Macau is probably best known globally as the ‘Vegas of China’ and this is exactly my first thoughts when I landed.

Macau has become a mecca of casinos, luxury ‘Vegas style’ hotels and bright lights. Located 35 miles from Hong Kong, Macau has been a Portuguese colony for a couple hundred years.  

Strolling through this region, you’ll be confronted by a striking juxtaposition of ancient Chinese temples looming over streets adorned with traditional Portuguese tiles. The air buzzes with the sounds of Cantonese, echoing through avenues bearing Portuguese names. The Macau Peninsula, with its old city center, is a battleground where colonial ruins clash with fresh boutiques. Yet, what’s truly fascinating is how Macau has been thrust into the spotlight in recent years, thanks to social media’s relentless gaze. You might even find yourself recalling its name from the 2016 heist flick ‘Now You See Me 2’.

Arriving into Macau

My arrival into Macau came courtesy of  ‘Turbojet ferries’;  a 1 hour ferry trip from Hong Kong’s China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui (near the Harbour City Mall).

As Macau is a ‘Special Administrative Region’ (similar to Hong Kong), it maintains its own border controls. It is essential to carry your passport. Tourists are required to complete a departure card and undergo immigration procedures on both the Hong Kong and Macau sides when returning. The entire process is akin to that of an airport terminal, featuring security checks and the necessity for boarding passes.

A return economy fare Hong Kong- Macau (Outer terminal) – Hong Kong will cost around HK$350 (GB£33.50) that can be purchased from the China Ferry terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. There are other ferry services to Macau if you are staying on Hong Kong island itself.  Make your way towards the IFC Towers in the Shun Tak Center on Hong Kong Island.

My whirlwind trip to Macau was a mere day, but oh, what a day it was! I hopped on the lunchtime ferry from Hong Kong, and I was back on the last ferry at 9:20 PM, racing against time. With only a few hours to explore, I was relentless. I think I actually wore out my walking shoes with all the pounding I did on those streets!

As a starting point, from the ferry terminal in Macau, I followed the promenade along the harbour front, where exercise equipment beckoned while I weaved through the relentless stampede of joggers. This walk was not just a stroll; it transformed as I descended from the historic embrace of Monte Fortress into the relentless hustle of the city, where the shimmering harbour waters gave way to the blinding allure of casinos and flashy shops, a vivid playground for those seduced by excess.

What Does Macau Offer

MONTE FORT

was built between 1617 and 1626 on the 170 foot tall Mount Hill. At the top of the fort lends the most wonderful views of the Casino Lisboa in the city. Monte Fort is now a UNESO World Heritage Site and has become the premier historical attraction.

There are few ways to ascend Mount Hill to get to the fort. The most physical is to walk up the 170 feet of pathways. The view from the top is worth the efforts. At the base of the hill before entering the gates to the site are a few newsagents that offer bottles of water. The other option (and the option I chose) is to pay the MOP2 (HK$2/ GB30p) and use the Guia cable car. It’s a comfortable way to ascend Mount Hill that offers wonderful views of Macau mainland.

MACAU MUSEUM

This venue sits in a small park atop the old fort. An integral part of the fort is the government supported Macau Museum that is the official museum about Macau’s history and present development. Three floors of exhibits that are divided by time periods afford a place that both adults and children can enjoy for about an hour or so. AIt sits in the grassy park on top of the fort. There is an escalator that can take you to the museum. You’ll see it as you walk the path up. 

PLAZA SENADO

The whole avenue is roughly a mile long but most of the action is around the Senado Square. The triangle shaped Senado Plaza has a black and white wavy tile pattern. From San Ma Lo Avenue, when you are facing the apex, behind you is the the Leal Senado (1784) government building and to the right is the white 3-story Post Office. At the apex of the plaza is the yellow Saint Dominic’s Church (1587). It was built by Dominicans and is the oldest church building in Macau, but you can’t see it from the road. It is open for visitors daily.

CASINO LISBOA, THE WYNN HOTEL and THE SANDS

These are three of the largest casino hotels in Macau and offers everything as expected from any major city casino.  The Casino Grand Lisboa is a stunning building both inside and out – its most attractive feature is its architecture.

The Wynn Macau casino is a replica of that on the Las Vegas Strip.

The Sands casino is located at Fisherman’s Wharf near the Outer Ferry Terminal. If you have time why not dine at the many restaurants in Casino Grand Lisboa before carrying onto Fisherman’s Wharf.

FISHERMAN’S WHARF

Macau Fisherman’s Wharf:  is located at Macau’s outer harbour, within 5 minutes walk from the Macau Ferry Terminal and Heliport. Fisherman’s Wharf is the largest leisure and themed entertainment complex in Macau.

The European themed architectures feature Babylon Casino, Flamingo Casino, a convention and exhibition centre, Legend Boulevard – a complex of retail, hotels, dining and a casino themed on coastal towns including Miami, Cape Town, New Orleans, Amsterdam, Spain, Lisbon, Rome and the Italian Riviera, Plus, a marina, dining/shopping and entertainment facilities, creating unique experience to visitors.

The venue also boasts a huge Roman Amphitheatre, an outdoor Colosseum equipped with 2,000 seats, designed as a venue for concerts and other performances.

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My Thoughts Off Macau

I think if you have made time for Hong Kong then Macau is pretty much a ‘must do’ whilst there. Macau is not as lavish as its neighbour but holds its own charm. I spent roughly 6 hours here and found that was more than sufficient to gain those photographs and experience what this ‘Special Administrative Region’ of China has to offer.

You can certainly see that there are numerous projects ongoing to improve its ‘attractiveness’ to the world. It offers the old Portuguese colonial feel amongst the ‘new China’. I just hope it does not become the new ‘Vegas’.  

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