2023 Macau Four-Day Independent Travel
This independent trip involved staying in Macau for 4 nights and 3.5 days. I have organized my experiences into six categories: 'Eating/Accommodation/Transportation/Sightseeing/Shopping/Entertainment' and share them below. The TV is showing 'Macau Double Lines', which introduces tour routes from two perspectives: 'Everyday Flavors' and 'Exquisite Rituals'. You can do some homework in advance.
When I talk about eating here, I mainly refer to local specialty snacks rather than lavish meals or buffets. I personally recommend eating at street stalls when visiting Macau—they offer good value for money, allow you to experience local customs, and let you try many types of food.
1.1 Geographically speaking, there are many places to eat on the Macau Peninsula, with the area around Ruins of St. Paul being the most concentrated. In Taipa, Rua do Cunha is sufficient.
1.2 In terms of food categories, they mainly focus on these six themes: 'Beef Offal', 'Pork Chop Bun', 'Portuguese Egg Tart', 'Mochi', 'Coffee/Milk', and 'Portuguese Cuisine'. Of course, there are other themes, but I will focus on the key ones here. There are many online resources recommending restaurants for each theme, so I won't repeat them here. I will just share some personal feelings. There are many stores with the same name in Macau, and quite a few don't seem to be chain-related, but the overall quality is more or less the same. So if you're not particularly picky, you can just eat wherever you go, without having to queue at popular spots.
1.2.1 Beef Offal: Top recommendations include 'Wing Kei' and 'Old Day'. A bowl usually costs around 80-100 MOP, with generous portions that can fill two people about 80% full. There is a 'Wing Kei' next to the Ruins of St. Paul, and 'Old Day' is at the entrance of Rua do Cunha.
1.2.2 Pork Chop Bun: The most classic one is from 'Tai Lei Loi Kei'. Turn left at the first intersection at the entrance of Rua do Cunha; the shop is a bit hidden and not easy to find. A large pork chop with buttered bread costs around 60 MOP. It looks like a hamburger but is better, and one person might feel quite full after eating it.
1.2.3 Portuguese Egg Tart: As the name suggests, it's a Portuguese-style egg tart. It was adapted from a traditional Portuguese dessert by a British man named Andrew, who first introduced it in 1989 at 'Lord Stow's Bakery' in Coloane, becoming very popular. So Coloane can be considered the birthplace of Portuguese egg tarts. Friends staying in Taipa can take a bus there. Perhaps due to its fame, the bus stop is conveniently located right next to the bakery. A pack of 6 tarts costs a certain amount. After buying, you can cross the street and sit by the river to enjoy them while looking across at Hengqin, which is less than 100 meters away, and you can clearly see Chimelong.
1.2.4 Mochi: It is somewhat similar to daifuku. The fillings include red bean, durian, kiwi, mango, etc. The skin is chewy and the filling is smooth. There is a 'Cheung Chau Ping Kee' behind the Ruins of St. Paul.
1.2.5 Coffee/Milk: A distinctive one is the 'Wok Coffee' from 'Century Coffee' on Rua do Cunha, which is bottled in ordinary plastic bottles, giving it a vintage feel, but the taste is rich and aromatic. For milk-related products, I recommend 'Yee Shun Milk Company'. They have their own dairy farm, handling everything from milk production to processing. Their double-skin milk with red beans and ginger milk curd are the most classic. There are two branches at Senado Square, so you can have a bowl before heading to the Ruins of St. Paul.
1.2.6 Portuguese Cuisine: Personally, I think the soul of Portuguese cuisine lies in the sauce. If the sauce is well-prepared, it's about 70% successful. I ate at 'Fook Loong Portuguese Cuisine' in the Broadway of Galaxy Hotel in Taipa. I highly recommend their seafood risotto. Although it costs 300 MOP, it's worth the price. Prawns, clams, squid, and cod are cooked together in one pot, with a layer of rice underneath, paired with the signature sauce—fresh, savory, sweet, and endlessly enjoyable.
