Macao

A destination of contrasts, modern-day Macao is both a glittering metropolis of casinos, skyscrapers and malls - earning itself a reputation as the Las Vegas of Asia - and a historic center that maintains its fascinating cross-cultural roots. Located about 40 miles across from Hong Kong on the western side of the Pearl River delta, Macao was granted to the Portuguese by Ming China in the mid-16th century as a colony and traders' enclave. A prominent trading post, the area quickly became a thriving cultural center, with three official languages: English, Portuguese and Chinese. In addition to the linguistic mix, Macao became known for its unique fusion cuisine, combining Portuguese and Chinese flavors and cooking techniques. The last European colony in Asia, Macao was returned to China in 1999, when it was designated a "Special Administrative Region" (SAR), under which it operates its own legal system, and customs and immigration policy - all independently of China, which handles military and foreign affairs. Since then, it has established itself as one of the world’s richest regions, and since 2006 it has become the world’s largest gambling center - with a number of high-end casinos, many of which are housed in world-class hotels. Despite rapid development, though, Macao still retains its colonial and cultural charms, with historic churches and temples to discover, mosaic-tiled boulevards to explore, and delicious, diverse food to sample.

Macao Regions

Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below on the right.

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Seasonality & Festivals

Browse a month-by-month breakdown of suggested itineraries, seasonal activities, climate considerations and festivals.

When to Go

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Festivals

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Weather in Macao

The best time to visit Macao is March/April and mid-October to November, when humidity is lower and the weather is pleasant.

Hong Kong and Macao lie off the southeast coast of Mainland China, where the climate is subtropical with relatively warm temperatures and higher humidity all year round. Weather patterns often shift rapidly, pushed by coastal currents, and it is possible to experience myriad weather conditions in the same day. All public interiors and many homes are air-conditioned year round, which is especially necessary during the extremely muggy months of July and August. There are, however, four distinct seasons:
Fall: from late September to mid-December it is warm and dry with low rainfall and average temperatures in the vicinity of 75°F (24°C).
Winter: from December to February is the coolest time of the year, with little rainfall, low humidity, and relatively cool temperatures of around 64°F (17° C). It is possible, though unlikely, for the temperature to occasionally fall below this and for frost to appear on the highest peaks in the New Territories.
Spring: from March to May, spring brings heavy rainfall, sporadic thunderstorms, and temperatures rising from 60° to 86°F (15° to 30°C) by June.
Summer: from June to August is not a recommended time to visit, as both the humidity and the temperatures soar, rainfall is heavy, and there is the possibility of typhoons —tropical cyclones that can be as severe as Atlantic hurricanes — that occasionally bring high winds, pelting rain, and the threat of power outages, floods, and landslides.
The local authorities have a comprehensive tracking and warning system, and in the event of a typhoon, broadcast symbols from T1 (a storm is several days off) to T10 (direct hit) appear on all TV stations. T10s are rare, however, and the area is very accustomed to this part of its annual weather; everything will be business as usual until a warning of T3 or higher. Typhoon Season, like Hurricane Season, lasts through September and occasionally tails into October or November.

Multi-Country Specialists

Macao Goes Well With

China

Hong Kong

Thailand

Taiwan

Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

Why I love Macao

Author: Phil Ingram

For nearly 500 years, after Portugal first established their colony on the western side of the Pearl River Delta, Iberian and indigenous Chinese traditions have evolved alongside each other, creating a way of life in Macao that is so utterly unique that there is no other like it, anywhere on Earth.

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