The Black Sand Beach Loved by Macau's Youth, Perhaps You've Never Heard of It
Want to go hiking, swimming, and camping in Macau? For Macau locals, it's not a problem, but for outbound tourists, it may never have been tried, and it sounds like a niche choice. Camping in Macau is not just about saving money, but about getting close to the countryside of the Macau Peninsula and trying a different way of traveling abroad.
Casinos, shopping, the Ruins of St. Paul's, and dozens of World Heritage sites—Macau seems to be all about cultural attractions, everything centered around the meeting of Chinese and Western cultures, the collision of past and present. In fact, Macau's youth, tired of the city and crowds, also have a way to get close to nature: go camping, swimming, and barbecue in the country parks, like an outdoor party, niche and budget-friendly. If you want to know where the best outdoor camping spots in Macau are, Hac Sa Beach Park is the top choice for Macau locals.
The crescent-shaped Hac Sa Beach is Macau's largest natural beach. Old-timers in Macau like to call it "Da Wan" (Big Bay). The sand is naturally black, stretching 1,350 meters of jet-black beach. One theory says the black fine sand is formed from secondary minerals washed ashore from the seabed, another says it's weathered volcanic rock from an eruption. At first, the black sand may seem a bit unfamiliar, but the seawater is still clear. Once you psychologically accept the black sand, gently rubbing it with your feet, you can feel its warm smoothness.
As early as the 1990s, "Walking on Waves at Hac Sa" was already one of the famous "Eight Scenes of Macau." Over time, the black sand has been worn down by the waves. To protect Hac Sa Beach, the local authorities have transported some yellow sand to cover it, so the surface no longer looks as jet-black as before, but underneath it's even darker. In summer and on holidays, Hac Sa Beach is bustling with crowds. Locals love to spend weekends here, families with children walking on the waves on the black sand, picnicking happily in the casuarina forest.
The Hac Sa Beach camping ground is one of the few excellent campsites in China. It's not on the beach itself, but behind the casuarina forest, enclosed by a wire fence. The campsite is lush with green grass, eliminating the hassle of sand getting into the tent. Small tent platforms are two square meters, suitable for a two-person tent. Large platforms are three square meters, fitting a family of four. Each tent platform is elevated above the ground, so even if it rains, you won't face the embarrassing situation of "flooding the army." The camping area is divided into three zones: A, B, and C, accommodating a total of 288 people. Together with the barbecue area, it is equipped with toilets, showers, and other facilities, making it the largest campsite in Macau.
No cooking is allowed in the tent camping and picnic areas, but among the trees facing the sea and mountains, there are over 60 barbecue pits, stone benches, and stone tables—the barbecue area of Hac Sa Beach Park. During peak season, the area is filled with a bustling and tempting aroma: burning charcoal, various ingredients, grilling, steaming, and boiling, all amidst swirling smoke. However, since the pandemic, this grand scene surpassing the bustle of Macau's city center is no more.
If you crave the natural environment of Hac Sa Beach but find it too troublesome to bring a big backpack and tent to Macau, you can stay at the youth hostel. At the right end of Hac Sa Beach, there is Hac Sa Youth Hostel, with great views and reasonable prices. You can also walk to nearby Dragon's Claw Cape to watch the sunrise. It has long been a must-visit spot for backpackers from around the world coming to Macau.
Hac Sa Beach Park also has sports areas: volleyball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, a mini golf course, Hac Sa Water Sports Centre, and a swimming pool—everything you need. Of course, camping at Hac Sa Beach Park and some sports activities charge fees, but strolling in the park and swimming at the beach are free.
If you don't want to walk on the beach, just taking a walk on the path is also pleasant. There are four groups of sculptures in Hac Sa Beach Park that make great photo spots. The most eye-catching is a stainless steel sculpture in Western freehand style called "Mermaid Chasing Waves" on the beach viewing platform, depicting a young man and woman dancing with angelfish in the sea. At the park entrance, "Two Children Playing with Fish" is a typical Eastern sculpture: a Chinese child riding a carp and a Portuguese child riding a dolphin playing. Inside the park, there are also a bronze "Sea Lion" and a granite "Dolphin," favorites among children.
If you like hiking, take a trail from the barbecue area; in half an hour you can reach Hac Sa Reservoir and the Country Park. Turn left from the main gate of Hac Sa Beach Park, and you can walk to the century-old Hac Sa Village to visit Tai Wong Temple. Hac Sa Village is one of only two ancient villages in Macau today. Nearby the Hac Sa archaeological site, many Neolithic artifacts such as painted pottery, sand-tempered pottery fragments, stone adzes, and stone grinders have been unearthed.
In front of the park, there are restaurants, two small grocery stores, and barbecue stalls, suitable for campers who don't want to cook. When you don't feel like barbecuing, you can try the Portuguese cuisine at Fernando's Restaurant. Fried codfish (bacalhau), garlic prawns, and clams are popular choices. The restaurant's walls are adorned with currencies from various countries, which also attracts many people to dine there.
At the left end of Hac Sa Beach, the stepped building is the Macau Grand Coloane Resort. Next to it is the Macau Golf and Country Club, perfect for a relaxing vacation without worries. Near the beach, there are two Portuguese restaurants. Sitting on the outdoor seats, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Hac Sa Beach. The creamy Portuguese clams, octopus salad, grilled sardines, and seafood rice at Macau Seafood Authentic Portuguese Restaurant are very popular among diners.
In the past, when I first went to Macau, I thought of nothing but the neon lights of casinos, or churches and historical relics. I felt that life in Macau was just a back-and-forth between splendor and historical sediment. But after visiting Hac Sa Beach, I discovered it's a place to steal a moment away from work, a release for youth, a gathering spot for families. Only then did I realize that this city also has residents, young people, ordinary families, and lives.
If you travel to Macau, don't just think about shopping and entertainment. Why not try being a backpacker on an overseas trip, have a family trip in Macau, or have a romantic little gathering with a few friends on Macau's beach? Backpackers camping at Hac Sa Beach may not necessarily be poor, but those who backpack to the international city of Macau on a budget are definitely traveling with a young heart.
Travel Tips for Hac Sa Beach Park in Macau:
1. Macau public buses 15, 21A, and 26A go directly there.
2. To stay at Hac Sa Youth Hostel, you must be a member of Hostelling International to make a reservation; your membership will be checked upon check-in.
3. You can apply for camping on-site with a Macau ID card, tourist passport, or Hong Kong-Macau Travel Permit. Check-in time is 12:00–17:00, and daily checkout time from the campsite is 11:00. On holidays, it's best to make a reservation in advance on the Macau Natural Network, at least 15 working days in advance. Reservations from any profit-making groups or individuals are not accepted. Camping fees are charged per person: Macau residents pay MOP 20 per person, non-Macau residents pay MOP 50 per person. Cleaning time is 11:00–17:00 on Mondays and Fridays; everyone must leave the campsite. Campsite lights and other lighting facilities must be turned off by 23:00. The campsite will suspend service during thunderstorm warnings and typhoon signal No. 3 or above; those already checked in must also evacuate. Due to the pandemic, the campsite is temporarily closed; please check before camping.
Part of this travelogue is excerpted from the latest book by the traveler Lao Hu, "No Work, Go to the Islands: The Blue Love Song of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area." Without the consent of the author and the publisher, no one is allowed to publish the text and images of this travelogue (including but not limited to screenshots, screen captures, conversion to video, etc.) in any name.
