Macau is a resort city in Southern China, known for its casinos and luxury hotels. Its gambling revenue has been the world's largest since 2006, with the economy heavily dependent on gambling and tourism. According to The World Factbook, Macau has the fourth highest life expectancy in the world. Macau is among the world's richest regions and its GDP per capita by purchasing power parity was higher than that of any country in the world, according to the World Bank.

The mixing of the Chinese and Portuguese cultures and religious traditions for more than four centuries has left Macao with an inimitable collection of holidays, festivals and events. The Lunar Chinese New Year is the most important traditional festival. Local cooking in Macao consists of a blend of Cantonese and Portuguese cuisines. While most are not religiously affiliated, many residents take part in Chinese folk religion (Taoism and Confucianism). According to a survey conducted in 2005, 2007 and 2009, 55% of the population do not declare religious affiliation, 30% follows folk faiths, 10% are adherents of Buddhism or Taoism, and the remaining 5% are Christians . Most Christians in Macao are members of the Catholic Church, 

Macao has one active international airport, known as Macao International Airport located at the eastern end of Taipa and neighbouring waters. There are two  ferry terminals for cross-border transportation services for passengers travelling between Macao and Hong Kong, while another serves those travelling between Macao and cities in mainland China, including Shekou and Shenzhen. In Macao, traffic drives on the left, unlike in either mainland China or Portugal, but like neighbouring Hong Kong. 

Macau is a city rich with European history, having been occupied by the Portuguese for 500 years. One minute we marvelled at a multi-billion dollar entertainment complex and suddenly we were moving down narrow ancient cobblestone streets surrounded by a mix of Chinese and European architecture. 

Nowhere else in China have Portuguese and Chinese culture so thoroughly co-mingled -- especially in "Old Macau" area around Senado Square which we visited later in the day.