1.2.7 There are many other types of Macau cuisine. I also recommend beef balls and fish balls. In short, everyone has their own preferences. In the streets and alleys of Macau, you can always find something you love.
Before going, make sure to check the business hours carefully to avoid a wasted trip. Most restaurants open after 10 AM, some even at noon, and some close in the afternoon.
Many shops do not allow outside food to be brought in, even if you are a customer.
Many of the local snack shops mentioned above do not have seating, so you have to eat while walking or simply sit on the roadside and enjoy your meal regardless of others.
Hotels in Macau are not cheap. Mid-to-high-end rooms are over 1,000 MOP per night. Generally, hotels in Taipa are newer, more luxurious, and closer to the airport, but also more expensive.
2.1 If you don't mind spending money and want high quality, I recommend high-end hotels in Taipa like The Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, etc. For the wealthy, you can choose The Londoner Macao, where you can directly see Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower of The Parisian, and The Venetian from your room.
2.2 If you want to walk less and experience the old city atmosphere up close, you can choose hotels on the west side of the peninsula, such as Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to the area around Ruins of St. Paul.
2.3 If you are looking for value for money, you can choose hotels around the Macau Fisherman's Wharf on the east side of the peninsula. You can also see the sea view, and it takes about half an hour to walk to the old city. This is suitable for those who enjoy walking. There are also bus stops near the hotels.
Some people may be torn between staying on the peninsula or in Taipa. Personally, I think it depends on your itinerary. Follow the principle of proximity. You can also stay in one hotel throughout, and you might get a return coupon. It's best to choose a hotel with many free shuttle bus routes and close to bus stops.
On the peninsula, I chose the 'L'Arc Hotel Seaview' at 700 MOP per night. The advantage is the sea view, and the disadvantage is that it is far from the old city areas like Ruins of St. Paul, but there are buses right outside. In Taipa, I chose the 'Lisboeta Macau - L'Occitane' at 1,300 MOP per night. The advantage is that it is cheaper compared to other luxury hotels in Taipa, and it is a new hotel. The disadvantage is that it is a bit far from the luxury hotels, requiring about a 15-minute walk to visit.
The earlier you book, the cheaper the hotel price. But pay attention to the cancellation and change policy.
Friday/Saturday/Sunday are peak prices, at least 300 MOP higher than other days. The more luxurious the hotel, the greater the increase. Tuesday/Wednesday are usually the low points.
The more days you book, the cheaper the per-night price.
Transportation in Macau is generally not cheap, so I will focus on cost-effectiveness here.
3.1 There are many ways to get to Macau: direct flights, land border crossings, ferries, etc. I chose a direct flight because Air Macau had a special buy-one-get-one-free ticket promotion, with round-trip tickets as low as 1,360 RMB per person.
At the same time, Air Macau offers other benefits. At The Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, and The Venetian Macao, you can redeem gifts (e.g., canvas bags at The Londoner) and coupons (e.g., buy-one-get-one-free on outdoor gondola rides at The Venetian) with your Air Macau boarding pass. Additionally, collecting stamps from all three hotels can get you a 100 MOP voucher per person, which can be used at the hotel's restaurants or shopping areas. For specific information, check the official WeChat account.
Those who enjoy walking can skip the following, as walking is more fun. Macau's area is roughly the size of Beijing's Xicheng District, but don't underestimate this area. Due to road design, many places that are close in straight-line distance require longer walks. Be aware.
3.2 Taxis in Macau are relatively expensive. The starting fare is about 20 MOP, and the fare increases by 2 MOP per increment. Every time it jumps, you'll hear a beep, which feels like a painful sound... A 30-minute ride costs about the same as a mid-range buffet. Moreover, as tourist numbers recover, taxi queues at major hotels are long, and waiting times are longer. You can also download the 'Taxi' app for online booking.
