In-depth Macau Tour: A Rejuvenating Food Journey
Hey, everyone, where are you planning to go for the May Day holiday? Due to the impact of the pandemic, I'm sure that desire to travel has been itching, and many people are eagerly planning a trip far away. Going abroad is still not realistic for now, so why not bring your partner or family to Macau for a visit? Currently, there are subsidies available here, making both accommodation and shopping unprecedentedly affordable.
Before the May Day holiday, I deliberately went with a friend to avoid the crowds and explore in depth. I found it to be great value for money and highly recommend it to everyone.
Previously, I only knew this place for its extravagant lifestyle, with scenes of luxury everywhere. But after strolling through the streets and alleys, I discovered that this is a city with rich historical and cultural heritage. You could say prosperity and decay coexist, and the huge contrast creates a strong visual impact. But I have to say, it's also a place full of charm, with a hint of romance in the air that makes you want to savor it.
As everyone knows, Macau is located in the southeastern coastal region of China, consisting of the Macau Peninsula, Taipa, and Coloane. It was once a small fishing village, named after a Chinese goddess, Mazu, whom fishermen deeply revered, and was ruled by Portugal for over 400 years. Through the changes of time and rapid development, it has now been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site and a City of Gastronomy. The fusion and coexistence of Eastern and Western cultures have made Macau a unique city, leaving behind a wealth of historical and cultural relics.
Wandering leisurely through these historic streets, colorful houses and churches appear before you, as if you were in Europe.
Cantonese is the main daily language here, but Mandarin and English are also widely used, so you don't need to worry about language barriers.
Transport: Direct from Jiuzhou Port to Macau in just 25 minutes
Currently, travelers from low-risk areas don't need to be quarantined here. You just need to bring a valid Hong Kong and Macau Entry Permit with a valid endorsement and a paper-based nucleic acid test report valid for seven days to travel smoothly. I heard earlier that a new direct route to Macau had opened, so my friend and I flew to Shenzhen from another city, then took a boat for a scenic ride.
Tips: At Jiuzhou Passenger Port, the fare from Shenzhen to Zhuhai is 130 yuan per person. You need to pick up your ticket at the corresponding counter at the port 30 minutes in advance, and security check stops 15 minutes before departure. This is the Shekou Cruise Homeport. The interior design is quite grand, with a broad view and a fresh ocean-style feel. The signs are clearly visible, and it's easy to find where to pick up tickets.
With the ticket and ID card, you can board smoothly. Find the blue-and-white ferry and go in to find a seat.
The ferry ride takes one hour. If you find it boring, you can listen to music, watch shows, or enjoy the sea view. Time passes quickly, and the signal seems decent. Each row of seats has independent USB charging ports, which is really practical for phone addicts.
The ferry has two decks. On the first deck, there's a drink vending machine where you can buy beverages at any time. The environment is very comfortable.
When you arrive at Jiuzhou Port, you need to transfer to the next ferry to Macau. I recommend buying tickets for a ferry at least half an hour later, as the customs clearance process here can be a bit cumbersome.
After exchanging tickets, follow the designated route to queue for customs. Note: Boarding stops 8 minutes before departure for the Macau flight, so please don't miss the time.
Pass through the corridor of the waiting hall to board the ferry!
It is said that this is the only water express passenger route from Zhuhai to Macau. The experience was comfortable and convenient, highly recommended!
Tips: It takes 25 minutes from Jiuzhou Port to Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal.
There were almost no other tourists when I took the ferry. It felt great to charter a whole boat for a small price. And the customs clearance in Macau was very quick, unlike the long queues at Gongbei Port—it was done in a few minutes.
What to do in Macau? These attractions are not to be missed
The Macau Peninsula is an important part of Macau. It is the earliest developed area and the main residential area and commercial center of Macau. Strolling through the historic center of the Macau Peninsula and experiencing the European Portuguese-style buildings and cuisine is the best way to experience Macau's culture.
When visiting the Macau Peninsula, most tourists first check in at the Ruins of St. Paul's. It is the remains of the Church of St. Paul, one of Macau's iconic landmarks, and one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Macau. The church was designed by an Italian Jesuit priest in 1602, built by Japanese craftsmen, and completed in 1637. It was part of St. Paul's College, the first Western-style university in the Far East. It was known as the 'Eastern Vatican.' Later, a fire in 1835 destroyed St. Paul's College and the adjacent church, leaving only the front facade, part of the foundation, and the stone steps in front of the church. Architecturally, the Ruins of St. Paul's is in the Mannerist style, blending European Renaissance and Eastern architectural styles.
Heading up the hill, you reach the Monte Fort. You can climb high and overlook the entire Macau city.
