Macau Fast Facts
This post covers some fast facts about Macau you may wish to know before flying there. As usual, the tourist attractions are not covered.
Geography
As a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Macau is about 60 km directly west of Hong Kong and it borders the China’s Guangdong Province.
Source: http://graphicmaps.com/webimage/countrys/asia/lgcolor/mocolor.htm
Macau occupies the western edge of the delta formed by the Pearl River and the West River. It consists of the Macau Peninsula (attached to mainland China) and the small islands of Taipa (氹仔) and Coloane (路环).
Brief History
1557 – occupied by Portugal
1862 – Portuguese colony
1999 (Dec 20) – China Special Administrative Region
Macau was once a simple fishing village on the southeastern China coastline, then became the first European settlement in the Far East after being colonized by the Portuguese.
Its geographic position and excellent inland port made it quickly became a vital base for regional merchants, and for international commerce between China and the western world. Nowadays, Macau is a world-class entertainment town with international casinos, like Grand Lisboa (新葡京), Wynn (永利) Macau, Sands (金沙) Macao, Venetian Macao, MGM Grand Macau, Crown Macau, and StarWorld.
Tourist Guide
The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has a wide range of consumer brochures, maps, guidebooks and shopping guides. Just stop at its information counters and get free copies of leaflets/maps on the ground floor of the Ferry Terminal, Airport Arrival Hall, Senado Square, Guia Lighthouse and many other tourist points.
The one at the Ferry Terminal.
Visa
Not required for Malaysian visitors. 30 days stay is granted upon arrival.
Macau International Airport
Located on Taipa Island and is 8km from city. It takes less than 20 minutes by taxi from all points in Macau (including the Macau Ferry Terminal, downtown business district, the Cotai Strip, and the Barrier Gate border with Zhuhai, China).
Luggage storage at airport: 20 MOP per day.
Airport Bus AP1
- Regularly leaves the airport (every 10-13 minutes).
- Stops throughout central Macau at many of the major hotels including a stop at the major intersection by Wynn Macau, Hotel Lisboa, and Grand Lisboa.
- Operated from 7:15am to 12:20am.
- Fare is 3.30 MOP.
Money
- Pataca (MOP).
- HKD is freely accepted (on par with MOP).
- China's RMB is increasingly being accepted.
- 24-hour currency exchange service is available in Hotel Lisboa and the international airport.
Language
- Portuguese and Chinese are official languages.
- Cantonese is widely spoken.
Climate
Periodic rainstorms: May to September
Cooler months: November to February
Coolest month: January (13 – 18°C)
Hottest month: July (27– 32°C)
Phone
International Area Code: +853
Emergency: 999
Police: 919
Fire: 572 222
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Again, crowded!
Transportation
Bus Service
Bring passengers from the Macau peninsula to Taipa and Coloane.
Bus stops display information in Chinese and Portuguese.
Most tourist destinations are accessible by public bus.
Bus No.3 runs from Ferry Terminal to City Centre.
Taxis
- Two types of taxis: yellow and black. They charge the same rate.
- 11 MOP for the first 1.5km.
- Each additional 180 meters costs 1 MOP.
Additional charges:
3 MOP (luggage fee) per bag
1 MOP for every 50 seconds of waiting time requested
5 MOP for departure from Macau International Airport
2 MOP for trip between Taipa-Coloane
5 MOP for trip between Macau-Coloane
Black Cab hotline ﹕2893 9939
Yellow Cab Hotline ﹕2851 9519
Shuttle Buses
Many hotels offer free shuttle rides to and from the Border Gate and ferry pier. Hop on a shuttle bus if your destination is a hotel or someplace nearby.
Shopping Tips
You may be approached by strangers at hotel lobbies, arrival hall of Macau International Airport, Macau Ferry Terminal, Border Gate or any other locations, informing that holders of a foreign passport can purchase Chinese herbs or any other products at a bargain price. Don’t believe it! It might be a trap.
Certain taxi drivers may suggest that you go to a particular restaurant or shop which offers more reasonable prices or discounts. Do not believe such offers, since the information may be misleading.
Always ask the price for every item whenever you are ordering food at a restaurant or purchasing goods at a shop, and make sure it is quoted in Patacas and not US Dollars.
If payments are made by credit card, verify if the respective slip is completely filled in with the total amount. Keep a record of the payment slip.
