Macau used to be a city under the administration of Xiangshan County in Guangdong before it was ceded to Portugal in 1557 as a reward of weeping out pirates endemic to the area. On December 20, 1999, after an absence of more than 400 years, this city un peacefully returned to China and is now a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China.

According to Macau history, Jorge Alvares became the first Portuguese to set foot in Southern China in 1513, and this visit was followed by the establishment of a number of Portuguese trading centers in the area. These were eventually consolidated at Macau, which boomed with a virtual monopoly on trade between China and Japan and between both nations and Europe. Macau also served as a vital base for the introduction of Christianity to China and Japan.

The name of Macau is derived from the word Magao (A-Ma Temple), which were shrines dedicated to Mazu, a sacred sea goddess respected by Macau people. According to legend, a junk sailing across the South China Sea one clear day found itself in a sudden storm. Everybody on board was about to give up all hope of surviving this natural calamity, when an attractive young woman, who had boarded the ship at the very last minute, stood up and ordered the elements to calm down. Miraculously, the gale winds stopped blowing and the sea became calm. Without further incident, the junk arrived safely at the port of Hoi Keang. The young woman stepped ashore and walked to the crest of the nearby Barra Hill where, in a glowing halo of light and perfume, she ascended into heaven. On the particular spot where she set foot on land, the A-Ma Temple was built in homage to her. It was said that in the middle of sixteenth century when the Portuguese first set foot there, one of the officers asked a fisherman the name of the land. But the man misunderstanding the officer's meaning, answered 'Magao' - the name of A-Ma Temple in front them. Then “Macau” became the Portuguese name for the land.

The numerous cultural heritages, buildings, even the small alleys around the city witness the transformation the island underwent over the centuries and the modernity is epitomized by the district around the Municipal Council. 

Located on the western shore of the Pearl River Delta, Macau is the gateway to mainland China from the South China Sea and is seventy kilometers off Hong Kong and forty-five kilometers away from Guangzhou. Therefore, Macau is easily accessible by the convenient and well developed transport links.

Characterized by marine and monsoon climate, the annual average temperature is around 22 centigrade degree with mild changes. The scenery varies according to weather and climate but travel to Macau is possible all year round. If you want to enjoy the local festivals, the best time should be autumn and winter when most the local celebrations fall on.  

On the Macau Peninsular you can find a variety of both Oriental and Western cultural and historical places of interest and all sorts of old buildings that are either European baroque or traditional Chinese in style. The blend of people, culture and history has influences on every aspect of life in the city. Wandering around the Macau Peninsular will bring you into a world of antiques and fashion, traditional and modern, as well as tranquility and glitz. Most travelers who have been to Macau conclude that it is a location suited to both tourism and living as it is a beautiful city with clean streets, gardens and picturesque hilly landscapes. Sunshine, clear air, green lands and all sorts of delicious food all contribute to its many attractions.

Popular sightseeing places that form part of a traveler's itinerary are spread all over the Macau Peninsular. The featured attractions are Largo do Senado Square, A-Ma Temple,Ruins of St. Paul, Monte Fortress Castle, the Museum of Macau, etc. Clothing shops, curio markets, pharmacies, snack stalls and jewelry shops housed in the narrow alleyways that radiate from the square sell dazzling items. One special for Macau is that there boast many luxurious hotels housing various gambling casinos and these venues are full of people from all over the world. Famous as 'Oriental Las Vegas', the gambling industry in Macau is booming and has already become an important part of Macau's economy. Surprisingly, tourists do not find the kind of razzmatazz in Macau's casinos as elsewhere; by contrast you can feel the expectations of gamblers from their polite manners and the peaceful atmosphere.