Macau may be firmly back in China's orbit, but the Portuguese patina on this Sino-Lusitanian Las Vegas makes it a most unusual Asian destination. It can no longer be labelled 'the oldest European enclave in Asia' (predating Hong Kong by 300 years), but Macau's exotic Portuguese heritage and cultural mix are more highly prized than ever.

Macau has always been overshadowed by its glitzy near-neighbour Hong Kong - which is precisely why it's so attractive. Macau's pleasures are relaxed and laidback, architectural and atmospheric: narrow cobbled alleys, grand baroque churches, balconied colonial mansions, open plazas and Mediterranean-style cafes filled with palm-readers, caged birds and pipe-smokers. These days Macau is wooing commerce and tourism like never before, and plans are afoot for all kinds of family-oriented shopping malls, theme parks, towers and bridges, building on the enclave's attraction as a gambling haven. So get yourself to Macau before its unique Latin-Sino flavour is diluted by a heavy dose of development and the Guangdong throngs.

Area: 23.8 sq km (9 sq mi)
Population: 438,000
People: 95% Chinese, less than 2% Portuguese
Province: Macau Special Administrative Region
Main language: Cantonese, Portuguese, English
Time: GMT/UTC+8
Telephone Area Code: 853

Bank:

Post office:

Hospital:

Police Station:

　　please dail 110

Airport

Railway station　

Bus station

city transport
Hire Cars
Mokes - small jeep - like vehicles - painted in bright colours and good for especially exploring the islands, are available for hire at 480 patacas for 24 hours on weekdays, 500 patacas on weekends, with unlimited mileage. Drivers must be 21 years of age and hold a valid international licence.

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