Macau Travel Guide

Macau is located on the South East coast of China and 60km South West of Hong Kong. It was originally an island but as sandbars built up over time it became a peninsula. The country of Macau is made up of the Macau Peninsula, the islands of Taipa and Coloane and a strip of reclaimed land between the islands called Coatia. Macau is the most densely populated region in the world.

Macau was the first European colony in china. The area was first settled by fishermen and farmers but became a trading port because of its location at the mouth of the Pearl River. The locals called the place "ma gao" in honour of the goddess of the seafarers and this name gradually changed over time to "Macau". It became the main port between China, India and Europe after Portuguese merchant traders arrived in the 1550s. The Portuguese dominated the trade routes into Asia until the Dutch and English started to trade into the area. In 1841 after the Opium war, the British established Hong Kong and this became the main port for traders and Macau became a quiet backwater port.

Tourism is a major industry in Macau today with many hotels, resorts, sports facilities, restaurants and casinos. Gambling is the most popular attraction in Macau with strips of casinos along the Southern side of Macau Peninsula and along Cotai, which is becoming known as the "Las Vegas of the East". The largest Casino in the world, the Venetian, is located at Cotai. Aside from gambling there is plenty to do in Macau with 30 heritage listed historical buildings and squares, Fishermans Wharf with its theme park activities, a variety of shopping, the Macau Tower for views and bungy jumping, beaches on Coloane and nightclubs within most of the casinos.