A Brief History

Fishermen from Fujian and farmers from Guangdong were the first known settlers in Macau, when it was known as Ou Mun, or "trading gate", because of its location at the mouth of the Pearl River downstream from Guangzhou (Canton). During ancient times port city was part of the Silk Road with ships loading here with silk for Rome.
Even after China ceased to be a world trade centre, Guangzhou prospered from seaborne business with the countries of Southeast Asia, so the local entrepreneurs welcomed the arrival of Portuguese merchant-explorers. They followed in the wake of Jorge Alvares, who landed in southern China in 1513, and set about finding suitable trading posts.
In the early 1550s the Portuguese reached Ou Mun, which the locals also called A Ma Gao, "place of A Ma", in honour of the Goddess of Seafarers, whose temple stood at the entrance to the sheltered Inner Harbour. The Portuguese adopted the name, which gradually changes into the name Macau, and with the permission of Guangdong's mandarins, established a city that within a short time had become a major entrepot for trade between China, Japan, India and Europe.
It also became the perfect crossroad for the meeting of East and West cultures. The Roman Catholic church sent some of its greatest missionaries to continue the work of St Francis Xavier, (who died nearby after making many converts in Japan). A Christian college was built, beside what is now today's Ruins of St Paul's, where students such as Matteo Ricci prepared for their work as Christian scholars at the Imperial Court in Beijing. Other churches were built, as well as fortresses, which gave the city an historical European appearance that distinguishes it to this day.
Portugal's golden age in Asia faded as rivals like the Dutch and British took over their trade. However the Chinese chose to continue to do business through the Portuguese in Macau, so for over a century the British East India Company and others set up shop here in rented houses like the elegant Casa Garden. As Europe's trade with China grew, the European merchants spent part of the year in Guangzhou, buying tea and Chinese luxuries at the bi-annual fairs, using Macau as a recreational retreat.
Following the Opium War in 1841, Hong Kong was established by Britain and most of the foreign merchants left Macau, which became a quaint, quiet backwater. Nevertheless it has continued to enjoy a leisurely multicultural existence and make daily, practical use of its historical buildings, in the process becoming a favourite stopover for international travellers, writers and artists.
In modern times Macau has developed industries such as textiles, electronics and toys, as well as building up an a world class tourist industry with a wide choice of hotels, resorts, sports facilities, restaurants and casinos. As in the past, Macau's economy is closely linked to that of Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, in particular the Pearl River Delta region, which qualifies as one of Asia's "little tigers". Macau provides financial and banking services, staff training, transport and communications support.
Macau is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China since 20 December 1999, and, like Hong Kong, benefits from the principle of "one country, two systems". The tiny SAR is growing in size - with more buildings on reclaimed land - and in the number and diversity of its attractions. The greatest of these continues to be Macau's unique society, with communities from the East and West complementing each other, and the many people who come to visit.

Location & Area

The Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) is a part of China’s territory. It is located on the Southeast coast of China to the western bank of the Pearl River Delta. Bordering on Guangdong Province, it locates 60km from Hong Kong and 145km from the city of Guangzhou.
The Macau Special Administrative Region has an area of 28.6 sq. km, comprised of the Macau Peninsula (with 9.3 sq. km and connected to Mainland China), the islands of Taipa (6.5 sq. km) and Coloane (7.6 sq. km) and the reclaimed area COTAI (5.2 sq. km). The three bridges connecting Macau to Taipa are Nobre de Carvalho (2.5 km long), the Friendship Bridge (4.5 km long) and Sai Van Bridge (2.2 km long). The longest one (Friendship Bridge) leads directly to Macau International Airport located on the Island of Taipa. The Sai Van Bridge, which was opened on 9 January 2005, is the first cable-stayed bridge in Macau. The double deck bridge has six lanes in the upper deck and four in the lower, which will open when a typhoon hits the city. The islands are connected by a causeway which is 2.2 km long.
Besides the Barrier Gate (Portas do Cerco), the visitor can access Mainland China through the COTAI Frontier Post. Immigration and Customs are located in the reclaimed area between the islands of Taipa and Coloane.

