Experiencing Macau’s Cultural Journey: Recalling an Unforgettable Independent Trip

📍 Macau · 👁 7592 reads · ❤️ 28 likes

As an international city, Macau’s multifaceted nature fills one with anticipation. Before departing for Macau, my bestie and I specially researched information about local hotels. After careful screening, we found that the Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, Conrad Macao, Sheraton Grand Macao, and The St. Regis Macao all have excellent reputations. The Venetian Macao, in particular, as a renowned luxury hotel in Macau, attracts countless visitors from afar to check in! How could we miss such a tempting hotel?

The Venetian Macao features Italian architectural style. The exterior is not a single color but a mix of several shades, giving a clean and comfortable visual impression that caught my eye from afar. The surroundings are also lovely, such as the artificial outdoor lake, where gentle ripples dance with the breeze, creating a pleasant and beautiful scene.

The lobby of The Venetian Macao can be described as magnificent and grand. European artistic touches are everywhere. For those who haven’t been abroad, come directly to The Venetian Macao to experience the splendor of a European palace! Let me share a few beautiful shots of the lobby so you can see for yourselves~

After checking in, the hotel staff led us to our suite, introducing some hotel information along the way. The service was exceptionally attentive. The hotel is truly huge, with more than one two-way escalator. Luckily, the crowd wasn’t too heavy when we arrived, or our photos would have been full of people!

The Venetian Macao offers various room types: the family-friendly Bella Suite, the Royal Suite suitable for business or solo travelers, and the luxurious Bella Suite perfect for a girls’ trip like ours. In short, this hotel caters to all accommodation needs!

Notably, when we booked our rooms, Sands Macau was running a hotel stay promotion: book two days in advance for a 20% discount, and stay two consecutive nights for a 30% discount – truly a rock-bottom price! Friends planning a trip to Macau soon, check the hotel’s official website for details!

The luxurious Bella Suite has two king-size beds, easily accommodating four people. The railing neatly divides the living room and bedroom, making the space feel even larger! The living room is fully furnished with plenty of natural light, giving it a homey feel! The entire room is dominated by pure white, creating a very comfortable visual experience. I absolutely love the bathroom mirror – its vintage frame is my favorite style, and the wall lamps are delicate and charming.

If you travel without taking photos, you might as well have not gone! The Starlight Bridge perfectly satisfied my girly heart. Walking here, a photo session was a must!

We wandered around the hotel for a long time without getting lost, thanks to the Sands Indoor Navigation App. With it, we could go anywhere without losing our way and plan our routes in advance, saving lots of time!

Words can barely describe the beauty of the Grand Canal Shoppes. The endless blue sky and white clouds evoke a sense of peaceful times. The entire Grand Canal Shoppes is like a replica of Venice, with three canals flowing gently. If you get a chance, be sure to take a gondola ride – the gondolier will even sing lovely songs for you! Oh, and a great tip: spend MOP 250 or more at the shopping center, and you get a free gondola ticket, plus five hours of free parking!

Women are born shopaholics – there’s nothing we don’t want to buy, only what we can’t afford, haha! Facing the Grand Canal Shoppes, my bestie and I felt like we met our match! Even two inveterate shoppers like us were conquered by it. Let me recommend a few favorite stores: first is Adidas Originals. I’ve always worn their shoes – classic style, comfortable fit. They’re also running a promotion: buy any regular-priced Adidas shoes or apparel to get 40% off for three items and 20% off for two (excluding designated items) – a real steal!

Besides shoes, Adidas t-shirts are super stylish too – a simple tee can give a very different look! Next, Yali Duty Free is a must-visit. Not only do they have discounts on beauty and skincare products, but sunglasses are also on sale. In summer, you need cool shades to fight UV rays. My bestie and I tried many pairs and each bought one – so satisfying!

Chocoolate, at Shop 614 on the 3rd floor of The Venetian Shoppes, is having a big sale: 40% off on three items for specified products. Both men’s and women’s styles are great with vibrant colors. The t-shirts, in particular, feel high-quality and have trendy cuts. Best of all, the after-discount prices are super affordable! Besides buying t-shirts for myself, I also got two for my sister in college. Their clothes really suit lively young girls, making them look youthful and energetic!

The Shoppes at Sands Macau include several duty-free shops. While strolling through Four Seasons Shops, we spotted a DFS on the first floor. We had already bought quite a bit, but when we saw the prices – trust me, ladies, DFS will pleasantly surprise you! A dazzling array of beauty and skincare brands – currently, selected beauty products and perfumes are up to 50% off, with no specific end date yet. If you love makeup, be sure to stock up in Macau!

Finally got my hands on this long-admired Armani Red Lipstick – so happy! Girls need to keep their skin hydrated, especially those with dry skin – don’t skimp on skincare. Brands like Anessa, Kiehl’s, Lancôme, and many more are available here – great selection and surprisingly wonderful prices!

Before we came, my bestie said Macau’s historical and cultural sites are fantastic. As an artistic soul, she naturally couldn’t miss them. What else could I do but indulge her? So we headed to the Ruins of St. Paul’s – one of Macau’s famous landmarks. From the hotel, you can take a bus then transfer to a public bus – simple and convenient. The Ruins of St. Paul’s is a remnant facade full of historical charm.

There were so many people! Every photo had strangers in the background, but it was lively! The yellow European-style church building nearby is also great for photos. We circled it and finally found a less crowded spot for a solo shot.

We successfully checked in at Century Coffee for milk tea and a pork chop bun. The smooth milk tea was really good – one sip left a lasting aftertaste. A tip: they only take cash, so it’s best to bring some paper money.

Macau Fisherman’s Wharf features magnificent ancient Roman architecture – every photo looks like a movie scene. Besides the replica Colosseum, there are various shops and restaurants, so you can eat, drink, and shop without missing a beat. It’s also easy to get here from The Venetian Macao – just take the hotel’s free shuttle bus, which is economical and convenient.

Photography is never too late. I just stood there casually, and my bestie captured some really evocative shots. With such a powerful backdrop, there are no bad photos.

There’s also a convention and exhibition center, which doubles as a small shopping area. Wandering through the buildings of Fisherman’s Wharf felt like being transported to ancient Rome – everything looked like a movie.

The area is large and not too crowded. The only downside was the strong sun that day. Summer is here, so everyone should remember sun protection – especially sisters like me who love wearing dresses; always carry sunscreen spray!

Having experienced the luxury of The Venetian Macao and visited Macau’s historic sites, this trip left no regrets. Finally, I want to share that the nighttime view from The Venetian Macao is stunning. My bestie and I spent almost every evening by the window, chatting and snacking – it was wonderful! After this trip, I feel recharged. Back to daily life, I must work hard and live well! Once my wallet recovers, I’ll come back to Macau, spend ten days or two weeks, and immerse myself in the local life before returning!

Travel diary index:

1. Hello, The Venetian Macao

2. Starlight Bridge and Grand Canal Shoppes

3. Shopping frenzy

4. Ruins of St. Paul’s, Rua do Cunha, and Macau Fisherman’s Wharf