Macau is an autonomous region formerly owned by Portugal. The history of the region is very interesting, as are the traditions that have survived to this day. Macau has a huge variety of cultural and gastronomic attractions for tourists.
General information about Macau
6,000 years ago, the first residential settlements began to be created in the region.200 BC... - date of accession to China.1557 g. - construction of the first Portuguese colony.
The Portuguese colony retained the right to trade with China up to 1685 g... It was at this time that the Chinese allowed other European states to engage in commercial craft. However, a conflict arose between the British and local rulers, the cause of which was the ban on the opium trade. The result of a large number of losses from England was the outbreak of war between the Chinese and the British colonies.
For your information! 1999 year - transfer of regional management of the Macau country to mainland China. Since that time, Macau has been a special administrative region of the PRC.
Geographic location
Macau occupies the territory of a small peninsula in the south of China. The area is 30.8 km² 60 km from the central part of Hong Kong.
Population and language
Macau is inhabited by over 600 thous. people, 94% is the Chinese population. The most widespread dialect is Cantonese. Portuguese is not the official language.
How to get to Macau
First of all, you need to fly to Hong Kong airport. There are direct flights both from Moscow and from Vladivostok.
Note! Macau International Airport cooperates exclusively with Asian Airlines. In addition to Hong Kong, this list also includes Beijing, Wuhan, Shanghai, Bangkok.
The most profitable route is via Beijing, the duration of which is slightly longer. 13 h... This flight is operated by airlines such as Hainan Airlines and Air Macau. Flights operated by China Eastern Airlines through Shanghai are approximately 15 h... If you stay in Bangkok, from where Thai Airways planes depart, the flight will take approximately 16 hours.
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From the airport to the center of Macau
You can get to the central part of Macau, where most of the attractions are located, by buses:
- № 26;
- MT2;
- No. 2 (at night).
High speed ferry
You can get from Hong Kong to Macau on one of the operating ferries. The daily schedule includes a stop every half hour from 07:00 to midnight.
In addition, night ships run along this route.
From the port to the center of Macau
Hong Kong ferries arrive at one of two terminals:
- Macau Outer Harbor;
- Taipa Ferry.
A visiting tourist can overcome the distance from the ferry terminal to the city center in two ways:
- by bus;
- order a taxi.
Bus service
In three hours by bus to Macau, depending on where the country of stay of the outgoing tourist is located, you can get from the cities:
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- Guangzhou;
- Shengzhen;
- Dongguan.
You can take a bus in Zhuhai. There are two bus stations in this city. However, the route ends at the Macau-China border.
On foot
It is possible to reach Macau by staying in the city of Zhuhai. The Gongbei border crossing is located in its southern part.
When leaving the bus station, you need to cross the square and head towards the large building. If necessary, any stranger will give directions.
Important! The mandatory procedure for crossing the border crossing is to go through customs and passport control.
Helicopter
The duration of the flight from Hong Kong is about 20 minutes, a little more from about. Taiwan. However, prices are focused more on wealthy tourists.
Visa
Citizens of the Russian Federation can stay in Macau for 30 days, regardless of the purpose of the visit; a visa is not required for this. Absolutely free border pass for Russians. Despite this, a number of conditions will be required:
- provision of documents;
- payment of border tax in Macau currency;
- receipt of a coupon, where the fact and date of crossing the border are recorded.
Important! The entry ticket must be kept until the end of the trip.
Season to visit Macau
The best time to visit Macau is, of course, the end of the year. The autumn-winter period in this subtropical region is characterized by sunny weather, almost no precipitation. The spring season is also considered a very good place to visit. From March to May, the thermometer does not rise above 24 ° C. The air temperature from the beginning of summer to September is 30 ° С. It is in the summer months that typhoons with monsoon and thunderstorms come to the region.
Areas to live in Macau
The choice of accommodation is based on the purpose of the arrival. You can settle in the following areas:
- Macau;
- Taipa;
- Colan.
Taipa and Kolan are large islands annexed to the center of Macau.
