From pregnancy to postpartum, I’ve been dreaming of Macau — revisiting felt like a second honeymoon!
Macau is no stranger to me — this was my third trip to this uniquely charming city. The first time was because I went to Hong Kong and wanted to visit both Hong Kong and Macau together; the second time was to catch a flight from Macau, so I set aside an extra day or two to explore. But overall, I was still just a hurried passerby in Macau. I hadn’t seen enough sights, tasted enough of its cuisine... I hadn’t soaked in its local culture, nor experienced its dazzling glamour... So I always wanted to find the time to properly enjoy Macau.
I looked up all sorts of information, and there’s nothing inconvenient about traveling to Macau during pregnancy. But by then I was already eight months pregnant, and I couldn’t convince my family to let me go, so I had to stay home and wait for the baby. So I made a pact with my husband — once the baby was born, our first trip had to be to Macau! ★ A tip for expecting mums: traveling during pregnancy is wonderful and beneficial for both mother and baby. The best window is from the fourth to the seventh month, ideally the fifth or sixth month. Macau has no restrictions on pregnant women entering or leaving, so it’s a great choice for a babymoon. If you want to travel while pregnant, Macau is an excellent option.
I waited from pregnancy through to giving birth, and now, four months postpartum, our little one’s daily routine is well established. The grandparents can look after her for a few days, so we began planning our Macau trip. Leaving my baby for a few days, though my heart was full of reluctance, I thought — once she’s a bit older and recognises people, we might find it even harder to get away. I also considered bringing her to Macau, but she’s still too young. We plan to take her next time. Looking into it, I found Macau is also an incredibly family-friendly destination.
So, from pregnancy to postpartum, Macau — the place I’d been longing for — I finally came back! It’s rare to have couple time these days, and the excitement before this trip felt just like when we were looking forward to our honeymoon. And since our actual honeymoon was in Europe, the Venetian and the Parisian in Macau, with their perfectly recreated scenery, brought back wonderful memories of Italy and France. Plus, the newly opened Londoner even made up for our regret of not yet having visited the UK. So revisiting Macau truly felt like a second honeymoon～
Macau, often called the ‘Las Vegas of Asia’, is brimming with beautiful sights, fun activities, and delicious food. In the past, it seemed overshadowed by Hong Kong. But in the post-pandemic era, it has decisively become a darling of travellers and is now a super hot destination. Don’t be fooled by Macau’s small size — there are so many places to explore. Even after three visits, I feel I haven’t yet seen half of it! And it keeps constantly updating～ every time there’s freshness and surprises! On my first visit, only the Venetian was there. The second time, the Parisian had been added. Now on my third trip, even the Londoner exists. I wonder what new landmark will appear by my next visit?!
Macau’s Side A is the Macau Peninsula. Here you’ll find historical and cultural sights like the Ruins of St. Paul’s, the Fort, and St. Dominic’s Church, where you can immerse yourself in profound historical heritage. Wandering along the old streets, narrow cobblestone lanes, sprawling banyan trees, weather-beaten walls within reach, and Baroque-style carved decorations all tell Macau’s intriguing stories.
Macau’s Side B is Taipa Island, home to one luxury hotel after another, interpreting Macau’s other facet. The famous Venetian, the trendy Parisian and Londoner — all are here. Stunning décor, comprehensive shopping malls, Instagram-worthy photo spots, spectacular shows and exhibitions… the hotel offerings are so rich that each could easily fill an entire day.
Macau’s Side C is Coloane Island, the area with the fewest tourists, mostly visited by those seeking a deeper travel experience. It feels like Macau’s secret hideaway — quiet and cosy. Compared with the liveliness of the Peninsula and the opulence of Taipa, it’s a completely different world. This area has also served as a filming location for many movies; try spotting some scenes from the silver screen.
And Macau’s cuisine must not be missed. Beyond the Portuguese egg tarts, there’s so much delicious food here. It’s an important stop on the world food map, with a variety far beyond imagination. Given the pandemic’s impact, the travel experience in Macau is actually better than before. Many hotels have big promotions, duty-free shopping discounts are generous, and the favourable exchange rate is like an extra discount. So now is the best time to visit Macau. If you’re planning a trip, choosing Macau is an excellent idea.
DAY 1: Nanchang → Zhuhai → Macau → The Venetian Hotel → Imperial House Dim Sum → Gondola Ride → The Grand Canal Shoppes → Four Seasons Shoppes → Rakuen Japanese Cuisine
DAY 2: Star Bridge → Londoner Moments → Crystal Palace at Londoner → Churchill’s Table → Coloane → St. Francis of Assisi Chapel → Coloane Library → Rua de Cinco de Outubro → Londoner Shopping Mall
DAY 3: Rua do Cunha → Maicai Lane → Taipa Houses-Museum → Our Lady of Carmel Church → Rakuen Ramen → teamLab SuperNature → Parisian Garden → Eiffel Tower → The Parisian → Lotus Palace → Parisian Shopping Centre
DAY 4: Senado Square → St. Dominic’s Church → Ruins of St. Paul’s → Travessa da Paixão → Rua do Terco → Coca-Cola Museum → Rua dos Ervanários → Heng In Coconut Shop → Bela Vista Street → Jardim de São Francisco
Macau’s itineraries are very rich. You can take a weekend short trip, or if time permits, a week-long in-depth tour. For something in between, you can spend four days like I did — perfect for a short holiday getaway. This trip focused mainly on Taipa, but of course also included the Peninsula and Coloane, making it a fairly comprehensive way to explore. I ticked off most of Macau’s trendy spots this time. If you want to unlock classic attractions, hit Instagram-worthy photo spots, and try authentic local food and new trendy restaurants, follow this itinerary — you can’t go wrong!
The Peninsula is a must-visit area for Macau travellers — almost every visitor comes here because the Ruins of St. Paul’s, Macau’s most iconic landmark, is here. The Peninsula is the main living area for local residents and the earliest developed part of Macau. To taste the most authentic Macau, head to the Peninsula. The Historic Centre of Macau on the Peninsula has over 400 years of history and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you want to feel Macau’s history, exploring the Peninsula is the best choice. Simply wandering its streets and alleys, sights are everywhere. Without even trying, you’ll stumble upon a centuries-old building. If you’re an architecture lover, the Peninsula is also an ideal pick.
This time, I dedicated a full day just to roaming the streets and lanes of the Peninsula, to savour the most original, everyday Macau.
The Ruins of St. Paul’s is Macau’s most famous historical landmark. If you go to Macau and don’t even see the Ruins of St. Paul’s, you’d really have wasted your trip. I’d already visited twice before, but on this third trip, I still wanted to see it again. I always feel that time flows on, the Ruins haven’t changed, but everything around them is changing — the travellers passing in front of the façade are constantly replaced. The Ruins are the remains of St. Paul’s Church; ‘Sanba’ is the Cantonese transliteration of ‘São Paulo’. Macau has many Catholic churches, and the oldest and most famous among them is St. Paul’s Church, which was also the largest Catholic church in the East at the time. The church suffered several fires until only the grand front wall remained — what we now see as the Ruins of St. Paul’s. Because its shape resembles a traditional Chinese memorial arch, everybody affectionately calls it ‘大三巴碑坊’ (Great Sanba Archway).
Climbing the 68 stone steps to the Ruins, it looks towering and magnificent. Apart from snapping a photo in front of it, take a closer look at the exquisite sculptures on the façade. Previously, standing on the steps was the classic tourist photo spot. Now, many more Instagram-famous angles online let you capture shots without other tourists, with a stylish feel. The slope to the side of the façade, for instance, is a good option. My husband and I found the right spot, but not the right angle — so we gave a wrong demonstration. If you sit on the bluestone railing along the slope and shoot from a lower angle, the background becomes only the Ruins, with no tourists visible. The second popular spot is under the big tree on the way up to the Fort. The original famous tree is now fenced off, but go a little further up and you’ll find another tree that can produce a similar effect. You can stand under the tree, sit on its roots, or sit on a nearby bench. There are also some rocks under the tree where sitting works nicely. Face towards the Ruins for a more atmospheric photo～ But please protect the plants and watch your step to avoid tripping.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: All day
Address: Under Fortaleza do Monte, Freguesia de Santo António, Macau SAR
Transport: Multiple bus routes stop at Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro; then walk via Senado Square.
