Located 40 mi (60 kms) away across the Pearl River Estuary, Macau is
a refreshing escape from Hong Kong.
Like Hong Kong , it has undergone much development and expansion.
Yet, it is still relatively quieter and more relaxed than Hong Kong. There are numerous new luxury hotels and resorts and, of course - and the main attraction for Hong Kong's high-rollers - there is gambling 24 hours a day.
For non-gamblers, the sight-seeing is pleasant, there's an excellent golf course, the Macanese food (which is very different from Portuguese or Chinese food) is superb and the Portuguese wine excellent and inexpensive.
Be certain to try the refreshing vinho verdo. It is a white wine, not green as the name implies, with a slight effervescence. A splendid drink in hot weather. There's even a Wine Museum if you really want to get into it.
Background: Dating back to the mid-16th century, Macau is the oldest European settlement on China's coast. At midnight on December 19th, the Portuguese handed over the territory to China which became another Special Administrative Region, like Hong Kong, under the 'One-Country, Two-Systems' doctrine.
Visas: A passport is required of everyone, but citizens of the following countries may enter without a pre-arranged visa and remain for 20 days:
- Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada
- China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland
- France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland
- Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg
- Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Netherlands
- Norway, Philippines, Poland, Singapore
- South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
- Taiwan, Thailand, U.K., U.S., Uruguay
- All other nationalities can obtain their visas upon arrival for HK$100
- Hong Kong residents with permanent HKIDs can remain for 90 days.
Money: The unit of currency in Macau is the pataca. It is traded at virtually the same rate as the Hong Kong dollar --- in fact Hong Kong dollars are accepted everywhere in Macau, but the reverse is not true.
Patacas are not accepted in Hong Kong so get rid of them before you leave. If you gamble in Hong Kong dollars in the casinos, your winnings are paid in HK dollars.
By Sea from Hong Kong: Most visitors take one of the 24-hour, high-speed ferries (jetfoils, foilcats, turbocats, jet-cats) for the 50-60 minute trip.
The majority of the sailings go from the Macau Ferry Terminal, Shun Tak Centre, in Hong Kong's Central District. There are a few sailings from the China Ferry Terminal, Canton Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon.
The jet-cat service from Kowloon is the cheapest at HK$113 (one way)
while one-way weekday fares from the Macau Ferry Terminal start at HK$130
(daytime-Hong Kong to Macau) and HK$137 (Macau to Hong Kong) for economy.
Departure taxes:
HK$19 (Hong Kong); HK$26 (Macau)
Telephone Enquiries:
- 2859 3333 (Hong Kong)
- 790 7039 (Macau)
- 2516 9581 (Jet-cats in Hong Kong)
- 726 301 (Jet-cats in Macau)
- 2921 6688 (Credit card bookings in Hong Kong (excludes jet-cats)
- Note: only Visa, MasterCard and American Express accepted. HK$5 per ticket surcharge. No returns or refunds.
By sea from Macau: All departures leave from the Macau Ferry Terminal.
By Helicopter: It only takes 20 minutes by East Asia Airlines choppers and there are, of course, few people to contend with.
Flights leave from the Macau Ferry Terminals in both cities, not at the airports, so you arrive right in town.
The one-way weekday fare is HK$1,205, weekends/holidays HK$1,309.
Half-hourly flights operate between 10 a.m.and 11 p.m.
Helicopter hotlines (dial-a-ticket)
- 2559 9800 (Hong Kong)
- 727 288 (Macau)
By Air (international flights): In less than 30 minutes, visitors can reach most of Macau from the Macau International Airport.
Departure tax HK$80
Airport Direct to Hong Kong: There is fast service called ExpressLink between the Macau Ferry Terminal in both cities and the Macau airport to shuttle passengers (and their baggage) whose final destination is Hong Kong through quickly.