[Ma Mali's Travel Notes] Traveling to Macau After the Epidemic, Collecting 10 Travel Photo Inspirations

Preface:

Macau, refined and elegant, has a captivating charm. No one is not fascinated by its fashion and trends, its modernity and avant-garde, and no one easily overlooks its past and the old stories that are still talked about with relish. Whether recalling the past or looking to the future, it is a city with character.

Quarantine-free Healthy City, Macau welcomes you~

Currently, the epidemic in Macau is relatively under control, so tourists can come to Macau for vacation with peace of mind. Mainland tourists who meet Macau's epidemic prevention conditions and carry a negative nucleic acid test result valid within 7 days can travel to and from Macau without quarantine.

After the epidemic, returning to Macau, I collected 10 inspiring photo spots, some modern and fashionable, some low-key and luxurious, and some full of fun... At least one is worth your journey.

There are many small, beautiful, and colorful buildings in Macau, many of which are world heritage sites.

The Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macau is one of them and is very unique because it is one of the few government institutions that can be visited for free, and its fresh scenery is also great for photos!

The Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macau was built at the end of the 16th century, formerly known as the Senate or Town Hall, and once served as the office of the Macau Senate and municipal institutions. Due to damage from natural disasters, it underwent major repairs in 1940. The building has been used as a municipal office building, museum, post office, health institution, court, and prison, and now houses a library. Many historic stone carvings are embedded in the walls of the building.

Look closely at the tiles on the wall; they are very old. These are the most classic blue and white patterned tiles from Portugal. At first glance, you might mistake them for Chinese blue and white porcelain, but they are different. In fact, Portugal's tile culture was also influenced by Chinese porcelain and later developed on its own.

The inner courtyard of the Municipal Affairs Bureau also has a garden full of flowers, with green window frames that exude exotic charm, and photos taken there look great.

When we went, we happened to catch the Childhood Fun Retro Toy Exhibition held by the Municipal Affairs Bureau, which was truly eye-opening!

This exhibition selected about 300 privately collected old toys, including those made of plastic, iron, paper, and other materials, dating from the early 20th century to the 1980s, with diverse types.

From toy cars, airplanes, dolls, board games, guns, picture cards to spinning tops, these were all popular toys of the last century. Some of the toys are over a hundred years old, very precious!

I don't know if it's because people become more nostalgic as they grow older. When I was a child, I used to play rubber band jumping, game consoles, stickers, etc. I even found them here! It really makes me feel old...

Location: Central area of the Cathedral Parish, Macau Special Administrative Region

⏰ Opening hours: All day

Bus routes: 2, 3, 3A, 3X, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8A, 10, 10A, 11, 18, 18A, 19, 21A, 26A, 33

Senado Square is also a gathering place, where locals often participate in government-organized activities. The square is not very large, but photos look great.

When we went, the sunshine was just right. Looking up, we saw the timeworn Portuguese buildings. Stopping and going, taking photos and looking around, it felt like the long-lost feeling of travel.

Senado Square was named after the Senate (the predecessor of the Macau Town Hall). In the 1970s, a fountain was built in the center of the square, so locals also call it "Fountain Square." Since the opening of the port, Senado Square has been the center of Macau, and many festivals and celebrations are held here.

This square is the plaza in front of the Municipal Affairs Bureau building, shaped like a funnel that is wide in front and narrow in the back. The buildings on both sides were built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

On the right, there is the post office building with Western classical features and the Neoclassical Santa Casa da Misericórdia building. On the left, there is a row of three-story Neoclassical buildings with pedestrian arcades, diverse architectural colors, and different window styles.

Since 1993, the square has been paved with black and white碎石, arranged in wave patterns, which are both beautiful and distinctive. They complement the colorful heritage buildings nearby, creating a strong Southern European atmosphere.

The colors of these buildings are really beautiful. Look closely at the lower part of the eaves and the ground floor; there are rich geometric patterns characteristic of Art Deco. The iron railings on the stairs also have typical Art Deco decorative patterns.

The Art Deco style emerged in the 1920s and became popular in Europe and America, especially in major American cities, by the end of the 1920s. Macau began to embrace this new architectural fashion almost simultaneously with major cities in Europe and America.

Location: Central area of the Cathedral Parish, Macau Special Administrative Region

⏰ Opening hours: All day

Bus routes: 2, 3, 3A, 3X, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8A, 10, 10A, 11, 18, 18A, 19, 21A, 26A, 33

When visiting Macau, you must go to Rua do Cunha and Travessa do Quartel to eat and shop; it will definitely satisfy your taste buds!

The buildings on Rua do Cunha are also very distinctive, with a collision of Portuguese and Chinese styles, which feels quite special. In Travessa do Quartel,

don't underestimate those seemingly haphazard signs! Many are century-old brands with great reputations. Although the shops are small, the things they make have been passed down for many years and maintain good flavors.

