Traveling Luck for Macao S.A.R., China. Macao S.A.R., China, Asia

Macau is located in Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China.

Land in Macau is generally flat.

Chinese land covers an area of 28.199999999999999 square kilometers which is less than one-sixth the size of Washington, DC

Chinese flag Chinese national flag (Flag of Macao S.A.R., China)

As for the Chinese climate; subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers.

Chinese speak Cantonese 87.9%, Hokkien 4.4%, Mandarin 1.6%, other Chinese dialects 3.1%, other 3% (2001 census).

Chinese Map Chinese map

Regions of Macao S.A.R., China

Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 20 December 1999. China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be practiced in Macau, and that Macau will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.

Country Profile for Macao S.A.R., China

Macau's well-to-do economy has remained one of the most open in the world since its reversion to China in 1999. Apparel exports and tourism are mainstays of the economy. Although the territory was hit hard by the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis and the global downturn in 2001, its economy grew 10.1% in 2002, 14.2% in 2003, and 28.6% in 2004. During the first three quarters of 2005, Macau registered year-on-year GDP increases of 6.2%. A rapid rise in the number of mainland visitors because of China's easing of travel restrictions, increased public works expenditures, and significant investment inflows associated with the liberalization of Macau's gaming industry drove the four-year recovery. The budget also returned to surplus since 2002 because of the surge in visitors from China and a hike in taxes on gambling profits, which generated about 70% of government revenue. The three companies awarded gambling licenses have pledged to invest $2.2 billion in the territory, which will boost GDP growth. Much of Macau's textile industry may move to the mainland as the Multi-Fiber Agreement is phased out. The territory may have to rely more on gambling and trade-related services to generate growth. Two new casinos were opened by new foreign gambling licensees in 2004; development of new infrastructure and facilities in preparation for Macau's hosting of the 2005 East Asian Games led the construction sector. The Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Macau and mainland China that came into effect on 1 January 2004 offers many Macau-made products tariff-free access to the mainland, and the range of products covered by CEPA was expanded on 1 January 2005.

Chinese natural resources include NEGL

essentially urban; an area of land reclaimed from the sea measuring 5.2 sq km and known as Cotai now connects the islands of Coloane and Taipa; the island area is connected to the mainland peninsula by three bridges

Chinese religion is Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none and other 35% (1997 est.).

Natural hazards in Macau include typhoons.

Travel Advice for Macao S.A.R., China

Macao (Special Administrative Region of China)

This advice has been reviewed and reissued.  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

SUMMARY

  • There is no formal British Consulate in Macao.  If you require assistance when you are in Macao you should contact the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong.  Please see the Contact Details section of this travel advice for more information.

  • The threat from terrorism in Macao is low.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

  • Around 50,000 British tourists visit Macao every year.  Most visits are trouble-free.  The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Macao is for replacing lost and stolen passports.  You should take sensible precautions against pickpocketing and other street crime.

  • The typhoon season in Macao normally runs from April to October.  Please see the Natural Disasters section of this Travel and Hurricanes for more information.

  • We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see: Travel Insurance.


SAFETY AND SECURITY

Crime

The incidence of violent crime to foreigners is low but pickpocketing and other street crime can occur in some areas.  You should take extra care of passports, credit cards and money in crowded areas.  You should be careful of your belongings when checking out of hotels.  Take extra care when visiting casinos late at night.

Political Situation

Macao Country Profile


LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You should not become involved with illicit drugs of any kind.  Possession of these drugs can lead to imprisonment.

As a general precaution do not take photographs of military installations in Macao.


ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Although Macao is now part of the People's Republic of China, it remains a Special Administrative Region with its own immigration controls.  You can stay in Macao for up to three months without a visa.
If you intend to work in Macao you must obtain an appropriate visa before arrival.  For more information you can contact Chinese representation in the UK or the Immigration Department of Macao, Travessa de Amizade, Edificio Servicos de Migracao, Macao.
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some documentary evidence of parental responsibility may need to shown to local authorities before allowing lone parents to enter or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Chinese Embassy in London: Chinese representation in the UK before travelling.
Visits to Mainland China
If you intend to travel to Mainland China via Macao on a British passport you must obtain a Chinese visa before arrival at the border.  Failure to do so could result in a fine and possible detention by the Mainland Chinese authorities.  If you are entering Macao via Mainland China and leaving again via the mainland you should note you will need to be in possession of a double or multiple entry visa for mainland China.
If you enter Macao via Mainland China and leave again via the mainland you should note you will need to be in possession of a double or multiple entry visa for mainland China.


HEALTH

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling, as the cost of medical care in Macao is high.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see: Travel Insurance

Dengue Fever has not been totally eradicated in Macao and you should take precautions against mosquito bites.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at: www.dh.gov.uk

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

There have been no reported cases of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Macao during the current series of outbreaks.  But the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed cases elsewhere in the region.  There have been human fatalities in China.  Please view the China Travel Advice.

You should read this advice in conjunction with the: Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet.

NATURAL DISASTERS

The typhoon season in Macao normally runs from April to October.  You should monitor local and international weather updates from World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).  You can also access:  http://www.nhc.noaa.gov for updates.  Please also see Hurricanes for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a typhoon.
Typhoons very occasionally hit Macao and may cause flooding and landslides.  Warning is given in advance.  Public offices shut down when the 'Typhoon 8' signal is hoisted.  You are advised to remain indoors.


GENERAL

If things go wrong when overseas please see: What We Can Do To Help.
There is no formal British Consulate in Macao.  If you require assistance when you are in Macao you should contact the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong, who will put you in contact with our Honorary Consul in Macao if necessary.