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Macau
(China)


Gambling, greenery and glitz in a cultural mix.

Macau is a city with two faces: the fortresses, churches and food of former colonial masters Portugal speak to a uniquely Mediterranean style on the China coast. And yet Macau is also the self-styled Las Vegas of the East. The last few years have seen once-sleepy little Macau booming.


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Getting There
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To Do & See
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At a Glance
Getting Around:

To/from the airport: catch the airport bus AP1, which zips around Taipa before heading to the Macau ferry terminal and the Border Gate. The bus stops at a number of major hotels en route and departs frequently. Otherwise hire a taxi or there are bus services to Coloane (Nos 21 and 26) and the A-Ma Temple (No 21.)

Other than walking, the best way to get around the Macau Peninsula is by air-conditioned bus or minibus. Routes take in most of the sights. Taxis are metered and reasonably priced, but not too many drivers speak English. As for those touristy three-wheeled pedicabs (triciclos) clustered round the Jetfoil pier and Lisboa Hotel - well, they can be more expensive than the taxis, plus they're slow-moving and restricted to touring the waterfront. Bicycles can be hired from Taipa Village but remember you cannot cross the Taipa-Macau bridges on a bike. Driving in Macau can be a somewhat hair-raising experience - there are way too many cars in too small a space, and the drivers all seem to think they're Grand Prix heroes. Cars can be hired though the traditional Mokes (Jeep like-convertible) may soon be phased out. Either way, they're best reserved for more tranquil Taipa and Coloane.

Weather:

Macau has a sub-tropical climate, with a yearly average of 20°C (68°F). Humidity is highest through the typhoon season in June, when 30°C (86°F) temperatures accompany torrential downpours that continue through until September. Autumn (October-December) brings a cool change and the humidity declines a little. The winter period (January-March) can be cold (down to 10°C/50°F), but the sun is never far away. From April Macau starts to get muggy again, maintaining a yearly humidity average of between 70% and 90%.

Dial in code(s):
City code:853
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