After visiting the Ruins, you can follow the stone steps up to the Fort. Since I’ve been twice before, I didn’t climb up this time. Next, my husband and I went to Travessa da Paixão (Love Lane), a must-visit for couples. Located between Rua do São Paulo and Travessa de São Paulo, it’s also a superb spot for photographing the Ruins. Shooting upwards from the steps can capture the height of the façade as well as long legs. Although only 50 metres long, Travessa da Paixão has over 80 years of history. Lined with Portuguese-style buildings, it’s full of character. Buildings 5–11 have uniform decoration in mainly red and light yellow, giving a ‘tender’ feel, while No. 13 mixes neoclassical and modernist styles. The name ‘Paixão’ in Portuguese can mean passion and infatuation. Due to its romantic, poetic name, many couples come here for photos, making it a popular spot for wedding shoots. If you’re single, don’t worry — a local legend says that whoever walks through Love Lane will soon encounter love. With such a lovely meaning, you absolutely have to stop by!
Admission: Free
Opening hours: All day
Address: Between Rua do São Paulo and Travessa de São Paulo, Macau Peninsula, Macau SAR
Transport: Bus 17, alight at Praça de Luís de Camões terminal.
Usually when visiting the Ruins of St. Paul’s, you first take a bus to Senado Square. Senado Square is the plaza in front of the Macau Municipal Affairs Bureau building, one of Macau’s four major squares, where many festive celebrations are held. Macau’s governors throughout history all held ceremonies here, underscoring its importance. The square is a narrow triangle surrounded by centuries-old Portuguese-style buildings; the black-and-white wave-patterned pavement and central fountain add a southern European charm. Nearby, the Municipal Affairs Bureau building and the General Post Office are worth a look. Some side alleys are also pleasant to wander. The area is a bustling commercial district with all sorts of shops, especially many souvenir shops. Every time I come to Macau, I buy my souvenirs here.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: All day
Address: Senado Square, Central, Freguesia da Sé, Macau SAR
Transport: Multiple bus routes, alight at Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro.
On the way from Senado Square to the Ruins, you’ll easily come across St. Dominic’s Church — hard to miss. It’s a bright yellow European-style building with a very vivid exterior. Just show your health code to enter for free. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Fátima, a figure deeply venerated by the Portuguese. It was established by Spanish Dominican friars when they first arrived in Macau, over 400 years ago. Inside, there are many fascinating paintings and statues, especially the statue of Christ, which reveal the characteristics and style of ancient Spanish religious art.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: 10:00–18:00
Address: Largo de São Domingos, Freguesia da Sé, Macau SAR
Transport: Multiple bus routes, alight at Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro.
After seeing a few representative historical sights, we started wandering the old streets of the Peninsula. Rua dos Ervanários (Ervanários Street) is known as ‘Macau’s most charming street’ and is one of its oldest, so it’s unmissable. Those colourful buildings are the icons of the street, and the popular Coca-Cola Museum is right here. Walking from Senado Square to Rua dos Ervanários, you’ll spot many graffiti with local elements. During the Kangxi era, the imperial customs office was located nearby, hence the street’s later name. Today, it’s a treasure-hunting paradise for antique and vintage lovers. The street is lined with nostalgic shops selling traditional furniture, lanterns, jade ornaments, and more. In the middle of the street, stalls sell creative items.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: All day; shop hours vary.
Address: Freguesia de Santo António, Macau SAR
In my opinion, the highlight on this street is the Coca-Cola Museum, maybe because I’m a big fan of that happy fizzy drink! The museum is tiny and looks like a small shop from outside, but inside, the collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia is abundant — truly a treasure trove for cola lovers. First, take a photo at the entrance — that motorcycle is pretty cool. Inside, there’s a whole wall of Coca-Cola glass bottles that also makes a great photo backdrop. The museum was created by a local Coca-Cola club. It displays Coke bottles of all kinds, many limited editions and versions from various countries that are rarely seen in regular stores. Particularly special are the bottles incorporating Macau-themed prints, perfect for collecting. I collect Coca-Cola bottles from various countries and regions at home, but compared to this, mine is just the tip of the iceberg. Besides bottles, there are many Coca-Cola-themed merchandise items like cushions, canvas bags, cups, and plush toys. I was so tempted to buy many, but my husband kept me in check. I do recommend trying the lemon-flavoured Coca-Cola — it’s super tasty.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: Weekdays 12:00–17:00, weekends & holidays 12:00–19:00, closed Mondays.
Address: No. 26 Rua dos Ervanários, Freguesia de Santo António, Macau SAR
Right beside Rua dos Ervanários is Rua do Terco. It has a similar vibe but seems to have even more food shops. The name might startle you at first — ‘Terco’ (烂鬼) means ‘rotten ghost’ in Cantonese. It originally referred to a building called ‘Lan Kwai Lou’ that was burned down in a fire, becoming a ‘rotten ghost building’, and later the street was named after it. In the past, it was a second-hand goods market that later evolved into a cluster of junk shops; nowadays, I’d say it’s more accurate to call it a food street. Though only 100 metres long and 5 metres wide, the dining options are quite diverse, from local Macau flavours to world-famous trendy foods. What’s more interesting is the seating — tables and chairs made from repurposed beer crates, decorated with red-white-blue plastic bag motifs, giving environmental friendliness a whole new interpretation. Generally, you order at a shop and then can dine in the communal outdoor seating area.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: All day for the street; individual shop hours vary.
Address: Rua do Terco, Freguesia de Santo António, Macau Peninsula, Macau SAR
Many streets in Macau have amusing names, like Bela Vista Street (Rua da Bela Vista literally means ‘Beautiful View’). Does everyone living on this street look beautiful? Regardless of looks, I think walking down this street fills your heart with beauty. It became a photo spot because of its slope. The simple road combined with vintage red wooden windows creates a photographer’s beautiful composition, turning it into a popular Instagram location. Most photos online show people walking down the slope with the red windows as the background. I originally wanted to replicate that shot, but on site realised it’s actually a road for vehicles, and the window side isn’t convenient for pedestrians. For safety’s sake, I suggest not trying to take that exact photo — just enjoy this authentic Macau street scene.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: All day
Address: Rua da Bela Vista, Freguesia de São Lázaro, Macau Peninsula, Macau SAR
Jardim de São Francisco used to be a lesser-known spot but has now become definitely trendy. I suspect many people, like me, are drawn by the pink, cake-like building inside the garden. It’s a historic park, named after the nearby former São Francisco Barracks. Originally, the Spanish Franciscans established a convent here. Later, the convent was demolished and the barracks were built, while the adjacent area was turned into a public garden — today’s Jardim de São Francisco. It’s now a leisure spot for locals; when we visited, we saw elderly people exercising and parents with their children playing. The environment is lovely, full of greenery and flowers. The cylindrical building in the park used to be a War Memorial for Portuguese soldiers who died in WWI; now it houses the Macau Association for the Disabled. Tourists mostly come to photograph that cake-like building. Especially on a sunny day, the candy-coloured vibe is intense. Actually, the whole park is very photogenic — pink architecture against green plants yields great shots.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: All day
Address: Jardim de São Francisco, Rua de Santa Clara, Macau Peninsula, Macau SAR
Let me recommend the ice cream from Heng In Coconut Shop. It’s near Rua dos Ervanários, so you can drop by while exploring. Heng In is a specialist coconut shop that imports Malaysian coconuts, mainly doing wholesale, but the owner still makes ice cream by hand every day, and that’s what most tourists come for. This century-old shop has an excellent reputation, and many celebrities have visited. Mr. and Mrs. Lee are the fourth-generation owners; the elderly couple start making ice cream from scratch every morning — husking, peeling, washing, shredding coconut meat, extracting juice, and finally freezing it. No flavouring or water is added. Fresh coconut ice cream is usually ready around 11am.
