Macau Reopens Borders and Resumes Visas: Mom Says, Come Play Like This!
I’ve always thought that words like 'colorful' and 'golden splendor' perfectly describe Macau—it’s such a paradise for vacation and fun. Everyone comes to Macau with their own way of playing. For foodies, it’s a culinary heaven; for thrill-seekers, the Macau Tower is a global extreme sports haven. For history and culture enthusiasts, the Historic Center of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage site, includes 25 historic districts and old buildings. And for hotel aficionados, dozens of luxury hotels in Macau are annual pilgrimage destinations.
Due to the pandemic this year, Macau closed its borders. After six months, on August 26, Guangdong Province resumed issuing travel permits for local residents to visit Macau. Mom was invited by the Grand Lisboa Hotel to experience it firsthand.
When we crossed the border, it wasn’t too crowded but very orderly. Inbound travelers must hold valid travel documents, a negative nucleic acid test result within 7 days, or a 'health code' containing that information. Within an hour, we arrived in Macau. The Grand Lisboa Hotel had a dedicated shuttle bus to pick up guests. Looking out the window, the streets weren’t crowded, but it still felt familiar—the same Macau Mom knows.
**Fun in Macau: Hotels**
The Grand Lisboa stands 258 meters tall, the second tallest building in Macau. It resembles a blooming golden lotus, especially striking at night with its dazzling lights.
Transportation is key to travel, and Grand Lisboa’s location is excellent. Walking (Bus 11) takes you directly to the Macau Tower for bungee jumping, to Ruins of St. Paul’s, and the must-visit Rua do Cunha for souvenirs is within 5 km. It’s just 1.8 km from the Macau Heliport, and 20 minutes to Macau International Airport.
Having visited Macau many times, five-star hotels here are always extravagantly luxurious. But the most extravagant of all is Grand Lisboa. The lobby, as the face of the hotel, features a bronze statue of founder Dr. Stanley Ho. Say cheese for a photo!
One of the late Dr. Ho’s hobbies was jewelry collecting. The Grand Lisboa houses the 'Stanley Ho Diamond,' which he acquired for over $100 million in 2007. It’s said to be the world’s largest cushion-cut diamond, D-color, flawless, weighing 218.08 carats, symbolizing peace of mind. Who doesn’t love diamonds? Diamond fans, remember to snap plenty of photos!
Honestly, looking at Dr. Ho’s life, one of his great achievements was bringing overseas artifacts back home. Grand Lisboa itself has a museum-like quality, with treasures everywhere, plus its diverse dining and entertainment facilities. You can have plenty of fun without leaving the hotel.
**Fun in Macau: Guest Rooms**
Grand Lisboa is officially recognized as a reassuring star-rated hotel. It has 430 rooms, and during these special times, cleanliness is impeccable. Upon check-in, we received a complimentary face mask holder—so thoughtful! This time Mom chose a deluxe room on the 20th floor. Look at this view! Macau, long time no see—missed you so much!
The bathroom is excellent, with a steam room and a large bathtub with multi-directional massage functions, reportedly in all rooms. Imagine gazing at the night view through the huge window while enjoying a spa—blissful.
Hermès toiletries are provided, making the room rate incredibly cost-effective. Amazing! P.S. If you don’t use them all, pack them up—don’t waste them!
After dropping off our luggage, we headed to the outdoor pool. It’s spacious, and any photo looks great. The water quality was excellent—I swam for over an hour!
Free shuttle buses from the Gongbei and Hengqin checkpoints go directly to Grand Lisboa. After exiting customs, just follow the signs held by hotel staff.
**Fun in Macau: Dining**
**Robuchon au Dôme**
On the 43rd floor of Grand Lisboa is one of its flagship restaurants, Robuchon au Dôme, Mom’s top priority. A dedicated elevator goes directly to the restaurant. Window seats offer panoramic views of Macau’s skyline.
