VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS REGULATIONS in Macao (Maomen), China
Citizens of the Russian Federation are required to obtain an entry visa when entering Macau. The period of stay on a tourist visa is limited to 20 days, a visa is issued upon entry to Macau upon presentation of a passport valid for at least 30 days on the date of entry into Macau and a return international air ticket. Sometimes cash in the amount of at least $US1000 is required. Questionnaires are not filled out when applying for a visa, photos are not required.
In Macau, there are no restrictions on the import and export of currency. It is allowed to import duty-free up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 gr. tobacco products, 1 liter of wine and up to 1 liter of other alcoholic products, as well as personal goods in the amount of not more than 10,000 MOP. Imports of fish, shellfish meat, meat and vegetables are restricted. It is forbidden to import firearms, drugs, rare varieties of plants and animals, pesticides. There is a 5% import tax on electrical appliances and equipment.
Language:
The official languages of Macau are Chinese (Cantonese) and Portuguese. English is widely spoken in gambling, tourism and trade.
Cuisine in Macao (Maomen), China
Macau offers a wide variety of restaurants serving a variety of global cuisines, including Sino-Portuguese, Cantonese, Italian, French, Indian, Japanese and many more.
Macanese cuisine is unique. It originated under the influence of Portuguese, Indian, Malaysian and Chinese culinary traditions. Brazilian contribution to the local cuisine is “feijoada”, which is made from beans, pork, potatoes, cabbage and sausage. Traditional Portuguese dishes that have become native to Macau are cod, which is stewed, baked, fried or boiled; oxtail; rabbit dishes, as well as a variety of soups. The Portuguese also began to use spices from India and Africa, which are added to the most popular dishes today. Makan bakers prepare delicious bread.
Macau’s restaurants are famous for their rich variety of Portuguese wines, which, along with port and brandy, are sold at surprisingly low prices.
Banks in Macau (Maomen), China
Banks are open from 9:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday and from 9:00 to 12:00 on Saturday.
Money in Macau (Maomen), China
Despite the entry of Macau into the PRC, it retained its currency, the Macao pataca (MOP$), which is still in use. There are 100 Avos in one pataca. In circulation there are banknotes of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10 pataca, coins of 5 and 1 pataca, as well as 50, 20 and 10 avo. One pataca is approximately equal to one Hong Kong dollar. The Hong Kong dollar is freely circulating in Macau. Here, almost everywhere you can pay in Hong Kong dollars, getting change in Patacas. Yuan is not accepted everywhere. They can be used to pay in large shops and hotels.
Visa and MasterCard credit cards are freely accepted in hotels and restaurants.
Rate: 10 Pataca Macau (MOP) = 1.12 USD
Embassy in Macau (Maomen), China
Macao (Aomen), China, Embassy in Moscow
Chinese Embassy in Moscow: 117330, st. Friendship, 6
Macao (Aomen), China, Russian Embassy in the country:
1000600, Beijing, st. st. Dongzhimen Beizhongjie, 4
Phone: (86106)532-20-51, Consular Department – (86106)532-12-67
Communication in Macao (Maomen), China
Payphones are found throughout the city. However, it will not be easy for tourists who come here for the first time to identify them. It is necessary to look not for telephone booths, but for white or gray devices in restaurants, hotel lobbies and supermarkets. You can pay for the conversation with coins worth 1 or 5 pataka, some payphones work with cards. Phone cards come in denominations of 50, 100 and 150 pataka. In the largest business and tourist districts there are payphones that work with credit cards.
To call from Russia to Macau, dial 8 – 10 – 853 – area code – phone number.
To call from Macau to Russia, dial 00 – 7 – area code – phone number.
Emergency Phones in Macao (Maomen), China
Police, fire service, ambulance – 999
HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS
January 1 – New Year
three days in January or February – Chinese New Year
April 5 – Qingming Festival (Tomb Cleaning Day)
two days before Easter – Holy Friday and Holy Saturday
May 1 – Labor Day
8th day of 4th lunar month – Buddha’s Birthday
5th day of the 5th lunar month – Duanwu (Dragon Boat) Festival
October 1-2 – PRC Proclamation Day
9th day of the 9th lunar month – Zhongqiu (Mid-Autumn) Festival
November 2 – Day commemoration of the dead
December 8 – Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary
December 20 – Founding Day of the Macau Special Administrative Region
December 21 or 22 – Winter Solstice Day
December 24 – Christmas Eve
December 25 – Christmas
USEFUL THINGS
Macau is generally safe, but beware of pickpockets.
SHOPS
According to medicinelearners, most shops are open throughout the week from 10:30 to 20:00.
TIPS
Tips in restaurants and cafes are usually no more than 10% of the bill.
NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Residents of Macau do not consider themselves Chinese. They say: we are Makans. Many of them have a second, Portuguese passport. Makans are distinguished by rare religious tolerance and respect not only their traditional religions, but also Catholicism brought here by the Portuguese.
ELECTRICITY
220V, 50Hz;
HEALTH
Vaccination certificates are not required when entering Macau. However, it is worth getting vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A, typhoid. Several major hospitals in the area provide adequate medical care. If you need a highly qualified specialist, you can find one in nearby Hong Kong. It is recommended to take out medical insurance before the trip.
