Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China on the Pearl River Delta, about 60 km west of Hong Kong. Its compact peninsula and the islands of Taipa and Coloane combine a UNESCO-listed Portuguese colonial old town, Cantonese temples and street food, and the glittering casino resorts of the Cotai Strip.
Macau's history is that of a meeting point between China and Europe. From a fishing settlement named after the goddess A-Ma, it became around 1557 a Portuguese trading post linking Guangzhou, Nagasaki and Goa, and grew into the first and last European colony in China. Catholic orders built churches and colleges, while Chinese merchants and Macanese families of mixed heritage developed the city's distinctive food, language and architecture. After the Opium War and treaties of the 19th century, Portugal formalised its rule, and on 20 December 1999 Macau returned to China as a Special Administrative Region. Casino liberalisation in 2002 transformed the economy and the Cotai skyline, while the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre preserves the old city.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Macau.
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1
First Portuguese Arrival
Portuguese explorer Jorge Alvares reaches the Pearl River estuary, the first European contact with the Macau area.
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2
Portuguese Settlement Begins
Portuguese traders are allowed to settle on the Macau peninsula, paying rent to Ming authorities, establishing a trading post between China, Japan and Europe.
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3
Senate Founded
The Leal Senado, an elected municipal council, is established to govern the Portuguese community.
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4
Jesuit St. Paul's College and Church
The Jesuits build St. Paul's College and the church whose facade survives as Macau's best-known landmark.
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5
Dutch Attack Repelled
A Dutch fleet attacks Macau and is driven back by Portuguese defenders and local volunteers.
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6
Fire at St. Paul's
A fire destroys the church and college, leaving only the stone facade.
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7
Portugal Declares Free Port Status
Governor Joao Maria Ferreira do Amaral stops paying Chinese land rent and expels Chinese customs officials, asserting Portuguese control.
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8
Sino-Portuguese Treaty
The Treaty of Peking recognises Portugal's 'perpetual occupation and government' of Macau.
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9
12-3 Incident
Riots against Portuguese rule shift local power and increase mainland influence.
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10
Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration
Portugal and China sign the agreement to return Macau to China on 20 December 1999.
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11
Handover to China
On 20 December 1999 Macau becomes a Special Administrative Region of China under 'one country, two systems'.
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12
Gaming Liberalisation
Macau ends the single-operator casino monopoly, leading to the Las Vegas-style resorts of the Cotai Strip.
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13
UNESCO World Heritage Listing
The Historic Centre of Macau is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
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14
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Opens
The 55 km bridge-tunnel link opens, connecting Macau, Zhuhai and Hong Kong by road.
Historical eras
The chapters of Macau's past.
Fishing village and Ming China
Fishermen worship the sea goddess A-Ma at a temple on the south of the peninsula, in what was then a small settlement in Xiangshan County.
Portuguese trading port
Portuguese merchants settle, Jesuits arrive and Macau becomes the hub of the China-Japan silk and silver trade.
Decline and Dutch conflict
The loss of the Japan trade and Dutch rivalry reduce the port's fortunes; the Senate remains the local authority.
Treaty era and colonial rule
Portugal asserts control in 1849 and wins formal recognition in the 1887 Treaty of Peking.
20th century
Macau stays neutral in World War II, receives refugees from the mainland, and sees the 1966 riots.
Handover and SAR
The 1987 Joint Declaration is followed by the 1999 handover; the Basic Law protects Macau's system for 50 years until 2049.
Casino boom and heritage listing
Gaming liberalisation, the 2005 UNESCO listing and the Cotai Strip reshape the territory.
Historical sites
Places where Macau's past comes alive.
Ruins of St. Paul's
The granite facade of the former Church of Mater Dei, carved with Christian and Asian motifs, is all that remains after the 1835 fire.
Where: Rua de São Paulo, Macau Peninsula
Admission: Free; Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt free (verify)
A-Ma Temple
One of Macau's oldest temples, dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, with pavilions climbing Barra Hill.
Where: Rua de São Tiago da Barra, Macau Peninsula
Admission: Free
Mount Fortress
The Jesuit-built hilltop fort that helped repel the 1622 Dutch attack, now home to the Museum of Macau.
Where: Praceta do Museu de Macau, Macau Peninsula
Admission: Fort free; Museum of Macau MOP 15 (approx $1.90)
Leal Senado Building
The seat of Macau's historic municipal senate, with an azulejo-tiled courtyard and a library holding historic books.
Where: Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, Macau Peninsula
Admission: Free; ground floor and library open to visitors
Guia Fortress and Lighthouse
A fort with a chapel containing 17th-century frescoes and the oldest modern lighthouse on the China coast.
Where: Colina da Guia, Macau Peninsula
Admission: Free
Moorish Barracks
A pink Mughal-style building built for Goan soldiers, now Marine and Water Bureau offices; its facade can be viewed from the street.
Where: Calçada da Barra, Macau Peninsula
Admission: Free to view the exterior
Lou Kau Mansion
A merchant's Lingnan-style mansion built of blue brick, with a courtyard, carved wood and stained glass.
Where: 7 Travessa da Sé, Macau Peninsula
Admission: Free
Museums
Curated collections that tell Macau's story.
Museum of Macau
Macau Grand Prix Museum
Taipa Houses-Museum
Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt (St. Paul's)
Macao Maritime Museum
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.
Historic Centre of Macau self-guided walk
Free walking route linking Senado Square, St. Dominic's, Ruins of St. Paul's, Mount Fortress and A-Ma Temple; download the route map from the Macao Government Tourism Office (macaotourism.gov.mo) or collect one at the Senado Square information centre. Allow 3-4 hours.