Upon entering, you’ll see a ridiculously luxurious chandelier made of 131,500 Swarovski crystals, centered above a historic piano. It sparkles brilliantly, and Mom couldn’t stop taking photos. P.S. It’s even more beautiful at night!
Professional waiters attend to every need, carefully inquiring about dietary restrictions and allergies. The service is almost over-the-top, and the restaurant has held three Michelin stars for 12 consecutive years.
Look at this wine wall—it holds over 500,000 bottles from around the world. A sommelier is on hand to explain wine culture and knowledge.
Getting a reservation at Robuchon au Dôme isn’t easy; you must book in advance. The menu is designed by the legendary chef Joël Robuchon. Fortunately, lunch is served as set menus ranging from MOP 998 to 1,398, reasonably priced. Mom was lucky this time.
Bread is baked fresh daily.
In French restaurants, bread is always paired with butter—plain or salted. The bread at Robuchon au Dôme is consistently excellent, often the culprit for ruining appetites for the main course.
**King Crab with Caviar and Seafood Jelly**
Even with trypophobia, this dish is irresistible. This signature dish is so delicate you’d hate to eat it. The aspic is full of umami, and the small white pearls are cauliflower purée with a rich milky flavor. Caviar and crab meat pair perfectly, creating layers of texture.
**Pan-Seared French Cod with Malabar Pepper Sauce and Coconut Foam**
The cod is seared to a slight crisp on the outside, while the inside remains tender and sweet. The sauce is rich but not greasy.
Mom also enjoyed these dishes!
**The Eight**
Mom’s dinner was at The Eight, which serves Chinese cuisine. The Eight, opened in 2007, earned its first Michelin star in 2009 for Hong Kong and Macau. It is now the only Chinese restaurant in Macau to hold three Michelin stars for seven consecutive years. It also received a 2020 Black Pearl one-diamond rating.
The restaurant’s color scheme is red and black, giving a dignified feel. The number 8 and goldfish motifs are everywhere, switching between solemnity and playfulness—very interesting.
The head chef is Chef Xie Jinsong, with nearly 50 years of experience. The lunch menu features creative dim sum at affordable prices, with over 40 choices. The Chinese menu offers more than 150 dishes, and the wine list includes over 17,000 labels.
**Honey-Glazed Black Pork Char Siu with Pan-Seared Australian Scallops**
A dish with three flavors, blending Chinese and Western elements. Each component is handled separately, with distinct tastes. The black pork char siu is intensely flavorful, the more you chew, the more it releases its sweetness—one piece is never enough, hehe!
**Steamed Coral Grouper with Garlic and Jade Snow Pea**
The coral grouper is enhanced by crispy fermented black beans and garlic, served with a light sauce. The freshness dances on my tongue!
Other dishes worth trying include...
**Don Alfonso 1890**
During the holidays, parents who love Italian cuisine and are traveling with kids should check out Don Alfonso 1890, renovated in 2017. It specializes in traditional southern Italian dishes from the Sorrento Peninsula and Amalfi Coast, passed down for thousands of years.
Italian meals aren’t complete without pizza. Chef Maurizio, with 10 years of pizza-making experience, crafts authentic Neapolitan pizzas at Don Alfonso 1890. Mom was lucky to watch the whole process and picked up some tips.
Chef Maurizio’s movements are swift as he slides the pizza into a stone oven heated to 1000°C. He expertly judges doneness by the surface and gives it a final check before serving—meticulous!
Neapolitan pizza, the original pizza, was officially added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December 2017. Compared to American-style pizza, Italian pizza looks simpler, but Mom was instantly won over. Rich but not greasy cheese, tangy tomato sauce, fragrant basil, and a crispy crust—chewing was simply indescribably delicious.
Besides these upscale Michelin-starred restaurants, Mom will now share a few different styles that offer great value and down-to-earth cuisine, showing a more accessible side of Grand Lisboa.
During our three-day, two-night Macau trip, Mom automatically visited the 24-hour Café de Nuit et de Jour for afternoon tea, where Japanese pastry chef Norihito Muranaka is in charge. Mom loves the coffee and pastries here—the Macau specialty, Serradura (wood cake), is a must-try!