Average spend: 25 MOP
Opening hours: 09:00–13:00, 14:30–19:00.
Address: No. 14 Rua de Tercena, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, Macau SAR
The Peninsula is the area of Macau connected to Zhuhai, while Taipa Island sits right in the middle as an outlying island. Taipa’s most defining feature is the cluster of luxury hotels. The Venetian, for instance, is a must-visit on Taipa; as time passed, we now also have the Parisian and Londoner among other trendy hotels. Here, you can spend the entire day without seeing sunlight — indoors it’s enough to while away the hours. Countless stunning Instagrammable spots, abundant entertainment, fascinating exhibitions, global cuisine, and a dazzling range of shopping… Of course, amid the luxurious hotels, you’ll also find streets like Rua do Cunha where you can sample authentic Macau snacks, and nearby historical buildings to explore. If I recommend a full day for the Peninsula, then for Taipa I suggest two to three days. Because I feel every single hotel here deserves a day of its own. That’s why the focus of this trip was Taipa. Since these trendy hotels offer so much, I’ll share my detailed experiences and tips in separate chapters later. In this Taipa section, let me talk about Rua do Cunha and some surrounding cultural spots～
Rua do Cunha is not only Taipa’s food hub but a food hub for all of Macau. Once a predominantly Portuguese residential area, it’s now Macau’s famous food street and well-known souvenir lane. This short street is packed with food shops large and small. We chose one midday to explore Rua do Cunha, aiming to try all the signature street snacks. It runs about 121 metres long and 5 metres wide, named after the 81st Governor of Macau, and is a key part of Taipa’s old quarter. Looking around the narrow alleys, the jumble of signs is dizzying. Portuguese restaurants like ‘The Wooden Doll’, ‘The Rooster’, and ‘Dumbo’ each have their unique style. At the street’s start, ice cream shops with serradura and culinária are part of its charm. Add the famous Dai Lei Loi pork chop bun, curry squid, Seng Cheong crab congee, and renowned souvenirs like beef jerky and almond cookies — it’s no wonder this is Macau’s crowned food destination. From our stay at The Venetian, it was a short walk, about ten minutes, to Rua do Cunha, part of which even had escalators, very convenient. Besides the food, the nearby lanes are also lovely to explore — some with European flair, others in cute pastel colours.
Admission: Free
Average spend: Depends on the shops, generally affordable.
Opening hours: Street all day; most shops open around midday.
Address: Rua do Cunha, Taipa, Macau SAR
Transport: Bus to Rua do Cunha stop; if staying at or visiting The Venetian, you can easily walk there.
On Rua do Cunha, Century Coffee is a takeaway-only spot, famous for its clay pot brewed coffee – definitely worth trying. Brewed in a clay pot, the coffee has an especially rich aroma; you can watch the brewing process right at the door. Coffee comes in a cup (hot) or bottle (cold), both priced at 22 MOP.
Average spend: 22 MOP
Opening hours: 11:00–19:00, closed Tuesdays.
Address: No. 1, Largo do Pagode do Bazar, Taipa, Cotai, Macau SAR
While Century Coffee is takeaway, Wong Kee Coffee offers dine-in. Because we planned to sample many foods, we didn’t eat inside, just grabbed their signature items. Despite its name, Wong Kee is actually famous for its milk tea, having been featured on CCTV. Recommended items are the hand-pulled milk tea and pork chop bun. The milk tea is indeed great, wonderfully smooth. The pork chop bun is generous with pork, nicely grilled, though I personally found the bread a bit ordinary.
Average spend: Milk tea 24 MOP, pork chop bun 48 MOP.
Opening hours: 07:00–22:00
Address: No. 1 Rua do Cunha, Taipa, Cotai, Macau SAR
Old Day Beef Offal was our favourite among all the foods on Rua do Cunha; we wanted a second helping right after the first. Their beef offal is genuinely delicious — rich curry flavour, ingredients simmered to tenderness and deeply infused with flavour, especially the tendon, which melts in the mouth. We also ordered add-ons; the radish is highly recommended and equally tasty.
Average spend: Small 45 MOP, medium 55 MOP, large 90 MOP.
Opening hours: 12:00–21:00, closed Tuesdays.
Address: No. 38 Rua dos Negociantes, Freguesia de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Macau SAR
When in Macau, you must try the iconic Portuguese egg tart, and among the many, Lord Stow’s Bakery makes the most authentic ones. The person who successfully popularised the Portuguese egg tart was Englishman Andrew Stow. After tasting Pasteis de Nata, a traditional pastry from Belém near Lisbon, he decided to add his own creative twist to the recipe. In 1989, he opened Lord Stow’s Bakery on Coloane, using lard, flour, water, eggs, and an English pastry method to create the wildly popular Portuguese egg tart. There are several Lord Stow’s outlets across Macau; you can grab a few or a box when you see one. We had ours at the Rua do Cunha shop, but there’s also one in The Venetian where we stayed. I suggest buying a box before leaving Macau so your family can enjoy a comparatively fresh taste.
Average spend: 10 MOP each, 55 MOP for a box of 6.
Opening hours: 10:30–18:30
Address: Shop 9E, Rua do Cunha, Cotai, Macau SAR
They say Cheung Chau’s mochi is delicious, and this Cheung Chau Mochi shop on Rua do Cunha is also quite popular, reportedly having sold over a million mango mochi since opening. The officially recommended flavours are mango and durian, but since my husband doesn’t eat durian, we only got a mango one. It is solidly filled — a whole half a mango in one mochi. The mangoes are imported from the Philippines, and one mango makes only two mochi. The outer skin is soft and chewy, but I felt it was a tiny bit too thick. I’m not particularly fond of glutinous things, so it was just okay for me, but if you love mochi, it’s still worth trying.
Average spend: 20 MOP
Opening hours: 10:30–22:00
Address: Largo Governador Tamagnini, Freguesia de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Macau SAR
Mok Yee Kei is a Michelin-recommended street snack year after year, visited by many Hong Kong and Macau stars, including Chow Yun-fat and Chua Lam. Their low-sugar, low-calorie classic healthy snack ‘culinária’ is fantastic, and the durian ice cream made with strictly selected Musang King durian is intensely fragrant.
Average spend: Culinária 22 MOP, Musang King durian ice cream 68 MOP.
Opening hours: 07:00–23:00
Address: No. 9A Rua do Cunha, Taipa, Cotai, Macau SAR
Dai Lei Loi is Macau’s most famous pork chop bun shop, recognised as a distinctive shop by the Macau Economic Bureau. The Rua do Cunha branch is small and simply set up; you’ll have to eat standing. People say their pork chop bun is cooked using a wood-fired oven, giving it an especially tasty flavour. Since we already had the pork chop bun at Wong Kee this time, we didn’t try Dai Lei Loi, but it seems the latter is actually more famous — next time for sure!
Average spend: 40 MOP
Opening hours: 08:00–18:00
Address: Largo Governador Tamagnini, Rua do Cunha, Cotai, Macau SAR
After eating, we strolled around the vicinity of Rua do Cunha, first to nearby Rua dos Negociantes and Beco da Confiança. The houses here are all brightly coloured and very photogenic. Most lanes are narrow, but at Beco da Confiança there’s a spacious open area where you can capture three buildings in yellow, orange, and blue. Sitting on a bench under a tree works well for wide shots. Next to it is Beco do Camelo, predominantly Tiffany blue. Around the corner from Beco do Camelo lies a pink alley with vintage street lamps, also very pretty. Rua dos Negociantes has a more representative scene — many online photos feature this alley corner. There’s no need for lots of tips about the colourful houses near Rua do Cunha; just wandering and snapping is delightful. Some walls even have characteristic street art. Just be mindful not to disturb local residents while exploring and taking photos.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: All day
Address: Near Beco da Confiança and Rua dos Negociantes, Taipa, Cotai, Macau SAR
Less than a five-minute walk from Rua do Cunha takes you to the Taipa Houses-Museum, passing by Our Lady of Carmel Church along the way. Taipa Houses is one of Macau’s eight scenic spots and an important heritage building and cultural relic — definitely worth a visit. ‘Long Wan’ is the old name for Taipa, and ‘Po Yun’ refers to the Portuguese architectural style. These five pastel-coloured Portuguese-style houses were built in 1921, originally as residences for high-ranking officials and Macanese families. In 1992, the government renovated and converted them into a museum complex. The five houses are: Macanese House, House of the Islands, House of the Regions of Portugal, Exhibition Gallery, and Guest House. Some are open to the public, but because my husband wanted to try a ramen shop with a limited dining window, we didn’t have time to go inside and only took photos outside. The mint-green buildings photograph beautifully. Next time, I’ll definitely set aside time to go in — they say you can see authentic displays, especially furniture and decorations from long-established Macau families.