O. Taipa
The area is distinguished by an abundance of luxury five-star hotels, including:
- Sheraton;
- Grand Hyatt;
- Zaha Hadid;
- Four Seasons.
There are casinos and shopping centers inside the hotels. Each individual room is luxuriously furnished.
In addition, the tourist island can offer vacationers a budget two-star hotel.
Primorsky Kolan
An ideal place for relaxing by the sea and relaxing activities. The total price tag in the Kolan area is lower than in other areas. Lots of four star hotels. Airport shuttle is provided, there are large casinos and a ferry port.
Macau Center
The peninsula is the center of the city. Most of the tourist hotels are located near the Senate Square. All major attractions can be reached on foot.
Note! The choice of accommodation option is driven by the available budget. The casino city is able to offer vacationers both elite hotels and hostels.
Cost of rest in Macau
Taking into account the exchange rate of the yuan, the Macau currency, at the beginning of 2020, 1 yuan coin costs 10 rubles. * Based on this, the approximate vacation costs will be as follows:
- $ 300 will be required for a person arriving for two days, taking into account the cost of the ferry and accommodation;
- ordering lunch at the food court will cost4$ per person;
- dinner in a European-style restaurant will cost8$;
- the minimum price for an evening with elite alcohol will be US $ 31.;
- purchase of wardrobe items at a price similar to Russian prices;
- a ticket for any public transport will cost 0,5$;
- taxi call will cost7$.
Important! Buses from the port terminals to hotels are free of charge.
Places of interest in Macau
In just a day, you can visit as many as four cities. The fishing village has a distinct Portuguese flavor. Macau city center is rich in picturesque streets and theaters. The best place for evening entertainment is considered to be the new casino area. In addition to all of the above, what else can you see in Macau, a traditional temple is open to visit.
Neon casinos
Establishments of this kind can be found in almost any elite hotel or hotel. However, the most popular are:
- Venetian Macau - a large-scale casino with spacious gambling halls and original Italian interior;
- Grand Lisboa - the oldest gambling establishment in the city, considered the most prestigious in Asia;
- The Sands Macau is an American style gambling establishment offering various bonuses.
Religious temples
All the temples of Macau where there are many tourists can be divided into two types:
- for Buddhists;
- Catholic.
Temple of a-ma
It is a UNESCO heritage site. XV century. - the date of the construction of the oldest Buddhist temple complex. Dedicated to the local patroness of anglers.This unusual place has remarkably preserved ancient architecture. The buildings are characterized by the design of the Chinese style. Despite the small area of the temple, there are a lot of people in it.
St. Joseph's Church
Located in the center of the capital city of Macau. Part of the relics of St. Francis Xavier is kept inside the church.
Ruins of st paul's cathedral
The cathedral is an architectural heritage left by Europeans. However, at present, the former holy temple is a large ruin in the form of a surviving facade.
Note! A large number of young people gather here.
A-Ma statue and Tian Hou temple
The height of the white jade statue with a multi-storey building is 20 m.
The temple, located next to the A-Ma statue, is a religious complex that also includes a museum and a restaurant.
Fortresses
In the city of Macau (Macau), two fortresses are open to the public:
- Guia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A signal beacon can be seen right here. To get to the observation deck, you need to climb to the top of the structure. There is a chapel inside the fortress;
- Fortaleza do Monte. Located near the central part of the city. You can climb the fortress wall and explore the old military fort with preserved cannons.
Cultural institutions
Within the city limits there are a number of interesting museums to visit.
- Macau City Museum. Included in the UNESCO Sites List. Located in the center. The first floor is occupied by exhibits describing the history of the city, religions and cultural traditions of two civilizations. On the second floor, there are many exhibitions on the theme of folk art. The rooms on the third floor are dedicated to contemporary art.
- Art Museum. Venue for various exhibitions. Located in the southern part of Macau, where it can be viewed next to the reception, any hotel has a corresponding card.
- Wine Museum. Here you can buy good collection wines, listen to the story about the stages of making a drink and taste the samples you like.
