New Ways to Explore Macau Now That Quarantine Is Lifted
Day 1: Border Crossing and Check-in
How is Macau after the pandemic? On this trip, I discovered that Macau has many new ways to enjoy itself—let me unlock them one by one! You might not know, but you can now visit Macau worry-free! Macau has had no new COVID-19 cases for over 200 days, making it a very safe travel destination.
Before going to Macau, you need to take a nucleic acid test a day or two in advance. Usually, you can get the result on the same day or the next afternoon. The test result is valid for seven days, and must cover your stay in Macau. Also, check that the Macau endorsement on your Hong Kong and Macau Travel Permit is still valid.
When crossing from Zhuhai, you can choose the Gongbei or Hengqin checkpoint. Before crossing, use your phone to scan the QR code and complete the customs health declaration form. When exiting mainland China, scan the green Yuekang Code; when entering Macau, you need to scan the Macau Health Code again and present your negative nucleic acid test report. The crossing takes about 20 minutes.
After crossing the border, on the left side of the checkpoint, there are free hotel shuttle buses. We booked The Parisian Macao this time. We took the hotel’s free shuttle to The Parisian. The lobby is grand yet elegant. There's a temperature scanner at the entrance, and all staff wear masks. During check-in, floor markings indicate a one-meter queuing distance, and free alcohol hand sanitizer is on the counter, showing strict epidemic prevention measures. In our warm white-toned hotel suite, a lovely welcome snack was prepared, and right outside the window was the Eiffel Tower.
Day 2: Experiencing the Macau Grand Prix Live
As soon as you arrive in Macau, you become a racing fan! During these days in Macau, the whole city is feverish with racing; you can hear the wild roar of race cars at any time. The Macau Grand Prix takes place every November, and this year was the 67th edition. Racers come from all over the world, making it an annual feast for motorsport fans.
The day's events run from around 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with different races at different times. Online ticket orders can be scanned for self-service retrieval. Upon entry, staff will put a wristband on you, allowing you to come and go freely throughout the day.
The reservoir stand has no sun or rain shelter, and tickets don’t assign fixed seats, so you can choose any spot after entering. Sitting in the stands felt very safe; staff had put in place various safety measures well in advance, and everyone had to wear a mask to enter. Across from the stands, a big screen broadcasted the racing on other parts of the track, so you could clearly see the turns, overtaking, crashes, and more. As the racing became more and more exciting, adrenaline surged, and the crowd in the stands could not help but cheer.
Besides the races, there were other Grand Prix-related activities. At Fisherman’s Wharf, next to the world-famous Guia Circuit, you can see supercars and real race cars up close beneath the Roman Amphitheatre architecture, and watch drift team performances. I heard that the top three players in a mobile racing simulator game could win a drift car test ride.
Day 3: Old Town Stroll, “Two Lakes and One Tower,” and the Food Festival
First, I’d like to recommend a classic old town walking route: Ruins of St. Paul’s – Love Lane – Senado Square – Rua da Felicidade.
Macau’s most iconic landmark is the familiar Ruins of St. Paul’s. Originally a church, it was destroyed by several fires, leaving only the front facade, which has witnessed Macau’s trials and tribulations. Many tourists only take photos in front of the facade, but don’t forget there’s a small free museum behind it worth visiting. Now, when traveling to Macau, there are far fewer visitors taking pictures at the Ruins—it’s very possible to get a shot of the Ruins all to yourself these days!
Between the Ruins and Rua de S. Paulo, there’s a street called “Love Lane.” One side of the lane features pink, the other yellow, Portuguese-style buildings. From here, you can see the Ruins of St. Paul’s, adding a touch of romance. Many films have been shot here, and many lovers take photos to commemorate their love. A new “Cinema of Love” has opened on this lane, screening relatively niche independent films daily.
Senado Square sits opposite the former Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau headquarters. The entire square is paved with wave-patterned cobblestones, and people love to gather here for rest and leisure. At its centre stands a fountain, a symbol of the square, topped now with an armillary sphere signifying Portugal’s maritime expeditions. Visiting Senado Square at different times gives you a different feeling. During Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, and even Christmas, the square is decked out in festive decorations, complementing the surrounding European-style buildings and perfectly showcasing Macau’s blend of Chinese and Western culture.