This was once the altar terrace of the Church of St. Paul, later converted into a military defense facility. The fort occupies a large area, with high walls and numerous fortifications around it, making it feel like a solid fortress. Today, the central platform has been transformed into a garden and the Macau Museum. If you want to understand Macau's past and present, visit the museum. It showcases Macau's historical changes and tells the story of residents from different countries and cultural backgrounds living peacefully together in Macau.
Senado Square is the square in front of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau building. It is long and triangular, one of Macau's four major squares. Locals also call it 'the Fountain,' located in the central area of the Macau Peninsula. This is the heart of Macau, surrounded by brightly colored heritage buildings, exuding a strong Southern European vibe.
· The square is lined with century-old Portuguese-style buildings, and the black-and-white wavy pavement and central fountain add to the Southern European charm.
· Shops abound; it has been a bustling commercial area from past to present, and many souvenir shops attract tourists for shopping.
The Macau Tower is also a famous local landmark, known as a top bungee jumping destination in Asia. The streets along the way showcase Macau's past prosperity, with various food and souvenir shops.
The Grand Canal Shoppes is Macau's largest shopping center. The entire mall is covered by a vast canopy, combined with computer-controlled lighting effects, creating a sky with clouds and colors of dawn, dusk, sunrise, and sunset. Together with the characteristic streets, canals, and the Rialto Bridge, the environment is elegant and magnificent, as if you are in the Venice of the past.
The Fisherman's Wharf is another personal favorite of mine. As the largest comprehensive leisure and entertainment theme area on the Macau Peninsula, it not only offers charming harbor views and elegant European architecture but also gathers hotels, shopping, dining, and entertainment venues.
My favorite part is the replica of the Roman Colosseum, a great spot for taking photos and enjoying the sea view. Every shot looks like a masterpiece.
I feel that Macau people know how to enjoy life. Rua do Cunha is also worth a visit. It is one of Macau's emerging famous attractions, now transformed into a creative and cultural district. It is a quiet place in the small city, perfect for sitting down with a cup of coffee and a book. The houses there are painted in various colors, and there are many graffiti walls, great for photos. Young people especially love to hang out here.
At night, the street is bustling with tourists, surrounded by various food shops and street snacks, as well as many stores where you can buy souvenirs. It's very lively.
Recommended Local Time-Honored Food Shops
If you want to experience an old-fashioned tea restaurant atmosphere in Macau, Nan Ping Ya Xu is a good choice. It's a shop my local friend took me to, located on Rua de Cinco de Outubro. Although the storefront is not very eye-catching, it is the first air-conditioned cafe in all of Macau. Opened in 1968, it has many good dishes worth trying, like the pork chop bun, Hong Kong-style roasted rice, and milk tea—all very good.
Tim Ho Wan is also worth recommending. It has many chain stores and is said to have several dishes awarded one Michelin star. The specialty is made-to-order steamer dishes. The crispy barbecue pork buns, pan-fried radish cake, smooth Malay sponge cake, and yellow sand pork intestine are all very popular.
Of course, there are many other great street-side old shops worth exploring. You can find them yourself.
Return: Direct from Macau Taipa Ferry Terminal to Jiuzhou Port
My trip to Macau ended happily. To clear customs quickly and catch the afternoon flight without queuing, I still chose to take the ferry from Taipa Ferry Terminal back to Jiuzhou Port. Since I left early, I took a taxi to the ferry terminal. The distance was less than 10 kilometers, and it cost 80 yuan, which is relatively expensive. If you're not in a hurry, taking a bus or light rail is more cost-effective.
I also recommend purchasing ferry tickets in advance (25 minutes direct). Of course, you can buy them on-site, but you might have to wait a bit longer. The ticket exchange counter is at Window 23 on the second floor. You need to check in and go through security 15 minutes before departure. PS: Please prepare your Hong Kong and Macau Entry Permit and a paper-based nucleic acid test report valid for seven days.
Throughout the process, staff provided attentive guidance, and prominent signs were everywhere, making it easy to reach the waiting room.
At the designated time, you can board smoothly. Show your ticket to the staff and enter the cabin.
With a bit of luck, spending 38 yuan might also let you enjoy the feeling of chartering a whole boat—it's awesome!
During the 25-minute voyage, the ferry passes under the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the only bridge-tunnel project in China connecting Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macau, and the longest sea-crossing bridge in the world. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful cityscapes of Zhuhai and Macau, making it great value for money.
Upon arriving at Jiuzhou Port Passenger Terminal, you can take a bus directly to downtown Zhuhai. If, like me, you need to go to the airport, you can also buy a bus ticket to the airport right at the terminal. It costs 50 yuan and takes about an hour to reach the airport directly—very convenient.