Rest in the park
For a relaxing pastime, you can choose one of two parks:
- Fishing village. Convenient location near the ferry port. The village is designed as a theme park, there are no real fishermen here. There are relatively few tourists. You can relax and take a photo on the embankment;
- Seak Pai Van. Park on about. Taipa, where you can see pandas, flamingos and parrots. The pandas are behind glass in a special pavilion.
Tourist streets
In the center is Senado Square with the Macau flag. The main city square hosts the largest social events. There is an open pedestrian area with fountains, green spaces, benches. Nearby are the historical part of the city, the main attractions in Macau and municipal buildings.
For your information! The square got its name from the close location of the civil bureau, formerly called the Senate.
Planning one day of vacation in Macau
You can organize a one-day excursion in Macau as follows:
- upon arrival by ferry at ten in the morning, you can go to the Fisherman's Village. It will take about forty minutes to examine it;
- the next point after the village is the city center with various Portuguese cafes and interesting sights. It is better to take three hours to visit the historical part of Macau. Many small shops offer an original Chinese or Portuguese dessert for free;
- the evening is best to devote to visiting one of the many casinos in Macau, where show programs are often organized;
- closer to night it is recommended to go up to the observation deck when it gets dark and the neon lights come on.
Excursion around the area
If you have a Chinese visa, you can go to Zhuhai. City bus rates are very low.
Neighboring Hong Kong is a city of skyscrapers and duty-free shopping. You can get there by booking a ferry or plane ticket.
City excursions in Macau
Among the most exciting excursion tours are the following:
- WinWin Tours;
- Macau Explorer Cultural Travel;
- water tour Gondola Ride;
- Macau Tour Guide;
- CotaiTravel Macau Private One-day Tour.
Local kitchen
Unusual dishes to order in a restaurant:
- Bacalhau is considered the most famous dish in Portuguese cuisine. For its preparation, dried cod is used;
- an African chicken with herbs and garlic, whose homeland is the same Portugal;
- linguado Macau and chili shrimp;
- Chinese noodles, shark fin soup, sweet and sour pork;
- dessert Pastéis de Nata, known all over the world.
The level of security in the country
Macau is a country where tourism is very developed, so the crime rate is relatively low. A large number of people can safely walk the streets at any time. Despite this, you should keep a close eye on your personal belongings.
Things to do in Macau
The most popular pastime in Macau is visiting the casino. Lovers of quiet leisure are recommended to relax in the park or go to the beach.
The House of Dancing Water
It is better to purchase tickets to the circus in advance. Often there are not enough places for everyone. The cost of attending the show ranges from $ 90 to $ 210. For this money, tourists will see bright costumes, laser performances, big top and dancing water in the exciting show The House of Dancing Water.
Bungee jumping
The jump from a height is almost 340 m from the main city tower. Such an extreme sport will cost about 360$... In addition, you can walk with a belay at a height of two hundred meters.
Relax on the beach
Popular with beach-goers include Cheoc Van and Hac Sa. You can get to them by bus.
Night life
All the most famous bars are located on Avenida Dr Sun Yat-Sen street.
Note! The best club where tourists like to go to dance is Cubic on the island. Taipa.
Souvenirs
Jewelry and branded watches will be wonderful gifts. Many Chinese and Portuguese sweets are sold in Senado Square. In addition, there are often souvenir shops inside large hotels.
Getting around the city
The most popular ways of getting around are calling a taxi and taking a bus.
Taxi
This type of transport is considered the most budgetary. The car can be painted yellow or black. The call is made by phone.
Bus
Intra-city buses carry out both paid and free transportation of passengers. Paid buses run within the city and to nearby islands.
For your information! The conductors are replaced by a box next to the driver's seat.
Car rental price list
Approximate cost of car rental:
- Ford-Ka - 14 euros per day;
- Puegout-308 - 32 euros per day;
- Audi-A4 - 60 euros per day.
Macau is an interesting vacation option for connoisseurs of Portuguese and Asian cultures. There is a lot of entertainment for gamblers. A vibrant city with a very unusual history is always glad to tourists.
* Prices in the article are for February 2020.