3.3 Buses cost 6 MOP per person regardless of the number of stops. You need to prepare plenty of small change in advance. There are MOP exchange machines at the airport and border crossings, as well as manual exchange counters with service fees.
3.4 Here's the key: the shuttle buses of major hotels are not to be missed. They are free for all passengers, regardless of whether you are a hotel guest. They usually run every 20 minutes, mainly connecting hotels, but also serving popular areas like Macau Tower, the airport, and border crossings. Especially between the peninsula and Taipa, the shuttle bus is the most convenient. If you plan well, using a 'shuttle + short walk' model can make free travel around the Macau Peninsula a reality. However, this model is not suitable for exploring within Taipa, such as visiting the luxury hotels, as most shuttles depart from hotels to the peninsula. Check the official WeChat accounts of major hotels for specific schedules and route maps.
Sightseeing mainly falls into two categories: natural landscapes and cultural landmarks. You can adjust the ratio and routes according to your preferences.
4.1 Natural scenic spots: Macau's geographical features include seaside and small islands, so natural landscapes are best appreciated from high points. Here are the high points in three areas of Macau.
4.1.1 Northwest peninsula high point: Monte Fort (next to Ruins of St. Paul). Originally built by the Portuguese after occupying Macau to defend against the Dutch, it offers a panoramic view of the peninsula. There is also a popular photo spot near the banyan tree on the slope leading to Monte Fort for a photo with the Ruins of St. Paul.
4.1.2 East peninsula high point: Guia Lighthouse, located on the top of Guia Hill. It's a good spot for sunrise.
4.1.3 Southwest peninsula has two high points: Penha Hill Chapel and Macau Tower, separated by Sai Van Lake, about a 15-minute walk apart.
Our Lady of Penha Chapel is on the top of Penha Hill, opposite Guia Lighthouse. It offers a view not only of the peninsula but also of Taipa in the distance.
Macau Tower is 338 meters high, ranking 10th among global observation towers. The 58th floor has a 360-degree observation deck, offering views of the entire Macau, the adjacent Zhuhai, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge extending to Hong Kong. Day and night scenery is different. The 60th floor has a revolving buffet restaurant; you can skip it if not particularly hungry. The 61st floor offers three main experience projects. The most thrilling is the world's highest skyjump (certified by Guinness World Records), descending 230 meters at 75 km/h in 20 seconds. This is the most exciting project; those with health issues should be cautious. Next is climbing to the spire via the sky ladder. Although it's an upward climb, the ladder is narrow, making it no less thrilling than the skyjump. Finally, the skywalk is a relatively mild project where you can walk around the outdoor terrace on the 61st floor. Staff take photos and videos. Not recommended for those with acrophobia. If you propose during this activity, the surprise effect is doubled.
4.1.4 For beach lovers, you can go to Hac Sa Beach in Taipa. It's a free natural seawater bathing beach located on the southeast side of Coloane. In summer, you can surf and sail. The sand is fine and soft. The so-called 'black sand' is due to the formation of black secondary mineral glauconite in a specific marine environment. From a distance, it looks like a large bowl of black sesame soup—a beach that evokes 'appetite'.
4.2 Cultural landmarks: 'Western Heritage Sites' + 'Luxury Hotels'.
4.2.1 Western heritage sites include Ruins of St. Paul, St. Dominic's Church, Senado Square, Dom Pedro V Theatre, Ho Tung Library, etc. Each has its own characteristics and is photogenic. Additionally, there are various museums. The Macau Museum is right next to the Ruins of St. Paul, so you can visit it along the way.
4.2.2 Luxury hotels mainly refer to the 'three men'—The Londoner Macao, The Venetian Macao, and The Parisian Macao. These three hotels are on the same street, and about 90% of Macau's internet-famous spots are concentrated here. The Londoner has the iconic Big Ben, The Venetian has outdoor gondola rides, and The Parisian has the Eiffel Tower. That's the so-called 'one day, three countries'. Besides the 'three men', other attractions like Wynn Palace's free cable car, Studio City's figure-8 Ferris wheel, Grand Palace, and Grand Lisboa Palace are also worth visiting.