Time

Macau is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.


Population

The total population was estimated to be 525,500 . About 94% are ethnic Chinese, from different provinces, namely Guangdong and Fujian. The remaining 6% includes Portuguese and other regions.


Language

Chinese and Portuguese are the official languages, Cantonese being most widely spoken. The official languages are used in government departments in all official documents and communications. English is generally used in trade, tourism and commerce.


Currency

The Pataca (MOP$) is divided into 100 avos and it is Macau’s official currency. There are banknotes and coins in the following denominations:Coins: 10, 20 and 50 avos; 1, 2, 5 and 10 Patacas. Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 Patacas.
By the decision of the Government the Pataca is linked to the Hong Kong dollar (HK$) which is accepted as currency in Macau. The exchange rate is MOP$103.20 = HK$100.00. There is an acceptable variation up to 10%. Roughly 10 Patacas is equivalent to 1 EURO and 8 Patacas is equivalent to 1 US Dollar.
Foreign currency or travellers’ cheques can be changed in hotels, banks and authorised exchange dealers located all around the city. If the visitor needs to change money outside the usual banking hours, there are 24 hours exchange counters operating in the Macau International Airport (Taipa Island) and in the Lisboa Hotel (Macau). Banks open normally from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Most credit cards are accepted in many hotels, shops and restaurants.
There are no restrictions on the amount of currency, which can be brought in or taken out of the territory.


Climate

Macau located at the west bank of Pearl River Delta in South China, is the intersection of Mainland China and South China Sea. It is also located at the south of tropic of Cancer. The winds directions in winter and summer are opposite. Therefore, Macau is in the monsoon region and from the climate classification is considered mild and rainy in summer. The most comfortable period begins from the middle of October to December.
The winter season in Macau covers the months January and February. The cold air from north Siberia continuously passes through the Mid and South China into Macau region and brings us cold and dry northerly winds. The urban temperature sometimes drops below 10ºC. Therefore, the annual minimum temperature is generally recorded in these two months. When the precipitation and rainy days are less it is because there is lack of water vapour in the atmosphere.
March and April is the seasonal interchange period. The wind direction along the coastal region of South China is mainly easterly to southeasterly, which will increase the temperature and humidity. Beside some occasional wet weather, fog, drizzle and low visibility days, the weather is mainly fine in spring.
The summer in Macau is longer than the other seasons. Because of hot and wet conditions, the bad weather such as thunderstorm and heavy rain always occur from May to September. Waterspout can be seen occasionally.
Meanwhile from May to October, tropical cyclones occur frequently which make the highest records of precipitation, temperature, rainy days and thunderstorms. As local tropical cyclones number 8 typhoon signal is hoisted the sea and air transports are suspended.
The autumn begins at October, at that time the mainland China becomes cool. The autumn season in Macau is very short, the weather is stable and comfortable with clear sky. It finally returns to the cool and dry November. The cold air from the north will intrude periodically in December.


Health

Macau is one of the most developed countries in Asia in terms of public health provision. Here, the average life expectancy is 75.5 years for men and 79.9 years for women.
Vaccination certificates are required only in exceptional circumstances, either in Macau or through the region, where vaccinations are needed. Visitors are not advised to have any particular vaccinations.
Tap water is safe to drink both in Macau and on the islands. Its quality is regularly checked and guaranteed by the Health Department according to international standards.


Media & Information

There are plenty of daily and weekly newspapers in Macau, published in Portuguese, English or Chinese languages.
Moreover, there are several Chinese and Portuguese magazines published in Macau regarding several aspects of the life and culture in Macau and region: the 'Revista de Cultura', edited by the Cultural Institute (published quarterly and in two versions: Chinese version and Portuguese and English version). There is also a magazine named 'Macau', a periodical publication in Chinese, Portuguese and English versions. English and Chinese languages newspapers and periodicals from overseas are readily available at most local newspaper stands or in major hotels.
Macau has its own Chinese and Portuguese radio and TV stations. Teledifusão de Macau (TDM), while Macau Cable TV provides its viewers with around 40 channels of diverse TV programmes.

