Da Xia's View | Must-Try Macau Cuisine and Instagrammable Hotspots

📍 Macau · 👁 2 reads · ❤️ 38 likes

Before visiting Macau, my impression of Macau largely came from 1990s Hong Kong and Macau films, starring Chen Tingwei, Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau, Stephen Chow... mottled, leaping, bizarre. Everyone knows Macau is the 'Las Vegas of the East,' dazzling and hedonistic. But after visiting, I discovered Macau is not just dazzling lights; it also has profound history and culture, beautiful Sino-Western architecture, renowned universities, and numerous museums, libraries, science centers, and world cuisines. No wonder people call it a beautiful city of a thousand faces.

As usual, first a preview, to see if this Macau will stir your heart?

Macau is a city where old and new, East and West coexist. Modern glass-façade buildings and ornate-curved-eaves structures blend seamlessly in this bustling city—this is its unique charm, and what draws me.

Step into the real Macau; it's not just the colorful world from Hong Kong and Macau films, but also low-key, tranquil hues, containing an indescribable depth and the breath of everyday life.

Many see Macau as a forest of towering skyscrapers—modern, stylish, and glamorous. But for the real daily life of Macau's residents, there are many such buildings, and many old streets full of life's atmosphere.

Few can resist the lure of speed and passion, and few can resist the lure of the Macau Grand Prix.

Macau's cuisine, impossible to fully describe in just a few days. It's hard to imagine that in this tiny place, world cuisines gather, from street stalls to Michelin three-star restaurants, from small eateries to grand banquets. The allure of Macau's food needs to be discovered with your heart.

A century-old colony, still very Chinese.

Blending ancient simplicity with modernity, from the Guia Fortress Lighthouse to the Galaxy and City of Dreams in Taipa, from the Portuguese Language Festival to the Macau Grand Prix and Macau Food Festival, from the Ruins of St. Paul's to The Parisian and The Venetian, the city's diversity and inclusiveness are fully displayed.

The dazzling lights of teamLab SuperNature witness the city's youth, rapid change, and keeping pace with the times.

Hi, I'm Da Xia, a photographer who loves food and fitness. Or you can call me a muscle man delayed by food, or a foodie delayed by fitness.

Note: Taking photos is not easy, writing is even harder. Any form of text or image theft is strictly prohibited.

After returning from Macau, many friends have sent private messages expressing concern and asking: Can we travel to Macau now? Do we need to quarantine after coming back from Macau? Is it safe to travel to Macau? What procedures are needed to go to Macau? Here, based on my four-day three-night personal experience in Macau, I can responsibly say that traveling to Macau now is really safe.

During my stay in Macau, hotel check-ins and sightseeing all required presenting the Macau Health Code and temperature checks, and wearing a mask was mandatory. Especially when watching the car races, staff would constantly remind everyone to wear masks throughout, ensuring a safe viewing environment and a worry-free experience.

The first stop on my Macau trip: the Ruins of St. Paul's. The façade blends European Renaissance and Oriental architectural styles, reflecting the fusion of Eastern and Western art, with exquisite carvings and majestic grandeur. Whether it's the towering cross on top, the Holy Child statue below the bronze dove, or the Madonna figure surrounded by angels and flowers, all are filled with a strong religious atmosphere, offering aesthetic pleasure. The statues on the façade are lifelike, worthy of being called a 'three-dimensional Bible.'

Over 400 years ago, the Portuguese seized Macau and brought Catholicism. In 1562, after several years, they built this church, originally named 'Church of St. Paul,' whose pronunciation in Cantonese is close to 'Sam Ba,' hence also called 'Sam Ba Church.' The church was later destroyed twice by fire. In 1602, it was rebuilt, taking 35 years to complete in 1637. Another fire in 1835 burned the church down, leaving only the front wall that cost 30,000 taels of silver, which is today's Ruins of St. Paul's.

The Ruins of St. Paul's were inscribed as a World Heritage Site in July 2005, becoming China's 31st World Heritage site.

To the left of the Ruins is a small European-style lane called Love Lane (Travessa da Paixão), one of the popular photo spots for capturing the Ruins. The lane is about 50 meters long, lined with Portuguese-style buildings full of character. Many couples like to take pictures with the street sign and wedding photos here, hence the name. There's also a museum along the lane, free to enter without a ticket; don't miss it if time allows.

I purposely scheduled my Macau trip during the Macau Grand Prix to experience the speed and passion firsthand. The Macau Grand Prix is one of the world's oldest street circuit races and the only event that combines car and motorcycle races. With high-speed straights and tight, twisting turns, the narrowest part of the track is just 7 meters, making it recognized as one of the most challenging circuits in the world.