4.3 After introducing the highlights, let's move on to route planning.
Overall, the Macau Peninsula can be planned with three tour routes, and Taipa has two routes.
4.3.1 Route 1: Old city experience centered around Monte Fort in the northwest, with two branches.
One branch includes Monte Fort, Ruins of St. Paul, Love Lane, Rua da Felicidade (10th of May Street), St. Anthony's Church, Jardim da Cidade Branca, etc.
The other branch includes Senado Square, Post Office (don't miss it if you like stamping), St. Dominic's Church. It takes about 5 minutes to walk from St. Dominic's Church to the Ruins of St. Paul.
It is recommended to set aside half a day to a full day for these two routes. There are many snacks along the way, so you can eat while sightseeing.
4.3.2 Route 2: The Penha Hill Chapel and Macau Tower in the southwest can be combined, along with A-Ma Temple. It is recommended to set aside at least half a day. If you participate in skyjump and other projects at Macau Tower, you need a full day. Alternatively, you can choose to go up the tower in the evening to enjoy the night view of Macau. Additionally, the popular photo spot of the Grand Lisboa Hotel is also in this direction. The downside of this route is that there are fewer internet-famous snack shops, so it's recommended to eat at the hotel before heading out, or book the revolving buffet restaurant at Macau Tower in advance.
4.3.3 Route 3: Guia Lighthouse and Fisherman's Wharf on the east side of the peninsula. There is some distance between them, so bus is recommended. Route 3 can be considered as a supplement to the first two routes, such as going early to see the sunrise at these two places, or returning at night to see the night view and enjoy the sea breeze.
4.3.4 Route 4: The luxury hotel tour in Taipa is relatively concentrated, but because the hotels are large and require photo-taking and shopping, it is recommended to set aside a full day. Especially at night, there are some special attractions:
For example, the light show at the Eiffel Tower of The Parisian; you can also pay 70 MOP to go up the tower for a night view.
The timed light show at The Londoner (exact times unknown, roughly around 7 PM and 9 PM).
The timed musical fountain at Wynn Palace; I remember catching 'Jasmine Flower' at 10 PM—it was beautiful and instantly relieved the day's fatigue. If you watch from the free cable car, it's even more special. The cable car queue is long during peak hours, usually 30 minutes or even more than an hour. It's recommended to ride during off-peak times.
The figure-8 Ferris wheel at Studio City, on the west side, is a good spot to watch the sunset and overlook Zhuhai. It's also a great place for a proposal—romantic and not embarrassing. The east side is currently a large construction site, so nothing to see there.
Other hotels are relatively less distinctive, so I won't elaborate here.
Check the opening hours of attractions. Indoor ones generally open after 10 AM. For early risers, you can prioritize outdoor sightseeing.
If you aim for great photos, search online for popular photo spots and do your homework in advance.
At noon, the sunlight is strongest and not suitable for photos. For night photography, it's recommended to bring a tripod.
The current exchange rate is about 1 MOP to 0.84-0.85 RMB, which is roughly a 20% discount when paying with RMB. As tourist numbers gradually recover, it may stabilize above 0.85, so if you want to go to Macau, do it sooner.
Using online payment may offer a slight exchange rate benefit, saving about 10 RMB for every 10,000 MOP spent.
Mastercard and UnionPay are accepted.
Many shops have Ctrip promotions; check in advance.
For thrill-seekers, Macau Tower on the peninsula is a must-do.
For family trips, the Ferris wheel at Studio City in Taipa and the free cable car at Wynn Palace are good choices. Playing in the water and fine sand at Hac Sa Beach in Coloane is also a wonderful option.