Shen Zhen - A city of charm

Shenzhen is a sunny, young and modern city, China's brilliant tourism city and an international garden city. Shenzhen is a picture, a poem and a dream. Dubbed "Wonderful Shenzhen, A City of Joy," the city sincerely welcomes the arrival of friends from all over the world.

Shenzhen is one of the most important tourism cities in Mainland China and a very important base for making tourism profit in foreign currency, highly reputed as "China's Theme Park and Capital of Tourism Innovation". Particularly the Oversea Chinese Tourism Zone and Mission Hills Golf Club are the first batch top-grade Class AAA tourism zones. Shenzhen is highly favored with the tourism and transportation network with the stereoscopic vision, safe and swift convenience, easy access to the sea, inland and air ports and easy connection with thee inland, waterway and urban transport facilities, greatly bringing the development of food, residence, travel, tourism and amusement into coordination, gathering together the delicacies and famous, excellent and special variety and new commodities from all parts of the country and the world.

In 2006 the tourism residential facilities enjoy 23.1728 million person times of the over-night guests and tourists, increased by 8.1% over the previous year, including the overseas tourists of 7.1274 million person times, up to 15.6%. The employees in the tourism industry exceed more than 0.12 million and the fixed assets reach more than 20 billion RMB yuan. The main tourism scenic spots aggregate up to more than 50 and there are altogether 160-odd star-level hotels and 70-odd travel agencies.



Tourism Scenic Spot

In December 2004 the result of "Shenzhen's top eight scenic spots" Evaluation Activity which lasted six months was unveiled. Dapeng Fortress, Lotus Hill, Overseas Chinese Town, Shennan Thoroughfare, Wutong Mountain, Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches, Zhongying Street and Yangtai Mountain stand out so brilliant as the top eight scenic spots out of the total 31 scenic spots, thus forming an integrated conglomerate of "Shenzhen's top eight scenic spots". This is the third selection of the urban landscape and scenes subsequent to the selection of "Top Eight Scenic Spots in Xin'an" in the Tongzhi Period of Qing Dynasty and the selection of "Shenzhen's Top Ten Tourism Scenic Spots" in 1997.

Yangtai Mountain

It is located in Mt. Yangtai in Bao'an District with its main peak measuring 587.3 meters tall, blessed with plentiful rain and the agreeable climate, representing the headstream of the main streams and rivers of Shenzhen which is abundantly surrounded with the luxuriant trees and flowers with many different wildlife animals running along. At the foot of Mt. Yangtai is the residential area of Hakka people. During the Anti-Japanese War, Yangtaishan Guerilla saved the lives of several hundred Chinese and overseas cultural figures and patriotic democratic personages, particularly Mao Dun, Zou Taofen, He Xiangning, etc., and transferred them to safety and concealment in Yangtaishan District, thus Yangtaishan is well reputed as "Mountain of Heroes".

Zhongying Street

Zhongying Street is located in Shatoujiao Town, Yantian District, Shenzhen City. The boundary tablet that was erected in the center of the street in 1898 with the inscription of "CHINESE BOUNDARY 1898 NO x ", splitting the original Shatoujiao Town into two sections with the eastern part called Shaotoujiao of the Chinese Boundary and the western part called Shaotoujiao of the British Boundary, so it is also called "Zhongying Street". UP to the present it still represents the sign of demarcation line of "one country, two systems", so Zhongying Street is famous for its unique political and historical brilliance featuring "One Street, Two Systems".

Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches

Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches are located on the side of Dapeng Bay of Shenzhen, Dameisha Bay is approximately 2000 meters wide while the Xiaomeisha Bay is approximately 800 meters wide, the sea sand is yellow and white with small particles, plain an soft as if a crescent moon were delicately embedded in the green mountains and the blue sea, highly reputed as "Oriental Hawaii" which is the favorite holiday destination attracting tourists for holiday, leisure and amusement and even surfing and fitness.

