Travel Guide To Macau: The Vegas Of China

Charismatic Macau is called the ‘Vegas of China’ for good reason. This Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China generates more revenue from gambling than anywhere else on the planet! A beautiful place to visit, Macau has a rich culture beyond its gambling industry. It is wonderful to explore, with a lot of tourist sites and great food. From cobbled streets to modern cafés and Baroque churches to Art Deco buildings, Macau seamlessly blends the best of East and the West. A lot of Macau reflects its colonial Portuguese legacy.

How To Get There

By Air

Macau International Airport is only 20 minutes from the city centre; it is located on Taipa Island. There are frequent flights to and fro including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Osaka, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Moscow and Beijing.

By Ferry

Most passengers come to Macau via Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). Hong Kong is only an hour away to Macau by ferry. There are a lot of ferry services that operate throughout the day. The main ferry terminal in Macau is the Macau Ferry Terminal.

By Bus

It is also possible to reach Macau by bus with the opening of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge. From Mainland China, you can take the coach from Guangzhou, the mainland’s third-largest city. The trip takes about 3 hours.

How To Get Around

Free shuttle services are available in plenty within Macau. You don’t need to take a taxi to major tourist spots.  Most of these shuttles are provided by hotels, especially big hotels with casinos. Smaller hotels also have shuttle services but they may not be as frequent. The great thing about Macau is you don’t need to be a guest of a particular hotel to board their buses.

There are also shuttle services available at Macau’s Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal and Gongbei Border Gate. Other travel options within Macau include taxi, cars, and bikes.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Macau is the autumn season that starts in October. The weather is best during this period. Peak season is during Jun–Aug and then in December. You could also visit the place during annual events like the Lunar New Year parade (Feb), the International Dragon Boat Races (May/Jun) on Nam Van Lake, International Fireworks Display Contest (Sep-Oct), and the Macau Grand Prix car and motorcycle races (Nov).

The Top Things to See in Macau

Ruins of St.Paul’s

The ruins of this 17th-century church are a wide tourist attraction in Macau. It also features an on-site religious museum.

The Venetian Macau

This palatial resort is a treat to visit. It has elegant suites, upscale restaurants, pools and indoor canals.

Senado Square

Senado Square is a huge town square that is frequently used for public events.

Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center

The Macau tower has lots to offer. It has shops, a cinema, eateries and the famous revolving restaurant. There are also observation areas with scenic views.

A-Ma Temple

Macau’s oldest temple was built in 1488 and is dedicated to the sea goddess.

Monte Fort

This huge fort features a rooftop park with canons and beautiful panoramic views of Macau

What To Eat In Macau

Macau is famous for its delicious restaurants that offer Macanese and Chinese cuisines. Macanese food is a blend of Portuguese and Chinese influences. Portuguese food is also really popular in Macau, it was originally introduced by Portuguese colonisers. Typical Portuguese food includes pato de cabidela (bloody duck), bacalhau (salted cod) and caldo verde (a potato soup).

Where To Stay

Macau has a lot of luxury hotels and resorts because of all the gambling that happens. Extravagant hotels like The Venetian, City of Dreams, Studio City, Galaxy, and Hard Rock are located in the Cotai area. If you’re on the lookout for budget accommodation, there are cheaper hotels located at the Macau Peninsula. Due to government regulations, there aren’t many hostels in operation.

Also Read: A Travel Guide to the Wonders of Las Vegas

Have you been to Macau? Tell us what you like most about the place in the comments below!