Rua do Cunha is actually not long, a small alley with countless delicious foods: congee with crab, pork chop bun, serradura, egg rolls, ginger candy... you name it! You can eat your way through the street~

We came across a graffiti wall.

Starbucks has also opened here.

Average spending: 43 MOP

Business hours: 11:00-21:00

Address: Shop A, 9 Rua do Cunha, Old Taipa Town (near Rua dos Mercadores)

On the wall of Cheng Pin Coffee in Travessa do Quartel, there are graffiti with different styles, perfect for photos.

The Carmo Hall at night.

During the Macau Light Festival, there are also colorful light decorations that attract many people to stop and admire.

Colorful small lights sway in the wind at night, creating a great atmosphere.

️Dumbo Portuguese Restaurant

Average spending: 177 MOP

Business hours: 12:00-23:30

Address: 2/F, Sheraton Plaza, Rua do Regedor, Taipa, Macau

Every time I come to Macau, I have different discoveries and surprises. This time, I visited teamLab SuperNature and was amazed by the cool light installations and surreal dream space!

teamLab SuperNature is created by the art team teamLab, composed of super-large works with a height of 8m, covering an area of 5,000 square meters, a complex and three-dimensional interactive space with height differences.

Must-visit: [Athletics Forest]

In a complex and three-dimensional space, use strong physical abilities to fully immerse yourself in an interactive world. Very cool for photos!

This space is filled with freely floating spheres.

People push aside the spheres and enter the space. As the colors change constantly, the space oscillates between three-dimensional and flat through the collection of spheres.

When people push or hit the spheres, they change color and emit unique sounds.

As the colors change, the space constantly穿梭 between the three-dimensional objects formed by the spheres and the flat surfaces formed by colors.

The Infinite Crystal Universe

This work is a three-dimensional piece created by accumulating light points; the creation method is similar to pointillism, where various colored dots are used to draw images.

People can select elements through their smartphones and投入 them to create three-dimensional objects, which then form the work space. The three-dimensional objects in the space interact with each other and are also affected by the presence of people in the venue.

Sharing some very stunning scenes from the site.

Ticket prices (Macau Pataca)

Standard (13+) MOP 238.00

Child (3-12) MOP 168.00

0-2 years old Free

Venetian Macao Cotai Expo Hall F

Estrada da Baía de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Cotai, Macau

10:00-22:00

Closed every second and fourth Wednesday of the month

At MGM Cotai, there are not only food, accommodation, and entertainment but also very precious works of art to appreciate!

To let guests understand the art treasures of MGM Cotai better, art-guided tours are provided. Interested friends can make reservations at the hotel lobby concierge.

MGM Cotai's art collection includes over 300 top art treasures, perfectly integrated with the interior public spaces of MGM Cotai. Here, you can appreciate Qing Dynasty antique carpets, modern and contemporary Asian paintings and sculptures by famous artists, and commissioned works by local and regional emerging artists.

M Art MGM Space

MGM Space specially invited two Macau artists to draw the highlights of MGM with their personalized brushes, forming MGM memory cards.

MGM Space is very popular with children; they can come here to draw, write, etc., and engage in imaginative artistic creation!

MGM Cotai Chinese Imperial Carpet Collection - Qing Palace Masterpieces

MGM Cotai's 28 imperial carpets share similarities in style, era, and design imagery, forming a unique collection.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), carpets woven with silk and gold and silver threads were indispensable decorations in the Forbidden City in Beijing. Only about 300 remain, collected by museums or private collectors.

The details are very stunning!

Location: MGM Cotai Hotel, Macau

Transportation: There are free shuttle buses from Macau ports and airports

During this trip to Macau, I found a great place for kids — Adventure Q Cube!

This fun and creative playground features breathtaking climbing structures with various slides and rope nets, as well as computer game consoles that children love.

You must try the signature slide! There is a vertical slide and two small slides. The vertical slide is the most thrilling, and children who love challenges adore it!

Due to the epidemic, the place is fully disinfected every day, so parents can rest assured!

At Adventure Q Cube, children can let loose and play freely, and parents can also "free their hands." The considerate staff prepare different colored wristbands to identify which activities children can play, and they take good care of the kids throughout.

Hotel guest entrance: Take the South Wing suite elevator to the 5th floor

Visitor entrance: Enter through the 3rd floor of The Grand Canal Shoppes, next to Shop 2610 on St. Luca Canal

⏰ Opening hours: 11:00 AM — 7:00 PM daily

When I went to Fisherman's Wharf, it happened to rain heavily. The pouring rain did not dampen our cheerful mood.

Fisherman's Wharf is close to the Macau-Hong Kong Ferry Terminal. The buildings here are diverse, with many European-style buildings. Photo enthusiasts can stroll around here and surely get good results. The most popular Roman Colosseum replica always gives the illusion of being in real ancient Rome, which is very stunning.

This is a very distinctive spot, as if you are in Rome. No matter how you shoot, you can get great photos!

