A City Worth Returning To Again and Again: The Ultimate Shopping Paradise!
The whole point of working hard is to live the life you want—and to shop without hesitation when the mood strikes! Shopping and traveling are two of the best ways to unwind, and that’s certainly true for me. Many of my girlfriends often complain to me that they can’t find the things they want no matter where they look, or they just don’t know where to go. But from my own experience and a few trips of exploration, I can tell you Macau is an absolute shopper’s paradise. With the exchange rate of 100 MOP to about 81 RMB, it's essentially a 20% discount straight off the bat. Step into Macau’s shopping malls and your eyes will be opened wide. The annual shopping season is here again, and I’m getting ready to head off to Macau for a crazy shopping spree!
However, heading to Macau isn’t just about getting a visa. You also need a nucleic acid test valid within 7 days. Even though the pandemic is now a thing of the past, it’s still good to be prepared. On top of that, you need to apply for the Macau Health Code, as you’ll need to scan it when checking into hotels and entering shopping malls. Most importantly, you must have a mobile data plan; otherwise, in this age of the internet, searching for good food and fun spots is impossible. You can exchange some Patacas or Macau dollars, but it’s not a big deal if you don’t—after all, this is the era of seamless Alipay and WeChat Pay. With your phone and internet, you can go wild shopping. Once you’ve got all this covered, you’re ready to unlock Macau!
When traveling, you want to enjoy yourself and stay happily, so choosing the right hotel matters. Before my trip, I considered a few: The Londoner Macao, The Venetian Macao, Sheraton, and St. Regis. In the end, considering my budget, The Parisian Macao suited me best. Not only is it full of French flair and utterly luxurious, but it also has a shopping mall and gourmet restaurants, making it super convenient for dining, shopping, and getting around. Be sure to book on the official website in advance—not just for discounts, but also to secure a room. I booked a Deluxe King Room on their site two days ahead and got 20% off; staying two consecutive nights even gets 30% off. If you book through Ctrip, two consecutive nights could earn you a MOP 500 dining voucher, two tickets to “Macau teamLab SuperNature,” and gondola ride tickets—so many surprises.
Upon leaving the airport, I took the free shuttle bus to The Parisian Macao. The weather was exceptionally clear, and the hotel gleamed under the sun. I handed my luggage to the bellboy and strolled around the exterior. The Western-style architecture feels upscale, and the natural surroundings are lovely. Even though it’s in the middle of a bustling city, it manages to be an oasis of calm, which is a special feeling. The iconic Eiffel Tower replicas everywhere around the hotel truly make you feel like you’re in the heart of Paris.
Inside the lobby, the grandeur and elegance only heighten the hotel’s premium feel. Glittering crystal chandeliers and a variety of Western murals fill the space with a rich artistic vibe. Gazing around the lobby feels like watching scene after scene from an art film, with ever-changing frescoes full of aesthetic charm. Check-in was quick, and the front desk even thoughtfully offered a free suite upgrade—top-notch service.
Following the signs to my room, I opened the door to a burst of vintage red. Since I was traveling solo, I opted for a king-bed room, but it turned out to be much larger than I expected. The warm amber chandelier paired with the retro red hues creates a quiet, elegant atmosphere. Standing by the window, I could see the bustling city of Macau. If you’re in the mood, pour a glass of red wine and enjoy this unique urban view.
The bathroom has a cooler, more glamorous feel, probably due to the space. The marble patterns match the vintage light fixture in a contrasting style. It’s spotlessly clean, with both a shower and a bathtub. Toiletries are neatly arranged, and the bathrobe is soft with a faint scent. Soaking in a warm milk bath washed away all my fatigue. After a good night’s sleep, I was fully charged for the next day—ready for some serious shopping.
Another reason I chose The Parisian Macao is the abundance of nearby shopping malls—it’s part of the Sands Shoppes complex. The hotel’s second and third floors are directly connected to a mall with hundreds of shops, and it links seamlessly to The Venetian Macao’s Grand Canal Shoppes, Shoppes at Four Seasons, and The Londoner Macao mall. Together, there are over 800 stores to explore. The Parisian Shopping Mall has many international boutiques for some serious treasure hunting, Shoppes at Four Seasons dazzles with luxury brands, and The Londoner Mall offers a wide array of labels. Whatever you need, it’s all here. All malls support mobile payment, so if you like it, you can take it home.
At The Venetian Macao’s Grand Canal Shoppes, the beauty and skincare brands are incredibly comprehensive, making shopping there deeply satisfying. The store layout is unique, so you can go straight from one brand to the next, with a dazzling choice. Many skincare items are discounted, some even at 50% off. The sales assistants proactively ask what you need and invite you to try products—their attitude is great. Best of all, they remind you of available promotions and suggest combinations that are more cost-effective. Just be quick, that’s my tip. Besides skincare, Leboo’s perfumes are well worth checking out. Whether it’s No. 31 rose scent or No. 29 black tea, I’m totally in love—they’re light yet elegant. If you have a mall membership card, you can get an extra 10% off, which is totally worth it.