The Macau Grand Prix has been held for 67 editions by this year, taking place on the third Thursday to Sunday of November, roughly mid-to-late November. There are multiple viewing points in Macau. Before coming, I booked my ticket online for November 21, choosing the Lisboa Bend Stand, from where you can also see the landmark Lisboa Hotel.

Watching the race live is a completely different experience from watching on TV. You can hear the roar of engines from afar, instantly pumping adrenaline. The cars pass the Lisboa Bend in a flash, but you can clearly see the drivers' superb cornering skills, so smooth it's exhilarating and prompts spontaneous applause.

The 'Guia Circuit' is named because it circles Guia Hill, featuring many sharp bends and slopes, with the narrowest part only 7 meters wide, earning its reputation as one of the world's most challenging city circuits. This year's Macau Grand Prix featured five exciting events: the Macau Formula 4 Grand Prix, Macau GT Cup, Macau Guia Race, Macau Touring Car Cup, and Greater Bay Area GT Cup.

The 6.2-kilometer Guia Circuit fully displays speed and passion. Sitting in the stands, listening to live commentary and watching the big screen track the entire circuit, the crowd occasionally bursts into amazed applause.

The day's events run from morning to evening, 7 AM to 6 PM, so upon entry you're given a wristband. With the wristband and ticket, you can re-enter the stands unlimited times that day—very considerate.

The final highlight, the Formula 4 race, was won by Macau driver Charles Leong.

The 67th Macau Grand Prix concluded on November 22, attracting 50,000 spectators over three days. Reportedly, Chinese drivers dominated the top three, filling us with pride.

Strict anti-epidemic measures were in place: Macau Health Code checks and temperature screenings at entry, masks mandatory throughout, with staff ensuring spectators stayed seated and leaving one seat empty between every two, guaranteeing a safe environment for all participants, staff, and spectators.

Currently, the 'Enjoy Macau Carnival' is underway. From November, a series of events have kicked off across districts: not only the 67th Macau Grand Prix and related activities, but also the 3rd Macau Winter Carnival, the 20th Macau Food Festival, and the Holland Village Festival, among others.

My trip coincided with the 20th Macau Food Festival, one of the first large-scale events after Macau's COVID-19 situation stabilized, a global culinary feast. If you're around, don't miss it.

The 20th Macau Food Festival runs from November 13 to 29 at the Macau Fisherman's Wharf Square, in front of the landmark Macau Tower.

Monday to Thursday: 5 PM to 11 PM daily

Friday to Sunday: 3 PM to midnight daily

The festival invited nearly 100 local Macau specialty food vendors, featuring five food streets: Chinese Banquet Street, Continental Gourmet Street, Asian Food Street, Local Delights Street, and Dessert Street. The basement of the Fisherman's Wharf has a Japanese Food Street—truly a global culinary event.

Honestly, I've attended countless food festivals, but the Macau Food Festival is the largest and most popular I've ever seen. Visited on a Sunday, from 3 PM onward it was packed, and by evening it was jammed, mostly with locals. The dining area was full—testament to its popularity.

Long queues formed at the Asian Food Street; Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Indian, Singaporean cuisines were all hits. Unable to travel abroad due to the pandemic, you can still sample representative dishes from various countries here—instant bliss.

The Dessert Street, a favorite with young people, offered every imaginable dessert plus creative new treats—irresistible.

The food festival not only gathers world cuisines but also offers many family-friendly entertainments. Dozens of children's activities are a hit with kids, giving parents a break. Enjoy food and fun—a rewarding experience.

Despite the crowds, everyone conscientiously wore masks in the food streets, only removing them in the dining area, collectively creating a safe environment, which was heartening.

Indian flying pancakes with flavors like scallion oil, banana, durian, mango, and pineapple were extremely popular.

From the festival, you could feel the richness and diversity of Macau's cuisine, rooted in its unique geography, history, cultural inclusiveness, and warm people. The longer I stayed, the more I fell in love with the city.

This 17-day food carnival not only lets visitors experience Macau's diverse culinary culture but also features live performances, lucky draws—a lively scene.

Food festival transport tips:

Four free shuttle buses for convenience:

1) Nam Van International Square – Fisherman's Wharf Square

2) Hac Sa Wan Market Street – Fisherman's Wharf Square

3) Taipa Central Park – Fisherman's Wharf Square

4) Border Gate (left of immigration hall) – Fisherman's Wharf Square

The bungee jump at Macau Tower is considered one of the world's most thrilling. If time and budget allow, don't miss it.

Near the tower, the scenic Nam Van Lake and Sai Van Lake are quiet, with locals jogging and rowing daily—a beautiful city sight.

Macau's Historic Centre is the oldest, largest, most complete, and concentrated ensemble of Eastern and Western architectural coexistence in China, including the oldest church ruins and monastery, the oldest Christian cemetery, the oldest Western fort, the first Western-style theatre, the first modern lighthouse, and the first Western-style university. As the first European foothold in East Asia, it bears witness to over 400 years of Sino-Western cultural exchange and coexistence.