The ancient Roman-style architecture instantly transports you to Europe, very striking. The photo rate is high, and every shot is beautiful! Every photo is a masterpiece.

In addition to dining and entertainment facilities, Fisherman's Wharf also has a variety of shops, making it a great place for posing for photos and enjoying the sea view.

Location: Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, Cathedral Parish, Macau Special Administrative Region

⏰ Opening hours: All day

1. Macau line and Taipa line depart every hour, from 10:00 to 22:00 daily.

2. Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal loop line departs every 30 minutes, from 10:00 to 22:00 daily.

When traveling to Macau, you shouldn't miss the Art Museum.

Macau has preserved rich traditions and historic buildings. Although Macau is small, it is highly regarded in contemporary art, with artists and venues from all over the world, ranging from large exhibition spaces to small but influential independent galleries.

The Macau Museum of Art is the largest museum of cultural relics and art in Macau. The museum has five floors, with various exhibition spaces: the fourth floor mainly features traditional Chinese art, the third floor mainly displays the museum's collection, and the second floor has a large special exhibition hall.

By viewing the paintings currently on display, you can get some understanding of the current art scene in Macau.

Address: Avenida Xian Xing Hai, Nape, Macau

Museum opening hours: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (no entry after 6:30 PM)

Closed on Mondays, open on public holidays

Thinking back, my memory of the Macau Light and Music Festival still lingers from 2018, when the projection mapping show at the Ruins of St. Paul's was truly stunning and left a deep impression on me. This year, after Macau reopened to mainland tourists, I finally visited the "2020 Macau Light Festival"! The theme of this year's light festival is "Light Carnival." High-tech projection mapping shows, dazzling light installations, and fun interactive games attracted many citizens and tourists to take photos and play.

The theme of this year's Macau Light Festival is "Light Carnival." For the first time, large-scale projection mapping was held at Tap Seac Square, using the Cultural Affairs Bureau building, Tap Seac Health Center, Central Library, and Macau Archives as backgrounds, combining images and music to present a unique projection mapping experience.

The 6th Macau Light Festival is divided into four routes by district: Our Lady of Fátima Parish "Dream Circus," St. Lazarus Parish and St. Anthony Parish "Time Tunnel," Nape and West Bay "Candy Kingdom," and Taipa Carmo Parish "Light Music Box."

Sharing the projection mapping show I saw on the buildings at Tap Seac Square. Dynamic music combined with colorful light changes projected onto the buildings was very captivating!

Little Tips:

1. The projection mapping shows run from 7 PM to 10 PM every night, every half hour, each about 5-6 minutes.

2. The "Time Tunnel" light installation at Tap Seac Square is very cool and great for photos.

3. Another kid-friendly interactive area has large light-up dolls and interactive games, where many children were playing happily.

Since September 23, the tourist visa for mainland residents to Macau has been fully resumed. Mainland tourists who meet Macau's epidemic prevention conditions and carry a negative nucleic acid test result valid within 7 days can travel to and from Macau without quarantine.

With the nucleic acid test in hand, you can go as you wish~ (For details, refer to the latest guidelines from the Macau Health Bureau)

Currently, the epidemic in Macau is relatively under control, so tourists can come to Macau for vacation with peace of mind.

[About Visa Processing]:

Currently, self-service visa machines on the mainland are suspended. You need to go to the manual counter at the public security exit-entry department in your city. The manual counter is also fast; I personally found it done in just over ten minutes. To prevent the spread of the epidemic, new documents can only be mailed home; for visa endorsements, you can choose to have them mailed or pick them up.

[How to Go to Macau After the Epidemic?]

1️⃣ Check if your travel document is expired? Make an appointment for visa processing

2️⃣ Go in person (must go to the exit-entry hall)

3️⃣ Make an appointment for a nucleic acid test at a hospital two days before departure

4️⃣ Fill in information before entering Macau, manually convert Yue Kang Code to Macau Health Code

5️⃣ Macau Health Code (with nucleic acid result synced) + visa endorsement for entry

[About Nucleic Acid Testing]:

Currently, a negative nucleic acid test result valid within 7 days is required for entering and leaving Macau!!! Very important!!!

Getting a nucleic acid test is very simple. I had a throat swab at a medical institution. The nurse took a cotton swab and sampled from my oral cavity. The whole process took less than a minute and was not uncomfortable.

[Entering Macau]:

Note: Friends from outside Guangdong must register for Yue Kang Code first and then convert it to Macau Health Code if entering through Zhuhai.

I entered through Hengqin Port. First, I showed [Yue Kang Code] and then converted to [Macau Health Code]. Then I went through fingerprint clearance step by step. Finally, fully armed quarantine officers checked the nucleic acid test certificate. If you did the test at a hospital, remember to get a stamp! I did the test at a medical institution, and they asked me to sign manually. After all checks passed, I was allowed entry.

When exiting, convert [Macau Health Code] back to [Yue Kang Code] using the same method, and scan the code to exit.