Macau Travel Guide - Brief Information on Macau

Macau is about 64km (40 miles) west of Hong Kong across the Pearl River Estuary and covers an area of 27 sq. km (almost 11 sq. miles). It was Portugal's last colony in Asia until 1999, when it was returned to China. Because of the mixture of Portuguese and Chinese elements, Macau seems different from Hong Kong, different from China, different from anywhere else. Painted colonial-style buildings and the Buddhist and Taoist temples alongside Catholic churches attract people from all around the world. People can not understand Macau’s unique mixture of cultures unless making an interesting day trip or overnight stay there. Macau consists of a small peninsula and two tiny islands connected to the mainland by bridges.

Macau is also world famous for its casino center and sophisticated lottery. The gambling industry has become one of the main sources of incomes in the region, with about half the government's revenue coming from gambling. Another major industry is tourism. All visitors have a chance to enjoy beaches, fortresses, churches, temples, gardens, and excellent museums. In addition, although hotel prices have risen in recent years, Macau's hotels are still cheaper than their counterparts in Hong Kong, so guests can bask in luxury in Macau for a fraction of what they'd pay in the former British colony; and as a duty-free port, Macau has also become a shopping heaven. Finally, Macanese cuisine is both inexpensive and delicious, especially when accompanied with Portuguese wine. Macau is the ideal place to relax, to enjoy and to travel.

There are approximately 20,000 Macanese, mixed Chinese and Portuguese. Portuguese was the only official language until 1991, even though 96% of Macau residents are Chinese. Now, English and Putonghua (Mandarin Chinese) have become the first-choice languages for business and tourism.

In addition, the opening of several excellent, special-interest museums and attractions have greatly promoted the development of Macau's tourism. Increased tourism has brought increased revenue, benefiting the local economy greatly.