In addition to pastries and coffee, Café de Nuit et de Jour serves Portuguese specialties, Chinese dim sum, and Cantonese roasted meats. No matter your preferences or pickiness, your stomach will be well taken care of.
The café also has a congee and noodle section, also open 24 hours, with an ancient-style décor that gives a sense of time travel.
The congee and noodle section focuses on what’s known as 'China’s new four great inventions—congee, noodles, rice, and noodles' to satisfy foodies. A professional tea master is also on hand to brew Kung Fu tea for tea lovers. What a treasure—Mom is impressed.
I highly recommend ordering 'One Noodle.' The chef pulls and cooks the noodle to order in a semi-open kitchen. The entire bowl contains just one noodle, 21 meters long, offering a dual visual and taste experience. Don’t forget to show it off on social media!
Besides the one noodle, Mom enjoyed a water crab congee here that rivals the renowned old shops on Rua do Cunha. She had it for afternoon tea and ordered another portion as a midnight snack.
The entertainment area of Grand Lisboa also hides many delicacies. For example, the Crystal Lounge on the first floor offers pineapple buns, instant noodles with eggs and ham, and roasted meat rice bowls—all comparable to local street food, available 24 hours!
If you want a place for a drink, recommend the Stage Bar on the first floor. Watch a performance by the Parisian Crazy Horse Show, which has been entertaining in Macau for 40 years, blending elegance and sensuality. Order a couple of beautifully presented and delicious cocktails for an amazing Macau night.
**Grand Lisboa Entertainment Facilities**
When traveling, you’ll likely rack up thousands of steps a day, leading to sore muscles. You need a place to relax. Head to the Grand Lisboa Spa on the fifth floor—beauty-loving ladies, go for it!
**Grand Lisboa Spa**
Rated five stars by Forbes Travel Guide, the Grand Lisboa Spa has 11 spa suites, with professional massage therapists and beauticians.
I recommend the 60-minute Grand Lisboa Signature Massage. Unlike traditional Chinese or Thai massage techniques, the therapist uses aromatherapy oils and Swedish massage techniques to skillfully work on my spine and acupressure points, relieving lower back and neck tension. It actually put me to sleep!
**Fun in Macau: Surrounding Attractions**
Macau is a city that never sleeps. Mom, having a blast at Grand Lisboa, still took time to explore outside. After months of border closure due to the pandemic, strolling through this administrative region blending Chinese and Portuguese architecture felt very familiar.
During the day, Ruins of St. Paul’s is packed with people; at night, it has a different romantic charm. Although Macau’s tourist numbers are still low, I believe with time, as the pandemic subsides, Macau will fully regain its former prosperity.
**Fun in Macau: Visas**
Mom has prepared a detailed visa and travel guide for you. Follow the steps and you’ll be fine.
Currently, Macau visas cannot be processed via self-service kiosks. Residents of Guangzhou can use the WeChat mini-program 'Guangzhou Public Security' to make a visa appointment. Remember to visit the immigration counter at least seven days in advance.
**Fun in Macau: Nucleic Acid Testing**
To enter Macau, besides a valid visa, you need a paper nucleic acid test report conducted within 24 hours. You can make an appointment through the 'Guangzhou Local Treasure' WeChat public account to find accredited medical institutions. The test doesn’t require fasting, costs start at 65 RMB, and results come out in 24 hours, simultaneously uploaded to the Yuekang Code. The electronic result is pushed to your phone, but for travel to Macau, you need a printed report from the hospital with the hospital’s stamp; otherwise, it may not be accepted. The report is valid for 7 days—calculate your travel dates accordingly!
Tip: Search for 'nucleic acid test' on Guangzhou Local Treasure to make an appointment.
With this comprehensive Macau reopening guide compiled by Mom, take action during the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday. Form a team and go celebrate in Macau!