For a city with a 400-500-year history, it's the hidden alleys and lanes beneath its glamorous exterior, those buildings without neon lights yet standing through centuries of history, that truly captivate me.

Senado Square, located in central Macau Peninsula, is one of Macau's four major squares. It connects to St. Dominic's Square in the north, faces Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro in the south, forming a narrow triangle. The European-style buildings here make many visitors feel like they're in a small European town, making it a must-visit spot for photos.

In fact, such European-style architecture is everywhere in Macau: the Western classical Leal Senado and General Post Office buildings, the Islamic-style Maritime Administration Building, the Neoclassical Holy House of Mercy and Dom Pedro V Theatre, the eclectic Macau Central Library, the Portuguese classical Government House, the Portuguese colonial Consulate-General of Portugal in Macau and Macau Conservatory, and the Art Deco Red Market building, etc.

Christmas is approaching. If you missed the Grand Prix or the Food Festival, December in Macau with its festive Christmas and New Year atmosphere is also wonderful.

From Senado Square to Rua da Felicidade is just a few minutes' walk, yet the architectural styles differ vastly. The strong classical Chinese charm makes it another photo hotspot for visitors.

Old Chinese residential buildings in Macau come in two forms: courtyard-style with brick-carved gates and double-pantile roof (e.g., the Mandarin's House), and row-style bamboo-shaped shops with green-tiled roofs, rectangular, connected by load-bearing walls. Rua da Felicidade is the latter.

From November, a series of events kick off across districts: the 67th Macau Grand Prix, the 3rd Macau Winter Carnival, the 20th Macau Food Festival, the Holland Village Festival, and more.

At the Macau Winter Carnival, it feels like arriving at the polar ice caps. Though Macau never sees snow, residents can now enjoy winter fun here—a unique experience.

Hard to imagine a winterless city, yet here you are so close to winter. Kids are having a blast at the carnival.

My trip fell on a weekend, so I specially visited the Tap Seac Art and Craft Fair in Holland Village. This creative market showcases local artists' works, only on Saturdays and Sundays. Trust me, it won't disappoint.

There are also live performances at the fair; after browsing stalls, sitting down to enjoy a show is great.

Macau Fisherman's Wharf is Macau's first theme park and a shopping complex styled after European and American counterparts. The concept originates from Europe and America, representing nostalgic leisure. It's not just an entertainment venue but a comprehensive paradise. Shops line the area, with Lan Kwai Fong-style and European restaurants and bars. A hotel will be added later, integrating various elements like a small city.

The Roman Amphitheatre, especially popular with Chinese tourists, gives a 'pretend you're in Rome' vibe.

When I visited Macau Fisherman's Wharf, I stumbled upon a 'Track and Passion' car exhibition. Not only could you see real racing cars and supercars up close, but also watch drifting cars, experience e-racing, etc. Truly, better to be lucky than early.

Macau Fisherman's Wharf spans a large area with multiple thematic zones, plus a scenic seaside—great for both leisure and photos.

Not far from the Fisherman's Wharf is the Instagram-famous Macau Science Center. If time permits, don't miss it; every snap is like a mirror-of-the-sky blockbuster shot.

The last stop: teamLab SuperNature Macao. This exhibition is dubbed a global must-see, originating in Japan and traveling to Paris, London, Singapore, and Chinese cities since 2016, but usually as short-term shows. In Macau, it's a permanent museum, making it a must-visit.

teamLab SuperNature is housed in the Venetian Macao Cotai Expo Hall F, the world's fourth permanent teamLab museum and the tallest, with over 5,000 square meters of space and 8-meter ceilings, creating an incredibly immersive world of light and shadow!

It brings together many popular works, including the time-changing 'Valley of Flowers and People: Lost, Immersed and Reborn,' 'Universe of Water Particles,' 'Animals of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives II,' and 'Reversible Rotation – Non-Objective Space,' plus 'Sketch Aquarium' and more, forming vast spaces that invite exploration of the relationship between humans, nature, and new perceptions of the world.

Beyond the immersive experience itself, it's a fantastic spot for photos, every snap an Instagram hit—but remember, no flash!

teamLab is very close to the must-visit Macau Eiffel Tower at The Parisian. Whether day or night, it exudes romantic Parisian charm, making you linger and reluctant to leave.

Travelogue Index

1. A Century-Old Colony, Still Very Chinese

2. Macau Travel Tips

3. Macau Landmark: Ruins of St. Paul's

4. Experience Speed and Passion at the Grand Prix

5. Macau Food Festival: A World Culinary Feast

6. From European Town to Chinese Old Streets

7. From Winter Carnival to Creative Markets

8. Track and Passion at Fisherman's Wharf

9. Immerse in teamLab SuperNature

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