Savoring Macau: A Record of My Only Trip in 2020
2020 was destined to be an extraordinary year, and I finally decided at the end of this extraordinary year to take my only trip of the year—to Macau! Since this trip was still during the pandemic, and the destination was Macau, the preparations before departure were a bit complicated.
1. Prepare a valid Hong Kong and Macau Exit-Entry Permit and obtain the endorsement.
2. Take a nucleic acid test before departure. The test result is valid for 7 days from the date of testing. A paper version of the negative nucleic acid test certificate with a red stamp must be carried with you (except for Guangdong Province).
3. Follow the 'Macau Government Tourism Office' WeChat official account and participate in the hotel voucher lottery under 'Heart of Macau'. You can win a 50% discount coupon up to a maximum of 500. But be sure to pay attention to the activity time. Join the activity about half a month before confirming the check-in date, so that you don't miss the usage window after winning the coupon and can only sigh in regret.
4. Exchange some Macau pataca/Hong Kong dollar change—not too much, just enough for emergencies. Currently, many shops in Macau accept WeChat Pay/Alipay, and the payment is directly converted to RMB at the exchange rate.
5. To go to Macau, you need to activate data roaming. China Telecom caps at 25 yuan/day, China Mobile caps at 30 yuan/day. However, hotels and shopping malls have free WiFi, so activating it is just for emergencies.
Because I checked into The Parisian Macao on Taipa Island on the first day, I chose to cross at Hengqin Port. There is an airport bus from Zhuhai Jinwan Airport to Hengqin Port, but the frequency is long. If traveling with family, it is recommended to charter a car. The charter cost for four people from the airport to Hengqin Port is 180 yuan per car, taking about 50 minutes. Travelers from outside Guangdong Province need to provide the Hong Kong and Macau Exit-Entry Permit, a paper version of the nucleic acid test certificate, and declare the Guangdong Health Code and Macau Health Code on their phones. After crossing, you can take the free shuttle buses from various hotels to your desired destination.
Due to the pandemic, the occupancy rate at The Parisian Macao was not high, and check-in was quick. There was no need to wait until after 3 p.m.; you could check in anytime upon arrival. They even upgraded the room for free—what a steal!
Since I was staying at The Parisian, I had to see its iconic Eiffel Tower replica. It looks different at different times and from different locations. Which view do you prefer?
The Parisian and The Venetian are connected, so you can walk over and continue shopping.
From The Venetian, you can walk to Rua do Cunha. Eating while strolling is the best way to explore Rua do Cunha.
First, try a box of egg tarts.
For noodle lovers, you can taste Wong Chi Kei's signature shrimp wonton noodles.
The famous Taipa attraction, Taipa Houses-Museum (Long Huan Po Yun), is near Rua do Cunha. After a meal, you can come here to digest.
In the morning, I took the free shuttle from The Parisian to Sands and arrived at Macau Peninsula. Next to Sands is Fisherman's Wharf. The most attractive spot in Fisherman's Wharf is the Roman Square, where you can take great photos.
Across from Fisherman's Wharf is the Golden Lotus Square, a commemorative site for Macau's return and a must-visit spot for travelers.
Of course, as one of Macau's iconic landmarks, the Ruins of St. Paul's is unmissable. Nearby, the Mount Fortress, Love Lane, and Senado Square each have their own charm and can be visited together.
It takes about half an hour to walk from the Ruins of St. Paul's to A-Ma Temple, passing by the A-Po Well (Yapok Well) and Mandarin's House along the way.
Exploring Macau Peninsula on foot can be tiring, but reward yourself in the evening with a Portuguese meal at Tomato House.
Macau is a city worth exploring slowly and savoring, and also a city where you can feel safe to roam during these unusual times. So, set off with a beautiful mood, while the sun is shining and while you are still young!
Travel Notes Directory: 1. Preparation before departure 2. Taipa Island 3. Macau Peninsula 4. After the trip Travel Information Hotel Index Guide Index Airfare Index Website Navigation Travel Index Cruise Index Corporate Travel Index Franchise Cooperation Distribution Alliance Friendly Links Corporate Gift Card Purchase Insurance Agency Agent Cooperation Hotel Franchise Destination and Scenic Area Cooperation More Franchise Cooperation About Ctrip About Ctrip Ctrip Hotspots Contact Us Careers User Agreement Privacy Policy Business License Security Center Ctrip Content Center Intellectual Property Trip.com Group Algorithm Announcement