Wutong Mountain

The main peak of Wutong Mountain stands 944 meters tall, the first peak in the Pearl River Delta and "Heavenly Pond of Wuling Range". Now there are Forest Park and Sport Park, constituting one of the best scenic spots for sightseeing while mounting up to the top of the mountain. Standing on the mountainside of Brave Man Slope, you can survey Hong Kong, Dapeng Bay, Yantian Port and Shatoujiao ushering in the early morning sun ray, where you are surrounded with the unrestrained and far-ranging seas and the skies with a carefree and joyous mind.

Shennan Thoroughfare

Shennan Avenue running through the downtown area of Shenzhen City is the busiest traffic road in Shenzhen, starting from Sanjiu Hotel along the Yanhe Crossing on the east to Nantou Inspection Station and it is an 8-lane dual carriageway with green belt sandwiched between the two neighboring lanes with a total length of 17.2 kilometers long. The essence of the buildings in Shenzhen stand brilliantly along both sides of Shennan Avenue with the most important tourism scenic spots and famous enterprises scattered along the avenue as well, so it showcases the street landscape with the high degree of modern features, rarely-seen in Mainland China.

Overseas Chinese Town

Overseas Chinese Town is located in Overseas Chinese City Landscape Area, including many theme parks such as "Splendid China", "Chinese Folk Culture Village". "Window of the World" and "Happy Valley", highly integrating the traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese folk culture with the World cultural essences, presenting a perfect combination of the natural landscape with humanistic landscape and adopting the modern scientific and technological expressive means of sound, light and electricity, etc., coupled with the opera and song performances in the oriental "Broadway", highlighting the combination of the quiescent and dynamic exercises and a variety of new styles and patterns, thus causing a great attraction to the audiences.

Lotus Hill

Even in ancient times, Lotus Hill got a Holy Name and was well reputed for its natural beauty and purity. Lotus Hill is located in the north side of the downtown area of Shenzhen City and derives such a name for its similarity to the lotus in shape. Lotus Hill covers a total area of 166 hectares, offering the largest expanse of public green space in the urban center. Lotus Hill is actually one of the most important municipal parks with abundant landscape and scenes with elegant and magnificent hills and waters around. Standing on the hilltop, you can appreciate a panorama view of the central area of the city.

Dapeng Fortress

Dapeng Fortress is located in the east side of Longgang District in Shenzhen City with its former full name as "Dapeng Military Fortress for Protection of Households in the Town", which was built to fight against the invasion of the Japanese pirates, covering a total area of 110,000 square meters, initially built in 27 Year of Emperor Hongwu Period in the Ming Dynasty (or in 1394 ), which is at present the only key historical and cultural site under the protection of People's Republic of China. During the period of Opium War, the "Zhenwei general Military Camp" of the famous general bravely fighting the British invaders, Guangdong navy prefect Lai Enjue and the "general Military Camp" of Fujian navy prefect Liu Qilong are most imposing with extraordinary brilliance and elegance. In September 1839 Lai Enjue directed his military men to win the victory in Jiulong Maritime Battle, thus starting the prelude of the Opium War. So this is an ideal place to worship the national martyrs and heroes, getting well informed of the history and appreciating the ancient styles and relics of the Qing Dynasty.




Shopping

Shenzhen enjoys the well-developed commercial supply network and boasts the large-scale shopping center--"Food and the City", which highly integrates retailing, catering, amusement, leisure, culture, fitness into its multi-element business scope, thus highly reputed as the super indoor shopping center in Shenzhen for its largest scale, in South China for its best service and in Mainland China for its demonstration effect.
At the same time there are a variety of large-scale shopping malls like Wal-Mart, Shirble Department Store and Carrefour, etc., and shopping streets such as, Dongmen Ancient Street and Huaqiangbei, etc, and a series of specialty supermarkets, convenience stores, fashion street and home appliance street, all of which are scattered all along streets like stars in the sky, gathering together the famous, excellent, specialty and new products from every part of the country and the world.
All traders and business people undertake the guarantee for the product quality and provide the excellent after-sale service, so you can just rest assured while shopping in Shenzhen in terms of quality and quantity.