Macau Travel Guide
Macau Travel Guide
1. A Quick Overview of Macao’s Humanities and History
As the only city in China that integrates European style, Macau’s more than 400 years of Portuguese colonial history has created a unique "combination of Chinese and Western" culture. After the handover in 1999, Macau has retained a large number of historical buildings, with 22 historical sites listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site ("Historic Center of Macau"). Portuguese cobblestone roads, Baroque churches and Chinese temples coexist harmoniously on the streets, making it an "open-air museum".
2. Must-see attractions and popular check-in spots
1. World Heritage Highlights
Ruins of St. Paul's: the ruins of St. Paul's Church, a landmark of Macau. There are few people in the early morning or evening, and the Love Lane on the side is a great photo spot.
A-Ma Temple: A 500-year-old faith center for fishermen, it is very popular and has a Portuguese Maritime Culture Exhibition Hall nearby.
Rosary Church: A pale yellow Baroque church housing Catholic relics and holding concerts on weekends.
2. Modern wonders
Macau Tower: 233-meter-high aerial walk, bungee jump (the world's highest commercial bungee jump), and panoramic views from the 58th floor observation deck.
The Venetian Macao: Take a gondola through the canals, check in at the replica of St. Mark's Square, a shopping paradise.
3. Internet celebrity check-in spots
Coloane Island: Colorful houses, Andrew's Bakery main store, and October Fifth Road, a must-visit for this artistic and fresh place.
Love Lane: candy-colored buildings + Ruins of St. Paul’s background, a holy place for couples to take photos.
Guia Lighthouse: The highest point in Macau, overlooking the peninsula and the Pearl River Estuary, the sunset is absolutely beautiful.
3. Traffic Guide
1. External arrival
Airplane: Macau International Airport, 15 minutes’ drive from the city.
Waterway: Take a boat from Shenzhen Shekou/Zhuhai Jiuzhou Port to Macau Taipa/Outer Harbor Terminal.
By land: Walk through the Zhuhai Gongbei/Hengqin Port, 24-hour customs clearance (Hengqin Port).
2. Internal transportation
Free shuttle bus: major hotels provide shuttle buses from the airport/pier to the hotel (such as the Venetian and Wynn).
Public transport: 6 MOP/trip, supports Macau Pass (available at convenience stores), routes cover the entire city.
Light Rail: Taipa Loop Line, passing through the airport and Cotai resort.
Taxi: Starting from MOP19, some attractions require calling
4. Food Map: From Michelin to Street Stalls
1. Portuguese cuisine and classic snacks
Portuguese chicken: Recommended [Boathouse Portuguese Restaurant] (reservations required).
Andrew/Margaret Egg Tarts: The crust of Andrew’s main store in Coloane is crispier, while the recipe of Margaret (Peninsula) is sweeter.
Pork chop bun: [Dali Lai Ji] Limited edition daily, pineapple bun with charcoal grilled pork chop.
Crab porridge: [Chengchang Restaurant] The crab roe is melted into the porridge base, which is fresh and fragrant.
2. Street Style
Beef offal: Ming Kee Beef Offal (from a push cart stall on San Ma Lu) is flavored with curry sauce.
Almond biscuits: Juji’s souvenirs are best freshly baked, and [the most fragrant bakery] is a time-honored charcoal-fired bakery.
Sawdust pudding: Yishun Dairy Company, with a smooth texture like ice cream.
3. High-end experience
Tianchao French Restaurant (Grand Lisboa): Michelin three stars, overlooking the panoramic view of Macau.
8 Restaurant (Grand Lisboa): Michelin three-star Cantonese cuisine, with stunning goldfish dumplings.
5. Accommodation recommendation: luxury and uniqueness
Luxury options: Wynn Palace (cable car access to the hotel), Morpheus (futuristic building designed by Zaha Hadid).
Value-for-money options: Hotel Lisboa (historic landmark), Grand Coloane Resort (next to the black sand beach).
Niche experiences: Coloane "Macau Inn" (B&B), "Po Zai Wu" Art Space (old Portuguese house).
6. Niche In-depth Experience
Jiu'ao Village: Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Chapel + Abandoned Leprosy Hospital, Secret Ruins Adventure.
Fengtang Alley: Portuguese-style buildings, local art exhibitions and creative markets.
Taipa Portuguese Style: Mint green Portuguese house museum, bird watching in the lakeside wetland.
Grand Prix Museum: F3 racing simulator, a great place for parent-child interaction.
7. Practical Tips
Best season: October to December (cool and less rainy), avoid the typhoon season (June to September).
Currency: Macau Pataca (MOP) is commonly used. It is not cost-effective to use Hong Kong Dollar at a 1:1 ratio. QR code payment is popular.
Language: Mainly Cantonese, Mandarin + English are fluent.
Safety: The public security is excellent and you can travel without worries at night.
Internet: Purchase a "Macao Telecom" prepaid card, or activate a roaming package from a mainland operator.
Etiquette: Noise is prohibited in temples, shorts and slippers are prohibited in churches, and restaurants generally charge a 10% service charge.
Although Macau is small, it combines world-class luxury, the bustling atmosphere of the market and the weight of history. Whether it is a two-day and one-night flash mob or an in-depth exploration, this place always brings surprises. 🎆