Admission: 5 MOP, free on Sundays; the Guest House is not open to the public.
Opening hours: 10:00–18:00, closed Mondays.
Address: Avenida da Praia, Carmo, Taipa, Macau SAR
Transport: Bus to Rua do Cunha stop, then walk.
Beside the Taipa Houses-Museum stands Our Lady of Carmel Church. Its beige colour contrasts vividly with the museum’s mint green. Built in 1885 to serve the religious needs of Taipa’s Catholic community, it symbolised the Portuguese arrival in Taipa. It was renovated in 1985 and is the only Catholic church on Taipa. Records show that in 1880, Taipa had 3,230 residents, but only 35 were Catholic. Despite the small flock, the church is not small — it covers over 2,000 square feet and can accommodate over 200 worshippers. The three-storey building is simple and rustic in design, without ornate decoration, yet solemn and dignified. Its exterior is beige; at the top is a small bell tower, underneath which is the choir loft — cleverly designed to project sound from the high ceiling and let it resonate around. The beige building opposite the church is also lovely; standing in its corridor creates nice depth in photos.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: 10:00–12:30, 14:00–18:00, closed Tuesdays.
Address: No. 50 Estrada de Cacilhas, Freguesia de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Macau SAR
Transport: Bus to Rua do Cunha stop, then walk.
Note: Visitors should observe dress code — no short skirts or sandals.
Compared with the Peninsula and Taipa, Coloane has far fewer tourists. Located at the southernmost tip of Macau, it’s an area least touched by visitors. Quiet, peaceful, and cosy, it feels like a hidden treasure, discovered only by those seeking a deeper Macau experience. On Coloane, you can hike up hills for sea views or seek out filming locations from Hong Kong movies. You could spend half a day rambling here, or cover it in just an hour or two. Staying at The Venetian, it’s easy to catch a bus to Coloane from right across the street. Alight at Coloane Market; the moment you step off, you’re already in sightseeing mode — it’s a photo opportunity at every step. The Fanta sculpture near the bus stop is also an Instagram spot～
In Coloane, never mind the historical buildings — I think the streets themselves are a major highlight. Every street you walk is an attraction. Beco dos Cavaleiros arguably has the richest street atmosphere, plus some cool graffiti. The walls along Pátio dos Idosos and Beco das Flores are also great for photos, with clean backdrops. Rua do Comércio is pleasant for a stroll; chatting with locals, you’ll find prices here are really cheap.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: All day
Address: Coloane Island, Macau SAR
Transport: Bus to Coloane Market stop or Coloane Village stop.
St. Francis of Assisi Chapel is a representative landmark of Coloane. Built in 1928, it’s one of the newest churches in Macau and a filming location for movies like ‘Look for a Star’ and the Korean drama ‘Princess Hours’. In front of the chapel stands a monument commemorating the victory over pirates in 1910. The square in front is paved with traditional Portuguese wave-patterned cobblestones. Under the colonnades on both sides, you can dine at some food stalls. Architecturally, the chapel is Baroque, modest in size. Its exterior is yellow with white trim; the windows are oval, and there’s a bell tower. The door is blue, a lovely match with the yellow building. You can enter the chapel by simply registering your details. In 1978, a silver casket containing the arm relic of St. Francis was housed inside, but it has since been moved to St. Joseph’s Seminary. Because the chapel is small, the interior is not overly ornate; I’d suggest just admiring the exterior.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: 09:30–17:30, closed Tuesdays.
Address: Beco dos Cavaleiros, Coloane Island, Macau SAR
Transport: Bus to Coloane Market or Coloane Village stop, then walk.
A few steps from St. Francis of Assisi Chapel is the Coloane Library. It’s a public library under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, with a collection of about 9,400 books. Photos inside can yield stunning artistic shots, but please keep quiet～ Unlike the chapel, here yellow walls are paired with green windows, creating a different charm. The library building was originally the Coloane Municipal School built in 1911; it changed functions several times before becoming a library in 1983. The single-storey Portuguese-style building is simple yet elegant, with a front colonnade of six pillars, similar to the former Taipa Library (now the Civil Registry), and is a classified Macau heritage site.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: 13:00–19:00, closed Sundays.
Address: Rua de Cinco de Outubro, Freguesia de São Francisco Xavier, Macau SAR
Transport: Bus to Coloane Market or Coloane Village stop, then walk.
In Macau, there are three places named ‘Cinco de Outubro’ (October 5): Rua de Cinco de Outubro, Travessa de Cinco de Outubro, and Rua de Cinco de Outubro (in Coloane). The 2000 TVB hit drama ‘Return of the Cuckoo’ was set on Rua de Cinco de Outubro in the Peninsula. Many mistakenly think Coloane’s Rua de Cinco de Outubro was also a filming location, but it actually wasn’t. However, this road has appeared in other productions, like the 2006 Korean drama ‘Princess Hours’, where the princess rides a bicycle along a seaside road — that’s Rua de Cinco de Outubro. It’s a wonderfully pleasant road, with a stone embankment and benches. Whether you stroll or just sit, it’s relaxing, with the sea breeze and tranquillity. You can also see Zhuhai across the water, very close — Chimelong Resort is clearly visible, with the distinctive Penguin Hotel. There’s also quite a bit of colourful graffiti along the road, with fun themes mostly related to local life.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: All day
Address: Rua de Cinco de Outubro, Freguesia de São Francisco Xavier, Macau SAR
Transport: Bus to Coloane Market or Coloane Village stop, then walk.
As Macau’s first integrated resort, The Venetian’s fame goes without saying. To the Cotai Strip, The Venetian is as important as the Ruins of St. Paul’s is to the Peninsula — a must-visit on any Macau trip. All three of my visits to Macau included The Venetian, simply because it’s so iconic. Even though it’s modelled after Venice, it has become a Macau trademark. I believe not just three times, but future visits will still draw me back to The Venetian, as if it’s a ritual of Macau travel. My first time, I was stunned by the indoor sky and canals, fulfilling my wish to see Venice before actually going there. Later, after visiting the real Venice, I still think Macau’s Venetian is amazing — everything is so similar, even more polished than the original. Landmarks like St. Mark’s Campanile, the four-leaf clover windows of the Ca’ d’Oro, the iconic Grand Canal, and the pricey gondolas… If you haven’t been to Venice, Italy, but come to The Venetian Macau, don’t feel regretful. The scenery perfectly replicates the real Venice. Arriving by shuttle bus, you step into the hotel lobby. Whether you’re staying or not, it’s worth pausing to admire the ceiling dome and the murals along the corridors. Many people dive straight into the resort after the shuttle, but I recommend taking time to appreciate the exterior too. The outside architecture is like a work of art. The concept of The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel originates from The Venetian Las Vegas, themed after Venice, with signature arched bridges, canals, and cobblestone lanes. When it opened, it was Asia’s largest single hotel building and the world’s second-largest building; it’s Macau’s largest hotel and was voted one of China’s Top Ten Most Glamorous Hotels. Because it’s huge, I suggest downloading the ‘Sands Style’ app for convenience. Inside, signposts are everywhere, and combined with the app’s route guidance, finding restaurants or shops is easy.
