A vibrant and ever-changing landscape, Macau is a unique blend of Portuguese heritage, the traditional cultures of the Orient and the futuristic spirit of Las Vegas.
Colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th Century, Macau is located across the Pearl River Estuary from Hong Kong; the streets are easier to navigate than those of its near neighbour and it feels very different to mainland China, too.
Even though the city is only 28 square kilometres, approximately, it is home to over 500,000 inhabitants, which makes Macau one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Approximately 95% of the residents are ethnic Chinese and speak Cantonese, with the remaining 5% of the population made up of Portuguese and other Western nationalities.
The landscape of Macau has changed since the Chinese re-took control in 1999. The city centre has been redeveloped and now sparkling skyscrapers are nestled amongst the crumbling baroque and Portuguese architecture with branded stores sitting alongside the traditional shops that line the cobblestone streets. For more information about the city’s sites and for travel further afield, visit our pages on Things to do and see and Getting Around.