The area is lined with shops and has long been a thriving commercial district. What makes it truly special is that it still preserves old two- or three-storey Chinese and Western buildings, alongside Western structures like St. Dominic’s Church, the Holy House of Mercy, and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau building, as well as Chinese temples like Sam Kai Vui Kun. Combining these with modern life, the old architecture and contemporary atmosphere coexist harmoniously—a perfect fusion of East and West, which is Makau's unique charm.
Rua da Felicidade was built during the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty and was once Makau’s red-light district. This area has seen both bustling prosperity and suffering, bearing the marks of time. Today, it still features many two-storey buildings from the late Qing period, with ornate window shutters, doorways, and metal doors freshly painted in bright red, contrasting beautifully with the grey walls. The effect is full of old-world charm and very pleasant to the eye.
After exploring the central area around Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, we headed to the “Two Lakes and One Tower”—that’s Nam Van Lake, Sai Van Lake, and Macau Tower. The lakes were created by embankments to the south of the Macau Peninsula. With gentle breezes, a stroll along the lakeside offers lovely lake views. At night, Nam Van Lake also features a spectacular fountain and laser show.
Next to Macau Tower, there’s a Winter Carnival, Makau’s only outdoor real-snow park. I never expected there’d be snow to play with in Macau! At the entrance, a cute polar bear greeted us, and you could take photos with the chubby Mr. Polar Bear. The park isn’t large, but it has a children’s zone and booth game areas, making it great for families. Entry is free!
The Food Festival was right next to the Winter Carnival. As dusk fell, we arrived at Sai Van Lake Square, where we could see the large “Macau Food Festival” sign beneath the tower from afar. At the square, we watched the sun slowly set beside the tower, and neon lights gradually came on. As night fell, more and more people flocked to the festival.
Each stall had its own unique decoration—some looked like Portuguese buildings, some like Japanese izakayas, and some had giant crabs and lobsters on their facades. The decor immediately told you what each stall specialised in: Portuguese cuisine, local Macau dishes, Japanese food, Southeast Asian treats—you name it. We strolled around and ate so much we were stuffed, yet we still wanted to try more. I recommend going with a few friends so you can sample a wider variety!
Day 4: Checking Out Macau’s New Landmark and Coloane’s Slow-Paced Life
teamLab is one of the world’s top ten must-see exhibitions. The Macau teamLab SuperNature is the tallest teamLab in the world, soaring to 8 metres, offering a deeply immersive experience. It’s also a “body-immersive museum” composed of artworks that explore the relationship between humans and nature, and new ways of perceiving the world.
Beyond being photogenic, many of the exhibits hide intriguing secrets. For example, if you touch the flowers on the wall, the petals scatter; if you hold still, more flowers bloom than usual. In the calligraphy room, when you touch Chinese characters, the world contained within that character is revealed. In the “Star Nebula” bouncing bed, if you keep jumping in the same spot, the nebula slowly converges into a planet and eventually turns into a cosmic “black hole” that swallows everything around it. There’s also an interactive “Miniature World,” “Hopscotch,” and “Fruit Slide Garden.” In “Graffiti Nature: Reversible Rotation,” children can draw animals, and staff will scan their drawings and project them into the artwork, instantly giving their creations life.
After visiting this new Macau landmark, we took a bus to Coloane Village. This area has a quiet seaside fishing village feel, modest and unpretentious. A stroll here lets you experience Macau’s slow countryside pace. I recommend this route: Largo do Presidente – Kun Iam Ancient Temple – Tam Kung Temple – Coloane Library – Chapel of St. Francis Xavier – Golden Flower Temple – Coloane Pier.
It’s been almost a year since my last visit to Coloane, and this time I noticed many interesting changes. Besides the well-known original Lord Stow’s Bakery café here, many little surprises await as you wander the alleys! There’s new street art on the walls, along with some excellent restaurants and coffee shops. I highly recommend the Coloane Pier Noodle House—many locals go there, and the curry noodles we ordered were especially fragrant.