The Venetian has many attractions, but the Gondola Ride along the Grand Canal is the most iconic. Walking along the canal is one thing, but gliding in a gondola while the gondolier sings melodious songs is something else entirely. Riding a beautifully crafted, distinctly Venetian gondola, with the gondolier’s beautiful singing, you slowly cruise the canal, savouring its beauty and feeling the romance of Italy. A gondola is a traditional flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, similar to a canoe but narrower. For centuries, gondolas were a common sight and primary means of transport in Venice. These iconic boats once played a crucial role in public transport, serving as ferries on the Grand Canal. Nowadays they’re mainly used to carry tourists and offer an authentic Venetian transport experience. It’s said that in the 17th and 18th centuries there were about eight to ten thousand gondolas. Even now, over four hundred are still in service, nearly all for tourists. I’ve ridden a gondola in Venice, Italy, but the experience wasn’t as good as The Venetian Macau’s. The gondoliers in Venice tend to be quite stern, but here, even with masks, you can feel their enthusiasm. During the ride, the gondoliers also sing famous Italian songs and teach you a few Italian words.
Admission: Weekdays 145 MOP, weekends & holidays 158 MOP; if you have four people, you can hire a private boat. With fewer tourists now, just the two of us got a private boat ride, haha～
Opening hours: There are three canals, but due to the pandemic, currently only the Grand Canal operates, 12:00–20:00.
Address: Level 3, The Grand Canal Shoppes, The Venetian
On this trip, the teamLab SuperNature exhibition was something we were really looking forward to. Created by the art collective teamLab, it’s called a ‘must-see exhibition worldwide’. As the fourth permanent teamLab museum globally, Macau’s teamLab spans 5,000 square metres — the tallest in the world with 8-metre-high ceilings, which makes viewing even more spectacular and visually striking, using immense space to deliver the ultimate immersive experience. Every art installation inside reacts in real time to people’s movements; every second you see is a unique, never-repeating scene. It’s also super photogenic — a casual snap can produce a stunner for your social media. After exploring, I found many installations designed for families, perfect for bringing kids to experience the charm of technology and art. Our baby is still too young, but I so want to bring her — maybe when she’s older～
[Valley of Flowers and People: Lost, Immersed and Reborn] This artwork features multiple seasons existing simultaneously, slowly shifting. Flowers bloom and change locations with the seasons. They are born, grow, bud, bloom, then wither and die, repeating this cycle forever. If you stand still, nearby flowers grow more profusely and continue blooming. If you touch or step on them, the flowers wither and die all at once. The work isn’t a pre-recorded video; it’s rendered in real time by a computer program. The imagery is influenced by people’s behaviour and constantly changes — the scene before you in this moment will never be repeated.
[Animals of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives II] Animals are covered in flowers that grow, bloom, and scatter on their bodies. When people touch the animals, the flowers scatter. When all flowers scatter, the animals disappear.
[Infinite Crystal Universe] This piece creates 3D objects by accumulating light points, like pointillism using coloured dots; it’s an endlessly expanding sculpture of light. Visitors can select elements via smartphone and add them, forming 3D objects, which collectively build the space. The objects influence each other and are affected by the presence of people. The work is constantly being created by the presence of people and is forever changing.
[Expanding Three-Dimensional Existence in Transforming Space – Free Floating, 3 Colors and 9 Blurred Colors] The space is filled with free-floating spheres. People part the spheres and enter the space. As colours continually change, the space shifts between 3D and 2D through the grouping of spheres. When people push or strike them, the spheres change colour and emit a characteristic sound. Nearby spheres react in a chain reaction in three dimensions, spreading the same colour and tone radially.
[Light Sculpture – Plane] Light converges onto a plane, reconfiguring space and forming a three-dimensional sculpture that envelops and immerses the body.
[Graffiti Nature – Lost, Immersed and Reborn, Red List] Everyone draws various creatures, which then inhabit a bowl-shaped world as if the earth were flipped. Draw a creature on paper, and it seems to come alive before you. Creatures eat each other, forming an ecosystem. If your drawn creature eats others, it multiplies; if it temporarily avoids being eaten, it survives, but if preyed upon, it dies. Salamanders eat snakes, snakes eat lizards, lizards eat frogs, frogs eat butterflies — each multiplies. Butterflies flourish where there are flowers. Flowers bloom abundantly where people linger, but wither if trampled. Salamanders also die if people repeatedly trample. This work is based on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, showing local endangered species.
[Colorful Ocean] This sea is where the fish everyone draws swim freely. Draw a fish on paper, and the image, as if infused with life, swims into the ocean before you. When you touch a swimming fish, it flees. When you touch a sack of bait, the fish feast on it. The fish you draw sometimes swim beyond this ocean, crossing borders into other works, swimming throughout the entire museum.
[Hopscotch for Geniuses: Bouncing on Water] This is a hopping game where you jump and land on one foot on various shapes floating on water. Continuously jumping on the same shape produces fish, butterflies, and birds. If you keep jumping, more appear. Also, jumping on the same colour gradually expands that colour. When you touch the fish, butterflies, or birds that spread onto the wall, they turn into particles and vanish.
[A Table where Little People Live] In this installation, little people run along the edge of an interactive table screen. Children can place various objects on the table to interact with them, changing their movement so they jump, climb, or slide.
[A Musical Wall where Little People Live] This wall is inhabited by little people and can play music. The little people run around inside the wall, not noticing us. But when we attach items like mushrooms, trees, or icicles to the wall, they notice and jump on them. Depending on the type of mushroom attached, they start sliding, jumping high, or climbing. If you attach many different items, they play joyfully.
[Reversible Rotation – Black in White] Spatial calligraphy continually rotates in one direction within the space. As a characteristic of the ‘ultra-subjective space’, visually, leftward and rightward rotation are theoretically identical, so it appears to rotate left or right depending on the viewer’s consciousness.
[The World is Born from Darkness, and Still So Lovely and Beautiful] When people touch a Chinese character, the world contained within that character unfolds. Things derived from the character are influenced by their positions, intelligence, relationships, and physical forces, creating a world. For example, when wind blows, flowers and snow are scattered. Birds perch on trees; butterflies are naturally drawn to flowers. Just like a natural landscape, no scene repeats exactly; the artwork presented in this moment will never appear again the same way.
[Blooming Unlimited Life] Flowers repeat birth and death, multiplying; if they multiply too much, they all scatter and die together. When people touch a flower, it also withers and dies.
Initially, I thought this exhibition was just an Instagrammable spot. After experiencing it, I found it not only photogenic but also fun. The technology used delivered many visual surprises. And afterwards, I gained some insights about people, animals, plants, and the world.
Admission: From 188 MOP
Opening hours: 11:00–19:00, last entry 18:15; closed on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. It’s best to check the official website for opening dates in advance so you don’t make a wasted trip.
Address: Hall F, Cotai Expo, The Venetian
Notes: Avoid wearing heeled shoes; ladies avoid short skirts (some floors are mirrored); wear solid-coloured clothing for better light projection effects; no flash or tripods.
The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian is the most outstanding among the four major shopping centres in Sands Resorts Macau. Together with Four Seasons Shoppes, Londoner Shopping Mall, and Parisian Shopping Centre, they form the Sands Shoppes Macau, the largest indoor shopping complex. Hundreds of shops and dining outlets line the Grand Canal, where you can shop and eat to your heart’s content. Goods range from high-end fashion and luxury items to pharmaceuticals. The beautiful ceiling and Venetian décor also make the mall an unmissable attraction. Many people first come to The Grand Canal Shoppes for the scenery — the canal and blue sky are so famous — but once here, beyond photos, they can’t help but shop. Duty-free prices are just too tempting. Around the mall, you’ll also find creative displays set up by some brands. Food options are rich and prices aren’t high.
Opening hours: Sunday–Thursday 10:00–23:00, Friday–Saturday 10:00–24:00.
Address: Level 3, The Venetian
The Four Seasons Shoppes is connected to The Grand Canal Shoppes; both are part of the Sands Shoppes Macau. People visit mainly for luxury goods, with over 150 world-renowned luxury and designer brands, including Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, etc. The interior is lavishly decorated with European opulence. If you have any questions, the concierge service is excellent. Inside, casual photos can easily give off a celebrity street-style vibe. At the entrance, there’s a small fountain that’s also a nice photo spot. On the ground floor is a huge DFS, where I recommend beauty shoppers can check off their lists. If you need a break for food or drinks, you can easily move to the adjacent Grand Canal Shoppes.
