridge, at 55km long, is the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge, linking Hong Kong with Macao and Zhuhai.
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Time Zone GMT +8 hours
Language Chinese and Portuguese, although English is widely spoken.
Currency The Macanese pataca is the local currency and has the same value as the Hong Kong dollar, which can also be used.
Visa British passport holders visiting Macao on holiday can stay for up to six months without a visa.
Climate Macao has a subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of 20C and follows similar seasonal pa erns to the UK. Typhoons are a possibility from May to September.
Health There are no compulsory vaccinations, although Hepatitis A is recommended. As ever, it’s worth contacting your health centre and checking fco.gov.uk for all the latest travel advice.
MORE INFORMATION Contact the Macao Government Tourism Office – UK & Ireland Representative: macao@humewhitehead.co.uk 0203 375 4058 visitmacao.co.uk 15
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visitmacao.co.uk 0203 375 4058 Macao Government Tourism Office UK & Ireland Representative 45-51 Whitfield Street London W1T 4HD 1st Floor Chester House 21-27 George Street Oxford OX1 2AU
Facebook.com/MacaoUK
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Twitter.com/MacaoUK
Instagram.com/MacaoUK
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