Geography
As a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Macau is about 60 km directly west of Hong Kong and it borders the China’s Guangdong Province.
Source: http://graphicmaps.com/webimage/countrys/asia/lgcolor/mocolor.htmMacau occupies the western edge of the delta formed by the Pearl River and the West River. It consists of the Macau Peninsula (attached to mainland China) and the small islands of Taipa (氹仔) and Coloane (路环).
Brief History
1557 – occupied by Portugal
1862 – Portuguese colony
1999 (Dec 20) – China Special Administrative Region
Macau was once a simple fishing village on the southeastern China coastline, then became the first European settlement in the Far East after being colonized by the Portuguese.
Its geographic position and excellent inland port made it quickly became a vital base for regional merchants, and for international commerce between China and the western world. Nowadays, Macau is a world-class entertainment town with international casinos, like Grand Lisboa (新葡京), Wynn (永利) Macau, Sands (金沙) Macao, Venetian Macao, MGM Grand Macau, Crown Macau, and StarWorld.
Tourist Guide
The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has a wide range of consumer brochures, maps, guidebooks and shopping guides. Just stop at its information counters and get free copies of leaflets/maps on the ground floor of the Ferry Terminal, Airport Arrival Hall, Senado Square, Guia Lighthouse and many other tourist points.
The one at the Ferry Terminal.Visa
Not required for Malaysian visitors. 30 days stay is granted upon arrival.
Macau International Airport
Located on Taipa Island and is 8km from city. It takes less than 20 minutes by taxi from all points in Macau (including the Macau Ferry Terminal, downtown business district, the Cotai Strip, and the Barrier Gate border with Zhuhai, China).
Luggage storage at airport: 20 MOP per day.
Airport Bus AP1
- Regularly leaves the airport (every 10-13 minutes).
- Stops throughout central Macau at many of the major hotels including a stop at the major intersection by Wynn Macau, Hotel Lisboa, and Grand Lisboa.
- Operated from 7:15am to 12:20am.
- Fare is 3.30 MOP.
Money
- Pataca (MOP).
- HKD is freely accepted (on par with MOP).
- China's RMB is increasingly being accepted.
- 24-hour currency exchange service is available in Hotel Lisboa and the international airport.
Language
- Portuguese and Chinese are official languages.
- Cantonese is widely spoken.
Climate
Periodic rainstorms: May to September
Cooler months: November to February
Coolest month: January (13 – 18°C)
Hottest month: July (27– 32°C)
Phone
International Area Code: +853
Emergency: 999
Police: 919
Fire: 572 222
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Again, crowded!Transportation
Bus Service
Bring passengers from the Macau peninsula to Taipa and Coloane.
Bus stops display information in Chinese and Portuguese.
Most tourist destinations are accessible by public bus.
Bus No.3 runs from Ferry Terminal to City Centre.
Taxis
- Two types of taxis: yellow and black. They charge the same rate.
- 11 MOP for the first 1.5km.
- Each additional 180 meters costs 1 MOP.
Additional charges:
3 MOP (luggage fee) per bag
1 MOP for every 50 seconds of waiting time requested
5 MOP for departure from Macau International Airport
2 MOP for trip between Taipa-Coloane
5 MOP for trip between Macau-Coloane
Black Cab hotline ﹕2893 9939
Yellow Cab Hotline ﹕2851 9519
Shuttle Buses
Many hotels offer free shuttle rides to and from the Border Gate and ferry pier. Hop on a shuttle bus if your destination is a hotel or someplace nearby.
Shopping Tips
You may be approached by strangers at hotel lobbies, arrival hall of Macau International Airport, Macau Ferry Terminal, Border Gate or any other locations, informing that holders of a foreign passport can purchase Chinese herbs or any other products at a bargain price. Don’t believe it! It might be a trap.
Certain taxi drivers may suggest that you go to a particular restaurant or shop which offers more reasonable prices or discounts. Do not believe such offers, since the information may be misleading.
Always ask the price for every item whenever you are ordering food at a restaurant or purchasing goods at a shop, and make sure it is quoted in Patacas and not US Dollars.
If payments are made by credit card, verify if the respective slip is completely filled in with the total amount. Keep a record of the payment slip.
2 comments:
你不是中国人啊。怎么都是英文
我是华人，不是中国人。语文的选择纯属随性，没有特别的意思。
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