Your Guide to Macao
Experience Macao in your own way. Whether you’re travelling for leisure, taking that next family getaway, part of a small or large group, travelling for business, meetings or a conference, Macao is one of Asia’s most exciting destinations and truly has something for everyone.
Now known as one of the world’s most exciting destinations for all styles of travel, Macao boasts mind blowing landscapes of centuries-old architecture and local cuisine, newly built hotels and resorts that provide world-class entertainment and shows plus world-firsts in family attractions that cannot be found in neighbouring cities.
About Macao:
The Macao Special Administrative Region is small and compact and is just 30 sq.kms in size. It is made up of three areas…the Macao Peninsula and the islands of Taipa and Coloane.
Taipa and Coloane, over past years, have become connected by the reclamation of land for the development of new and experiential Travel and Tourism products. This area called the Cotai Strip is now home to some of the largest integrated resorts in the world.
A Living Museum of Culture and History:
Even today, Macao offers its visitors 450 years of preserved history and has never lost its unique blend of Chinese and European cultures.
From its bygone days when Portuguese traders established Macao as a gateway to the Orient, this famous centre has charmed the world with its east-meets-west attractions and cultural values.
When you take a stroll along the narrow streets and through the colourful squares of old Macao, you will see a fusion of beautiful Portuguese architecture alongside centuries-old Chinese temples and gardens.
Today, Macao thrives on its old-meets-new characteristics and recent contemporary additions complementing the peninsula’s historic legacies, many of which are protected by UNESCO World Heritage status. Macao’s compact size makes it easy to move around.
Almost all attractions or places of interest are no more than 15 minutes from a visitor’s hotel or arrival point.
English is widely spoken and generally used in trade and tourism. However, Chinese and Portuguese are the official languages, Cantonese being most widely spoken.
Macao offers an array of UNESCO World Heritage sites with over 450 years’ of history – renowned as the original meeting place between Europeans and Chinese.
Macao’s hotels and resorts have something to offer all tastes, budgets and needs. These now include newly opened hotels such as the Wynn Palace and The Parisian Macao, which join other Australian traveller favourites including (singular hotels)
Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16, MGM Macau, Studio City Macao, OR (multi-hotel options) City of Dreams, Sands Cotai Central and Galaxy Mega Resort, to name a few.
Macao’s integrated resorts and facilities are designed to cater for multiple hotels across a resort providing a variety of accommodation options to fit a style or budget, different dining options from local cuisine to the fine dining experience, tailored and unique world-class entertainment and shows.
This includes the rapidly expanding range of activities and attractions that are ideal for leisure travellers and families.
Macao is a destination that combines local heritage and cultures with world-class annual events such as the Macao International Fireworks Competition, the Macau Grand Prix, The Latin Parade, Macao International Marathon and the Light Festivals, which draw international visitors by the numbers.
Macao is one of the few cities in the world that can host a variety of travel options for leisure, small and large sized groups, meetings or conference and annual themed events from film, fashion and sports.
Macao’s nightlife is famous for its variety, its frantic pace and constant change.
For night owls this is a city that doesn’t sleep and show time is 24 hours a day – with attractions such as the dramatic “The House of Dancing Water” and “The House of Magic” a must see when in town.
Getting There:
From New Zealand, flying directly to Hong Kong International Airport provides the most direct way to access Macao. Travellers have the following choice of airlines to choose from - Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand and Hong Kong Airlines.
Alternatively, and depending on your travel plans, Macao is accessible via a large variety of other premium and low cost airlines via other major Asian hubs. Passengers can then arrange their connecting flight that will have travellers fly directly into the Macao International Airport.
Ferry Information:
Macao is located just 60 kilometres from Hong Kong and is a simple 70 minute ferry ride with services operating every 15-30 minutes. These services operate from: • The Hong Kong–Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island • The China Ferry Terminal in Tsim
Sha Tsui, Kowloon • And the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal in New Territories to Macao and reverse