At The Venetian Macao, you must check out this one store—its variety of scented sprays and body lotions will keep you coming back for more. Many popular scents on the mainland are often out of stock, and buying through daigou isn’t cheap. But the main draw here is lingerie. The shop is huge with a dizzying array of styles. It’s not just about comfort; the designs and fabrics make you feel utterly feminine. Many styles are 50% off, and I scored five pieces in the clearance section for just MOP 188—basically a steal I couldn't resist. Paying with Alipay also gave me a RMB 30 discount for every RMB 300 spent, so buying a few more pieces didn’t hurt at all.
No woman can resist the allure of jewelry and cosmetics, and I’m no exception—when I passed Lukfook Jewellery, I dashed in without a second thought. Lukfook’s designs feel more innovative compared to others, and they look more upscale when worn without being flashy. That’s why many of my accessories are from Lukfook. Gold prices in Macau are noticeably lower than on the mainland. I’d been eyeing a “Triumph in the Skies” style bracelet that was out of stock back home, so I was thrilled to find it here. I also picked up some other pieces as gifts for family; using coupons on every purchase, I saved over RMB 600 altogether. Love it!
When I came across Skechers with a buy-one-get-one-free deal on some items, all I could think was “bargain.” Their sneakers are stylish, look great on foot, and offer great value—Skechers definitely fits that bill. I bought two pairs of limited-edition Hong Kong/Macau styles for MOP 1,200 and felt as happy as a kid. The store has a huge selection; some new arrivals were 25% off, and spending over MOP 1,000 also got me coupons. I’ve never come across such good deals on the mainland. After trying on a bunch, I also bought a couple of pairs for my family. Good thing my suitcase was big, or I’d have had to ship them.
All that shopping requires serious stamina, and Macau is famous for its food. I’d already researched several restaurants recommended by online reviewers: The Parisian Buffet, Churchill’s Table, and Imperial Lotus Palace were all on my list for this trip, and unsurprisingly, they were absolutely worth revisiting.
The dishes were top-notch and reasonably priced, though the set menus were sold out by the time I arrived, so I ordered a few dishes recommended online. The restaurant’s decor is impeccable—as upscale as ever with a strong British flair. Service was fast, and the staff recommended dishes based on my tastes, all very attentive. The complimentary bread was huge like I’d never seen before, and it was perfectly buttery. The crispy roast duck was sweet—my first time trying sweet roast duck. It had a subtle sweetness with a hint of saltiness, truly unique. Caramelized ribs with fragrant rice were a masterpiece: the ribs crispy, the pearl rice aromatic. Charcoal-grilled octopus, a first for me, incredibly delicious. And I have to mention the seafood rice: the seafood was so fresh, mixed with the rice, it felt like dining by the seaside.
The ambiance and food were both spot on. I highly recommend the Boston lobster—large and fresh, worth going back for seconds and thirds. The roasted meats were excellent with authentic Cantonese style. There was a full spread of seafood, desserts, roasted meats, and cold dishes. What stood out was how fresh everything was, with impeccable service. The thick-cut salmon was so popular it was hard to get, but paired with a little dipping sauce, it was simply divine. The desserts were exquisite, and with ice cream in various flavors, after eating I felt like I owned the whole summer.
A very famous Chinese restaurant in Macau with a wide range of dishes at affordable prices. The exterior is quite posh, like a palace, all gold and gleaming. Inside, even the tableware sparkles, making you feel like you’re dining in a royal court. They offer hot pot and a mix of Chinese and Western dishes. Since I was dining alone, I kept it simple and ordered a few signature dishes. The service was fast and excellent—no wonder so many people recommend it. The pickled cherry tomatoes were tiny, with a sweet-tart flavor, very appetizing. The caviar tricolor shrimp dumplings deserve high praise—beautifully plated, with thin skins and tender shrimp, each one a perfect bite. The honey pomelo crispy shredded chicken had a sweet-tangy grapefruit juice that paired wonderfully with the chicken’s freshness—nice! The black caviar golden-thread phoenix-tail prawns were small but very tender, and the caviar’s aroma added a unique touch. The red rice noodle roll with crispy shrimp was still all about the shrimp, but the rice roll flavor came through more strongly. The seafood fried rice was the best of the meal—I downed two bowls without needing any excuse!
This combination of wild shopping and indulging in amazing food truly let me experience the joy of a Macau shopping trip. I feel like I could come here every year and buy everything I need for the whole year. Wandering through Macau’s shopping malls, life feels incredibly blissful. I can’t wait for my next visit!
Travel guide directory:
1. Recommending the Cost-effective The Parisian Macao
2. Unlocking Macau’s Shopping Malls Where You Can’t Stop Spending
3. Yali
4. Victoria's Secret
5. Lukfook Jewellery
6. Skechers
7. Churchill’s Table
8. The Parisian Buffet
9. Imperial Lotus Palace
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