Opening hours: Sunday–Thursday 10:00–23:00, Friday–Saturday 10:00–24:00.
Address: Four Seasons Hotel, Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança
For authentic, delicious Japanese cuisine in Macau, Rakuen is spot on. I found this trendy restaurant online and immediately brought my husband, the ultimate Japanese food lover, to try it, located on the first floor of The Venetian. Rakuen is a vibrant, playful Japanese restaurant where master chefs stage the classic culinary traditions of sushi, sashimi, tempura, robatayaki, and teppanyaki. The entrance is very photogenic, with a row of carved wooden windows creating great depth. The restaurant often has a waitlist, but luckily my husband smartly made a reservation. Otherwise, you might only get a counter seat instead of a private room or booth. The interior décor is beautiful, especially the giant mural on the wall — I loved it! Seeing me photograph so seriously (since I wanted to document for my travel journal), the staff started explaining and even gave me a tour of the entire restaurant. There are private rooms for larger groups, with round tables or teppanyaki grills. This time it was just the two of us, but next time with friends we could book a room. Now onto the dishes!
Fried Japanese silverfish with seaweed salt: A great starter, crispy and tasty.
Assorted sashimi platter: Extremely fresh ingredients, wonderful texture.
Plum assorted sushi platter: Their sushi rice is special — slightly red, probably mixed with a special sauce, delicious. The sushi rice already contains a little wasabi, even better than dipping separately. The accompanying ginger was superb; they say it’s not store-bought but homemade by the head chef. Honestly, at many Japanese meals I ignore the ginger, but here it was excellent — perfect for cleansing the palate between different sushi.
Mixed vegetable teppanyaki: The garlic chips in this were particularly tasty.
Japanese tea-kettle soup: I thought it was a pot of tea, but actually a broth, sweet and flavoursome. Pour the soup to drink, then open the lid to eat the contents.
Miso soup: Simple but no less meticulous.
Drinks: My husband ordered Sapporo beer; I had Yuzu Shiso. If you don’t want alcohol, Yuzu Shiso is a good choice.
Yuzu fruit dessert: The freshness of yuzu keeps the dessert from being cloying.
Tofu cheesecake: Incredibly rich and smooth.
At the end of the meal, they present house-made nougat and chocolates, in a lovely box that comes in four seasonal colours.
Average spend: around 600 MOP
Opening hours: 18:00–22:30, Monday to Thursday.
Address: Shop 1048, Level 1, The Venetian
Rakuen Ramen and Rakuen Japanese Cuisine are actually the same establishment, with a dedicated shop just for ramen. We were put onto it by a staff member while dining at Rakuen Japanese Cuisine. Ramen is only served at lunch, so we specially went back one lunchtime. Rakuen Ramen tells the legendary story of master Hiroshi Kagata, who travelled across Japan to create extraordinary ramen. The brand story is fun — I won’t spoil it here, so discovering it when you visit will be more entertaining. Rakuen Ramen is also a trendy spot and often has queues. Its waiting area is uniquely decorated with giant pebbles. The ramen area also has a giant mural, but the comic style is completely different from the Japanese cuisine side. The placemat is a comic strip telling the story of how master Kagata started his ramen shop. We ordered the grilled wagyu ramen and spicy pork bone ramen, both signatures. I won’t elaborate too much on the taste — it’s certainly delicious. But I must mention the gyoza — even after eating many gyōza in Japan, none were as good as these!
Average spend: around 150 MOP
Opening hours: 12:00–15:00
Address: Next to Rakuen Japanese Cuisine, Shop 1048, Level 1, The Venetian
Imperial House Dim Sum brings together chefs from across China to prepare local specialty dishes and handcrafted dim sum, with Hong Kong-style food being the highlight. Its long opening hours make it suitable for breakfast or supper. The décor is classically Chinese and elegant; the wall decorations make you feel like you’ve stepped into a museum. Their Hong Kong-style dishes are excellent and full of flavour, with an extensive menu. If you’re with a larger group, order more dim sum and dishes to sample; with just the two of us, we had rice and noodles — a bit of a ‘waste’.
Average spend: around 100 MOP
Opening hours: 24 hours
Address: Shop 1042, Level 1, The Venetian
For this Macau trip, we treated it like a honeymoon, and the Parisian was the most fitting for that theme — incredibly romantic. For us, who have been to Paris, France, we felt that you don’t even need to go to Paris for romance; The Parisian in Macau is enough. It’s a shining star in Macau and Asia, letting visitors savour the unique art and charm of the ‘City of Light’. There are about 2,500 French-style rooms and suites, plus the Eiffel Tower built at half scale, offering a unique romantic experience. You can enjoy shopping at luxury boutiques, classic French cuisine, dazzling entertainment, and attractions like the Aqua World and Kids’ Kingdom… Experience romance and surprises everywhere like a true Parisian! The property replicates Parisian scenery inside and out, with over 20 Paris-inspired landmarks, such as the French hotel portico, Arc de Triomphe, gardens, fountains, labyrinth, and pool; indoors there’s a façade in the style of the Opéra de Paris, lobby fountain, promenade, and bronze Neptune Fountain. The half-scale Eiffel Tower is the favourite landmark. The hotel exterior is modelled after the Palace of Versailles — intricate by day, as glittering as the Hall of Mirrors by night. The 35-metre-high lobby ceiling with its magnificent frescoed dome, lifelike art sculptures, and majestic marble columns inevitably remind one of Haussmann’s Galeries Lafayette. The hand-painted murals in reception and concierge, inspired by the Louvre, depict episodes from Napoleon’s life, making you feel like you’re in Paris. The Neptune Fountain is an iconic symbol of France’s maritime and industrial revival, decorated with sculptures of the Mediterranean and fishing, combining elements of the Rhine, the Rhône, grapes, and wheat. The replica stands in the rotunda of the main lobby on the ground floor; to recreate it with the highest fidelity, an international professional design team worked for over a year and used more than 20 tons of clay.
Search Macau on any platform today, and the Eiffel Tower pops up first. The best spot to photograph its exterior is the Parisian Garden opposite the hotel. Those stunning internet-famous shots are all taken here. The garden is free; just cross the road from The Parisian. Facing the tower and the Versailles-like hotel, you get a full panoramic view. Inside the garden, a few classic photo spots: the bench beside the lawn — sitting there looking at the tower enhances the mood. It had just rained when we visited, so the bench was too wet to sit on, but I still want to share it. On the lawn directly in front of the tower, you can walk casually while being snapped — it creates a great street-style vibe. Use a wide-angle lens for longer legs and a taller tower. On sunny days, you can even sit on the lawn for a picnic-themed shoot. Or simply stand a bit further away, use a wide aperture for a close-up with the tower blurred in the background — that’s lovely too. On both sides of the garden, there are plant mazes — another popular spot. Standing among the plants adds depth to the photo.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: 10:00–20:00
Address: Directly opposite The Parisian
After taking trendy photos at the garden, we went up the Eiffel Tower right around dusk because that’s when the light is best. Paris, the ‘City of Light’, is famous for romance, and the Eiffel Tower represents that to countless people — a symbol of love and romance, witnessing millions of romantic declarations and love stories. Now, all this can be experienced at The Parisian Macau. The Macau Eiffel Tower is carefully constructed at half scale, letting us enjoy Parisian romantic ambience right here. From the 7th and 37th-floor observation decks, you can take in the whole Cotai Strip and Macau scenery. Entering the tower attraction, you first come to the Love Locks Bridge, a lovers’ romantic spot. Modelled after the Pont des Arts in Paris, the bridge immerses you in Parisian romance. For romantic couple photos, try this angle: stand at the end of the railing facing the tower, one on each side, looking at each other. You can also buy a love lock at the Eiffel Tower souvenir shop on the 5th floor, write your declaration, and secure it to the bridge, hoping your two hearts will always be linked. If you’re a fan of Zhu Zhengting, try to find the lock he left～ The bridge is on the 7th-floor deck. Then take the lift to the 37th-floor observation deck, where the entire Cotai Strip unfolds — The Venetian, The Parisian, The Londoner… the whole Sands Resorts area. Looking down at the Parisian from this angle is even more enchanting. While on the 37th floor, look down — there are a few spots with openings in the floor; point your phone camera through them for a vertigo-inducing vertical view of the tower, quite thrilling. After coming down from the 37th floor, we lingered on the 7th-floor deck to catch the light show. Every night from 18:15 to 23:00, every 15 minutes, the dazzling Eiffel Tower light show is undeniably the brightest jewel on the Cotai Strip, lighting up the night.
