Overview
About Macau

About Macau

  

LOCATION

Macau is located on the western bank of the Pearl River Delta in southern Guangdong, China and lies some 60 kilometers to the west of Hong Kong. Macau comprises Macau Peninsula, Taipa and Coloane. While Macau Peninsula is the hub of the territory, many large international hotel resorts – with new supporting infrastructure – are located on the reclaimed land between Taipa and Coloane in the newly developed Cota, such as City of Dreams and Studio City.

CLIMATE

Macao is situated in a subtropical zone, with the Asian continent to the north and a wide tropical sea to the south. In winter, Macao experiences a north wind, cold and dry weather and low rainfall. In summer, Macao is mainly subject to southwesterly winds, hot and wet weather and heavy rainfall.

July is the hottest month in Macau with an average temperature of 30°C (85°F) and the coldest is February at 15°C (59°F).

Macao is frequently hit by typhoons. The typhoon season starts in May and ends in October, with July and August as its peak period.

TIME

GMT +8:00

Macau is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time

CURRENCY

The Pataca (MOP) is divided into 100 avos and it is Macau's official currency. There are banknotes and coins in the following denominations:

Coins: 10, 20 and 50 avos; 1, 2, 5 and 10 Patacas

Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 Patacas

Foreign currency or travelers' checks can be changed in hotels, banks and authorized exchange dealers located all around the city. For your convenience, there are also 24-hour exchange counters at the Macau International Airport.

LANGUAGE

Mandarin, Cantonese and Portuguese are official languages but English is widely spoken in tourist establishments.

Macau Major Events

Macau Major Events

DatesDescription

Description

Macao boasts a unique festival culture, including such traditional Chinese celebrations as Lunar New Year, Feast of the God Tou Tei, the Tun Ng Festival (Dragon Boat Festival) as well as the important Western festivals of Easter, Procession of our Lady of Fátima, and Christmas. In addition, many large-scale international events are held in Macao such as:

Jan-Feb

The “Parade for Celebration of the Chinese New Year

Apr-May

Macao Arts Festival

Jun

Macao International Dragon Boat Races、Lotus Flower Festival、Macao FIVB World Grand Prix

Sep-Oct

Macao International Fireworks Display Contest

Oct

Macao International Music Festival、Macau A-Ma Cultural & Tourism Festival、Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF)、Lusofonia Festival

Nov

Macao International Music Festival、Macau A-Ma Cultural & Tourism Festival、Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF)、Lusofonia Festival

Dec

Macao International Marathon、Parade through Macao, Latin City、Macao Light Festival

Find out more at the Macao Government Tourism Office site: en.macaotourism.gov.mo

Getting To Macau

Getting To Macau

airport
BY AIR

Macau International Airport

The Macau International Airport is located in Taipa, right beside the Taipa Ferry Terminal and a mere 15-minute drive from City of Dreams. The airport services a number of flights that connects Macau with various major cities in Asia – Beijing, Shanghai, Taiwan, Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok and more..

For more info, visit Macau Int. Airport website

Helicopter Service
BY AIR

Helicopter Service

Sky Shuttle’s helicopter service lets you travel in style from the Hong Kong Heliport and Shenzhen Heliport. The Hong Kong-Macau route runs daily from 10am to 11pm and takes about 15 minutes. The Shenzhen-Macau route runs 3 times a day, and takes 15 minutes during the day and 25 minutes during the night.

For more info, visit SkyShuttle website

Turbojet or Cotai Water Jet
BY SEA

Turbojet or Cotai Water Jet

High speed ferry services take passengers to Macau from Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories, as well as Nansha and Shekou in China.The journey takes approximately 60 minutes. There are also Airport Routes that link Macau with the international airports in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China.

For more info, visit TurboJET or Cotai Water Jet website

Local Transportation
BY LAND

Local Transportation

Bus and taxi services serve as the primary means of public transportation in Macao. As a traveller, you will find it convenient and inexpensive to ride a bus around the territory, with local buses both modern and air-conditioned. Metered taxis are also regarded a convenient option in this relatively small city. If you want to try something a little different, hire a tricycle, bicycle or car to see the sights. Studio City also provides Free Shuttle Bus for you to get to Macau’s landmarks and shopping hotspots in comfort.

For route information, please visit:   http://www.dsat.gov.mo/bus

Taxi Service Enquiries: (853) 2828 3283