A destination declared ‘The Las Vegas of the East’ certainly has a lot to live up to. Just a 55 minute ferry ride from Hong Kong, this once calm city is in danger of outgrowing its older sibling, with the glitz, glamour and good times turned up to 11 and a sense of fanfare at the forefront of everything the area has to offer.
This doesn’t mean that there isn’t culture and curiosity to be found in Macau. Indeed, the old town is still full of charm and grace. In short, there really is something for everyone here if you plan your trip right. With that in mind, here are 5 IDEAL travel tips for Macau.
EXPLORE THE CUISINE
Whether it’s fine dining, foreign fare or the unique ‘Macanese’ street food you’re after, Macau has got you covered. Although Macau boasts a number of multi-Michelin starred restaurants, you don’t need a big win on the tables to eat like a king here.
Interestingly, Macau’s most famous edible delight doesn’t even come under the Chinese banner. Nope, it’s the classic, world famous pastel de nata – or custard tart to the monolingual among us. Owing to mass Portuguese migration to Macau in the 1980s, much of the cuisine here is flecked with Iberian influences.
There really is nowhere better to sample the renowned sweet treat than Lord Stow’s Bakery in the Venetian Macao Resort. Locals also love grilled cuttlefish or sardines, Portuguese style, so embrace this glorious marriage of culture and cuisine while you’re here if you want to experience the real Macau.
Macanese minchi, a beef or pork mince dish served over rice and finished with a runny egg, is the national dish of Macau. There are countless variations of this dish and every family has their own recipe. It’s a glorious, nourishing plateful enjoyed for lunch daily and is definitely worth a try. Galinha a Portuguese, which despite its name is a Chinese dish, isn’t actually found in Portugal at all. It’s a dish native to Macau, a type of mild yellow curry with chicken as the usual protein and coconut cream bringing richness. Of course, you can also find more traditional Cantonese fare on the peninsula, with roast duck and the aroma of five spice an ever-present on most street corners.
HOP ACROSS TO THE ISLANDS
Macau City, with all the gaudy glamour that name conjures up, is, of course, the main draw. But Macau also boasts two islands to the south well worth a visit, Taipa and Coloane. These, especially the latter, are much less boisterous than the ‘strip’ and offer respite from all the money burning and boardwalk bawdiness associated with Macau proper. They’re connected to the main peninsula by several bridges, which makes travelling here for a little downtime a doddle. In Coloane you’ll find Lord Stow’s Bakery mentioned above, alongside several other great, laid back eateries. Fernando’s is another great place to sample the famous Macanese fare at the quieter end of town.
ENJOY OLD MACAU
Macau is only 30.5 square kilometres, meaning it’s an eminently manageable city for strolling. That said, free shuttles are everywhere to get you from A to B if you’re feeling lazy or have overdosed on those custard tarts.
If you want the perfect microcosm of Macau, where Portuguese and Mediterranean influences blend seamlessly with their Chinese counterparts, then Old Taipa Village, on the aforementioned Taipa Island, is the place that encapsulates it all. Here, churches and temples stand side by side but seem to rub along happily together; rissoles and dim sum adorn neighbouring menus and you could be forgiven for forgetting which continent you were in. Amazing stuff. Be sure to check out Pak Tai Temple; quaint and majestic somehow simultaneously.
Protected on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, Senado Square is also well worth your visit, with a rich history and even richer visitors. Shopping, souvenirs, snacks; there are plenty of ways to empty your purse here. It’s also visually stunning, with a monochrome, wave-patterned floor as the focal point. Great stuff!
The Ruins of St. Paul is one of the must-visit spots for some sightseeing, but this isn’t the only church dedicated to saints which are worth your attention. On Largo de Sao Domingos, just a short walk from the Ruins, St. Dominic’s offers stunning architecture and historical intrigue. St. Augustine’s, St. Joseph’s and St. Lawrence’s Church are all in close proximity, too, meaning you can get five saints in one sitting and still be home (or to a fancy restaurant) for supper.
VISIT THE A-MA TEMPLE
There are many ancient Chinese temples in Macau, however the oldest and the most famous is the A-Ma Temple. Dedicated to Matsu, the goddess of seafarers and fisherman, it predates the city itself and legend has that the name Macau is derived from this temple. Built in 1488, it offers a fine juxtaposition in its serenity and history to the newly built, modern mayhem of the nearby gambling mecca.
CHECK OUT THE CASINOS
While there is so much more to Macau than its casinos, a trip to the city wouldn’t be complete without investigating its opulent centrepiece, if only to appreciate the completely over-the-top, in-your-face nature of it all. Here, the casinos are tailored towards the Chinese, and while not an entirely different experience to those in the West, there are noticeable differences. Indeed, the complimentary drink is tea, not beer, and players snack on dumplings rather than peanuts. The game of choice is more baccarat, less poker or roulette.