Admission: Currently, the 7th-floor deck is free; 37th-floor deck: 75 MOP per person (free for children under 1.2m).
Opening hours: 14:00–22:00, depending on weather; last entry 21:15.
Address: Main entrance via The Parisian Shopping Centre, Level 5, Eiffel Tower souvenir shop.
Paris is a world-renowned shopping destination — Avenue Montaigne, Champs-Élysées, Place Vendôme, Rue Saint-Honoré are all romantic and charming. The Parisian Shopping Centre in Macau replicates them. With 170 duty-free shops offering the latest season’s fashion and accessories, it connects to other Sands shopping centres via pedestrian walkways, forming a mega shopping paradise of over 850 duty-free stores, bringing together global trends. The décor truly makes you feel like you’re on the Champs-Élysées. Compared to other Sands Shoppes, The Parisian’s offerings tend to be youthful and fashionable. Near the main lobby, you’ll also find luxury brand boutiques.
Opening hours: Sunday–Thursday 10:00–23:00, Friday–Saturday 10:00–24:00.
Lotus Palace brings together exquisite Chinese dishes from across the country; you can enjoy classic Cantonese fare, regional Chinese cuisines, or the premium seafood hotpot. The ambience is superb, sumptuously elegant. In this spacious, stylish setting, savour fresh and flavourful seafood, classic Cantonese, creative dim sum, and authentic Chinese dishes — delicate and abundant without losing authentic flavours. They use carefully selected premium ingredients, meticulously prepared by master chefs to ensure a feast for the palate. Now, let’s dive into the dishes～
Honey-glazed tomatoes: A starter that already made me want to give this restaurant a thumbs-up. Plump and juicy, with a sweet-and-sour taste. Paired with vinegar jelly — incredibly appetite-opening.
Honey-glazed fruitwood-smoked fish: Processed through several steps, lastly lightly smoked with fruitwood. Crispy outside, tender fish inside. Sweet and sour with a subtle fruity wood aroma — it tasted like spring.
Stir-fried prawns with pumpkin cream sauce: Rich pumpkin broth with cream, flavourful but not greasy at all. The prawns were first-rate — fresh and large.
Pineapple sweet-and-sour black pork: Tangy and crispy, a dish so good you want to eat every bit of the garnishes too.
Poached greens in fish broth with assorted mushrooms: Sweet soup, with all ingredient flavours perfectly blending together.
Lotus Palace signature fried rice: An opulent fried rice with abundant toppings — every mouthful packed with varied ingredients, grains distinct. My husband is very particular about staple foods, and he gave this signature fried rice a thumbs-up.
Whole coconut stew with peach gum: Not only delicious but beautifully presented. Served in a coconut shell set in a bird’s nest — worth ordering for the look alone.
Mango pomelo sago: Trendy dessert, thick and rich with mango flavour.
The complimentary petit fours after the meal were just as meticulous.
For drinks, I had the Royal Garden and my husband had Macau Beer. When in Macau, if you want beer, you naturally try Macau Beer. If you don’t want alcohol, the Royal Garden non-alcoholic cocktail is a good choice.
Average spend: around 600 MOP
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 12:00–15:00, 18:00–22:30; Sat, Sun & public holidays 11:00–15:00, 18:00–22:30.
Address: Shop 3316, Level 3, The Parisian
The Londoner only appeared this year — it’s the newest Instagram hotspot in Macau. That’s why this trip I was so excited about The Londoner. All those trendy spots I’d seen online, I wanted to tick them all off. The Londoner Macau is not just a hotel; in fact, it’s a resort gathering five hotels with over 6,000 luxurious rooms, including The Londoner Hotel, Londoner Court, Conrad, St. Regis, and Sheraton. It’s a newly opened integrated resort this year, with an investment of 15.2 billion MOP and so many highlights. Even if you’ve been to Macau before, it’s worth another trip just for The Londoner. Its exterior design is inspired by the Palace of Westminster and the Houses of Parliament; the main entrance is a glass-and-iron porte-cochère modelled after the old Victoria Station, flanked by two Landseer lions cast in aluminium alloy and bronze at one-quarter scale of the originals in Trafalgar Square. Passing through the porte-cochère, you enter The Londoner’s core — the Crystal Palace, a must-photograph spot. Street performers appear every hour on the hour in the Crystal Palace. The Beefeater guarding Big Ben invites visitors for photos — don’t be shy, snap away. The English Tea Party is a fixed art installation — giant teacups you can sit inside for photos. Sometimes you might even encounter elegantly dressed ladies in lavish tea party attire from London, and you can take pictures with them. The London Explore Taxi is a free attraction — ride with Beckham in an iconic black cab around London. During this fun journey, you greet the British superstar, who takes you through the streets of London to his favourite spots. Don’t forget to take a photo with him at the end～ The Londoner Moments are various art installations giving visitors a London-style experience, each with a story; capture unforgettable memories with your lens.
The Crystal Palace is the heart of The Londoner and, though newly opened, has already attracted many celebrities for photos. It stands 33 metres high — about 10 storeys — with a lofty design that makes the entire lobby feel spacious and like a London street. Mainly built from glass and iron, with marble paving, the intricately designed ceiling highlights the exquisite Victorian architectural style. In the centre stands a full-size replica of the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain from Piccadilly Circus. At its top is Anteros, the god of requited love and twin brother of Cupid, representing selfless dedication. The railing is adorned with delicate lion sculptures. Besides looking up at the exquisite glass ceiling, look around — the Crystal Palace also displays classic sculptures and paintings.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: All day
Address: The Londoner Lobby
Outside The Londoner, on the pedestrian bridge connecting to the Four Seasons Shoppes — called the Star Bridge — there are many London-themed photo spots too. Just like London Bridge over the Thames, you’ll see a similar spectacle on the Star Bridge. Cross the bridge to enter The Londoner. Who knew the London Underground could be brought to the Star Bridge — the red accents are unmistakably London～ Red telephone boxes, seen countless times in movies, celebrity street snaps, and posters, are a quintessential London element. They say when you travel to London, you must take a photo with a red telephone box — now you can do that on the Star Bridge.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: All day
Address: Star Bridge connecting The Londoner and Four Seasons Shoppes
After browsing The Grand Canal Shoppes, Four Seasons Shoppes, Londoner Shopping Mall, and Parisian Shopping Centre, I realised each has its own distinct style — different environments, different feelings. Many brands overlap, but each mall has its exclusive items, so I recommend visiting all of them. The Londoner Shopping Mall houses over 150 stores, offering a unique ambience for a distinguished shopping experience. It presents a bustling scene reminiscent of London’s classic shopping districts and stylish boutiques, appealing to luxury fashion lovers and those wanting to spend quality time with friends and family. Beyond shopping, the escalators, projecting balconies, and various sculptures make great photo backdrops～
Churchill’s Table, to the left of the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, is The Londoner’s hottest restaurant and a trendy spot across Macau. It’s an all-day dining venue with a British theme. The wildly popular Alice in Wonderland-themed fantasy afternoon tea is said to be booked up until year’s end, only available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during tea time. Even though we couldn’t enjoy the trendy afternoon tea, we didn’t want to miss this popular restaurant. After all, its extensive menu lets us experience London on our tongues. Inspired by the famously food-loving Winston Churchill, the restaurant offers a sumptuous international breakfast buffet, Mediterranean-style lunch and dinner à la carte, traditional English afternoon tea, and a special dessert experience during dinner hours. The interior brims with London ambience. Although I’ve never been to London, dining at Churchill’s Table felt like being in a London restaurant. There are displays telling the history of gastronomy. If you’re lucky, you might spot costumed Londoners strolling through — it felt like attending a London cocktail party. As a trendy restaurant, the food is naturally excellent; let’s savour each dish.
