Hong Kong & Macau – Quick Revision Notes

Geography & Physical Features

  • Hong Kong: Mountainous (Victoria Peak 552 m552\,m); 200+200+ islands (e.g., Lantau); notable beaches (Repulse, Shek O, Clear Water); Sai Kung volcanic formations.
  • Macau: Peninsula plus islands (Taipa, Coloane, Cotai); highest hill Colina da Guia; reclaimed coastline; Hac Sa “Black Sand” Beach.

Key Tourist Areas

  • Hong Kong: Central & Western (Victoria Peak view); Tsim Sha Tsui (Victoria Harbour, light show); Lantau (Disneyland).
  • Macau: Peninsula (Ruins of St Paul’s, Senado Sq., A-Ma Temple, forts); Taipa (Portuguese streets, food); Cotai (“Vegas Strip” mega-resorts).

Climate & Weather

  • Four seasons: Spring Mar–May\text{Mar–May} warm/humid; Summer Jun–Aug\text{Jun–Aug} hot >31∘C31^\circ\text{C}, wet, typhoons; Autumn Sep–Nov\text{Sep–Nov} clear/pleasant; Winter Dec–Feb\text{Dec–Feb} cool/dry.
  • Humidity 70%70\%–90%90\% year-round; peak rainfall May–Sep\text{May–Sep}; typhoon risk Jul–Sep\text{Jul–Sep}.

Transportation

  • Access: Hong Kong Intl. (HKG) – world’s busiest cargo hub; home airline Cathay Pacific. Macau Intl. (MFM) – hub Air Macau.
  • HK ⇄ Macau: Bus C$$11.35C\$\$11.35 (≈4545 min); Ferry C$$27.94C\$\$27.94 (≈6060 min); Helicopter C$$750.82C\$\$750.82 (≈1515 min).
  • Within HK: MTR (daily 4.84.8 million), Star Ferry, double-deck trams, red/green/blue taxis.
  • Within Macau: Public buses (+free casino shuttles), taxis, driverless LRT.

Unique Accommodations (Samples)

  • Hong Kong: Tai O Heritage Hotel C$$170–310C\$\$170–310; The Peninsula C$$249–1355C\$\$249–1355 (+1414 Rolls-Royce fleet).
  • Macau: Grand Lisboa C$$251–500C\$\$251–500 (lotus-shaped); The Venetian C$$250–700C\$\$250–700 (indoor canals, 550,000 m2550{,}000\,m^2 gaming).

Major Attractions

  • Hong Kong: Peak Tram (since 18881888, 66 million riders/yr); Victoria Harbour & “Symphony of Lights”; Disneyland (7.77.7 million visitors/yr).
  • Macau: Ruins of St Paul’s (built 16021602, fire 18351835, ∼\sim2.5–32.5–3 million visitors/yr); Senado Square (UNESCO); Guia Fortress (highest point defense).

Gastronomy Highlights

  • Hong Kong: Sweet-and-Sour Pork, Snake Soup, Roast Goose.
  • Macau: Pork Chop Bun, Portuguese Egg Tarts, African Chicken.

Religion & Events

  • Hong Kong: Mix of Buddhism/Taoism (≈22 million) & Christianity (≈1.41.4 million); Event – Buddha’s Birthday (lunar 44/88).
  • Macau: 80%80\% Buddhism & Chinese folk; Christianity 6.7%6.7\%; Event – A-Ma Festival (lunar 33/2323) with opera, lion dance, offerings.

Sacred Sites

  • Hong Kong: Tian Tan “Big Buddha” (climb 268268 steps).
  • Macau: A-Ma Temple (incense, red-ribbon wishes).

Traditional Arts & Etiquette

  • Crafts: HK – porcelain, jade, mahjong tiles, silk; Macau – azulejos tiles, bamboo scaffolding, incense.
  • Dress: HK Qipao/Hanfu; Macau tangzhuang + qipao fusion.
  • Etiquette: HK – minimal touch, respect chopsticks, don’t empty bowl; Macau – accept items with both hands, wait for host, use formal titles, modest dress at temples.

Historical Timeline (Key Dates)

  • Hong Kong: ceded 1841–421841–42; Kowloon 18601860; 9999-yr lease 18981898; Japanese occupation 1941–451941–45; handover 19971997; “One Country, Two Systems”.
  • Macau: Portuguese lease 15571557; treaty 18871887; handover 19991999; UNESCO historic centre 20052005.

Fast Facts & Trivia

  • Hong Kong: world’s “Skyscraper Capital”; birthplace of Kung Fu cinema.
  • Macau: “Gambling Paradise”; Portuguese until 19991999.

Canadian Travel Advice (≤9090-day stay)

  • No visa under 9090 days; passport valid 11 month beyond stay; guard against petty theft.