House-cured gin & grapefruit smoked Scottish salmon: Thick slices with great texture, paired with grapefruit for a fresh note.
Lobster Tikka Masala: Thin-crust pizza, crispy; the sauce was fantastic — slightly spicy with a hint of sweetness.
Caramelised BBQ ribs: Beautifully roasted with deeply infused sauce; this was my husband’s favourite of the meal. It came with a bowl of pearl pasta — kids would likely love it.
Crispy roast duck: If you thought the ribs were the star, the crispy roast duck is the superstar — a whole duck with generous portions. It’s completely different from the Beijing duck we’re used to, well worth trying. After it arrives, staff help carve it. It comes with honey-glazed radish and watercress salad; the radish was super delicious — I’d order it on its own.
Cornish crab linguine: Al dente pasta with a rich, creamy crab sauce.
The bread basket deserves a special shout-out. The butter served came in two flavours — one rich, one slightly spicy.
Not Your Usual Tea: This dessert is a magic trick — the box appears empty the first time you open it, then close and reopen to reveal a gold coin, made of edible gold leaf with cream inside. And the ‘tea’ isn’t tea at all — it’s cake.
Bubble Bath: I have to admire how exquisite their desserts are. Cute little rubber ducky made of chocolate; the bubbles are lemon-flavoured, beneath which is mango ice cream.
For drinks, we had Berrylicious and Passion Fruit Chilli Soda — both great, give them a try.
I’m truly envious of those who can book the trendy afternoon tea～
After your meal, don’t rush off — browse the Churchill’s Table retail shop. The London-inspired retail section sells house-made chocolates, cookies, cakes, confectionery, pastries, jams, honey, and more. Worth picking up some to take home. The chocolate mousse inspired by the Queen’s crown, the cake shaped like a British gentleman’s hat, the soft blueberry cheesecake… all so yummy～
Average spend: around 600 MOP
Opening hours: Breakfast Mon–Fri 07:00–10:30, weekends 07:00–11:00; lunch 12:00–15:00; afternoon tea 15:00–18:00; dinner 18:00–00:00; dessert set 20:00–23:30; coffee 08:00–22:00; retail 08:00–22:00; bar 18:00–00:00.
Address: Level 1, The Londoner
Overall, there are many benefits to visiting Macau now — many hotels, restaurants, and shops within Sands Resorts offer discounts. Compared to before, now is truly the best time to travel to Macau. Since 23 September 2020, all mainland residents can resume applying for Macau endorsements. I’ll briefly explain using my city, Nanchang. Make an appointment via the Jiangxi Public Security Exit-Entry Administration official WeChat account, then go at the appointed time. I went to the Nanchang Public Security Bureau Exit-Entry Administration reception hall in Honggutan. The whole process was simple — get a number, fill a form, pay — done in about ten to twenty minutes. After a week, you can pick up your travel permit with the new endorsement.
Now, with a valid negative nucleic acid test within 7 days, no quarantine is needed when travelling to Macau. Two-way quarantine-free is incredibly convenient. You can take the test in your place of residence or in Zhuhai. To be safe and fully prepared, we did it in Nanchang. Actually, it’s very easy to do in Zhuhai; during our trip we met many tourists who said they did it right there. If you don’t want to retest, you need to return within 7 days. If the timing doesn’t work out and your test is older than 7 days when leaving Macau, getting retested in Macau is easy — The Venetian even has a testing point. Many hospitals in Nanchang can do tests, but Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital is probably the cheapest — 65 yuan, no registration fee. Book a time on the hospital’s official WeChat account, then go to the testing station. Queueing and the test took less than five minutes. I’ve done it several times; the electronic report is available on your phone by evening. Once it’s on your phone, the self-service machine in the hospital lobby can print a paper copy simultaneously. For official stamp, you need to go during working hours to the service counter on the ground floor. So we went back the next day, got the paper report and stamped it. Actually, when travelling to Macau now, the electronic nucleic acid report is sufficient — it can be queried online. You don’t need a paper copy or a stamp. We brought the paper and stamp just in case, but in the end, it was unnecessary.
To convert to the Macau green health code, use the ‘Yue Sheng Shi’ mini program. After arriving in Zhuhai, you can first get the Guangdong health code (Yuekang code). Enter the mini program, click ‘Customs Clearance Certificate’, and go to the Guangdong-Macau clearance page. Choose Guangdong→Macau, fill in the required info, and you’ll get a green code. At customs, you need to scan this green code. Your nucleic acid test result will be displayed directly under the code, so you don’t need the paper report. If it doesn’t show, staff will direct you to another counter, where you can show the paper or electronic report, and they’ll help you manually upload it. Then you’ll see a button next to the green code to convert to the Macau health code. Click it, fill in the details, and you’ll get the Macau health code. This Macau health code is required at many shopping centres and attractions; it’s valid for 24 hours, so screenshotting it is convenient. I recommend using the Hengqin Port — it’s more convenient because it’s a joint immigration and customs clearance, eliminating many complicated steps; you can clear in about ten to fifteen minutes. Also, if you’re staying in Taipa, Hengqin is only about a ten-minute shuttle bus ride away. Returning to Zhuhai from Macau is even easier — the Macau health code will indicate you can use the self-service channels for entry/exit, so you just scan your travel permit, fingerprint, and face, then scan a Yuekang green code when entering Zhuhai.
Now when travelling, pandemic safety is a big concern. One reason more people are travelling to Macau is the excellent epidemic prevention work. A large part of my itinerary was in the Sands Resorts area, where prevention measures are thorough — reportedly, over 600 staff members disinfect every 24 hours. That really set our minds at ease. Lifts, escalators, and moving walkways are disinfected every 2 hours. At restaurants, they provide disposable mask storage bags. In-room dining service notes that everything on the trolley has been thoroughly disinfected. There are many more examples — temperature scanners are everywhere in the resort. At high-touch areas, you constantly see staff disinfecting. I even felt my own home might not be as clean and safe — truly reassuring.
Flying directly to Macau is most convenient, and there are often promotions on round-trip flights making it very affordable. However, not every city has direct flights; Nanchang doesn’t, so we flew to Zhuhai and then on to Macau. Many people choose to fly to Zhuhai because flights are plentiful and not expensive. From Zhuhai airport to Macau, there are various transportation options and it’s quite easy. Transport within Macau is convenient, and since the city is compact, costs aren’t too high. For travel between border checkpoints and hotels, free shuttle buses are available — many hotels offer them, and even if your destination is near those hotels, you can use the free shuttles. For short distances, if you’re with three or four people, a taxi can be cost-effective split per person. For longer distances between Taipa and the Peninsula, buses are economical.
I remember my first visit to Macau, hotel prices were so steep I opted for a day trip without staying overnight. The second time, I stayed but on a budget. Now, you absolutely must stay in Macau because hotels are incredibly good value. With what used to cover a basic hotel, you can now stay at luxury resorts like The Venetian or The Parisian. Staying just one night and experiencing top-class service is fantastic. Actually, I recommend staying more nights because many hotels offer further discounts for multi-night stays, making it even more worthwhile.
There are many Sands hotels I’d love to try, but I still have a soft spot for The Venetian — I wanted to stay there on my first visit but never could. Now, with low prices, it was time to splurge and fulfil that dream. As for The Parisian, The Londoner… I’ll unlock them one by one on future trips! At The Venetian, I chose the Luxury Royal Suite, decorated with a gondola-inspired theme, bringing a pure Venetian experience. King bed, separate living room, marble bathroom… let us thoroughly enjoy a luxurious resort experience. The large mirror at the entrance facing the marble bathroom is perfect for photos. I regret not putting on the bathrobe and wrapping a towel for an even better vibe. The twin vanity, spacious bathroom, and elegant dressing table completed the suite.
