A Day In a Life in Macau

Just how big (or how small?) is Macau? At 28 square kilometers, it is about the size of a town in the United States. And when you’re in Hong Kong and you have some time to spare, why not consider a fun day trip to this former Portuguese territory?

You can start the adventure by getting a one way ferry ticket at the China Hong Kong Ferry Terminal in Tsim Tsam Tsui. It can be accessed through via an in-town outlet mall on Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The Ticket Counters are on the second floor along with the Baggage Check In and the departure gates. Turbojet operates the ferries from Kowloon to the Macau Outer Harbor Terminal. Fare for one way is HKD 153.00 for daytime sailing one way.

Remember to travel light as the ferries charge extra fees on bulky luggages.

Wait for your sailing schedule as indicated in your tickets, the check in at the designated Turbojet Counter for your pre-departure and for seat assignments. Upon entry, you will pass through the Hong Kong Immigration counters so don’t forget to bring your passports.

From there, you will wait for your boarding near your departure gate. The terminal is clean and comfortable. They even have some small duty free stores within the facility.

And off you go to Destination: Macau.

It will take you about an hour from Kowloon, Hong Kong to Macau. Upon arrival, all visitors from China, Hong Kong and foreign countries have to clear immigration and customs checks. Most countries enjoy visa-free privileges in Macau. However, Bangladeshi, Nepalese, Nigerian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Vietnamese citizens must apply for a Macau visa at a Chinese embassy before their travel.

The line at the Macau Immigration in the ferry terminal can be a bit long and tedious so be sure to walk fast upon disembarkation.

Once outside the terminal you can walk to your left for five to ten minutes and visit the Fisherman’s Wharf – a small theme park and shopping area. The complex includes more than 150 stores and restaurants in buildings designed in the style of different world seaports such as Cape Town, Amsterdam and Venice.

After exploring the park, you can go back to the front of the Macau Ferry terminal and use the underpass to cross to the Hotel and Casino Free Shuttle Car Park. Several hotels in Macau offer free bus rides to tourists. Take the Grand Emperor Hotel Shuttle which will take you to the hotel in Avenida Commercial De Macau. From there you can take a 15-20 minute walk to Senado Square in Avenida Do Infante Henrique.

If you wish to take the public bus, you can try to catch Bus No. 3 to visit Senado Square. Be warned though that, understanding the Bus System is a bit tricky. The information written on Bus Stations are complicated. Asking the drivers won’t help too as most of them don’t understand English. Bus rides in the Macau Peninsula costs about 3.20 MOT

The Senado Square, or Largo do Senado is a gravel, limestone and tessera stone lined plaza in the center of Macau. The area is ensconced in history with the old buildings with European architecture like the Leal Senado, the General Post Office, and St. Dominic’s Church. The hand laid Portuguese Pavement in bright yellow catches up with the lively and eclectic mix of locals and tourists crowding this most popular sightseeing spot in this city.

Upon reaching St Dominic’s Church, turn right and head to Ruins of St Paul or Ruínas de São Paulo and stand in awe of what was left of a 17^th century cathedral, “Mater Dei”, a church that was dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle. This structure has been declared as a one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites in 2005.

After your must-do souvenir shots, go back to Senado Square for your next destination. But don’t forget to sample Macau delicacies including the beef jerky and the creamy Portuguese Egg Tarts of Koi Kei Bakery. You can also do some souvenir shopping and even look for gym shoes!

You can use your Hong Kong Dollars as most stores accept the currency, your change however would be in Macau Pattaca.

Cross the street from Senado Square and take Bus No. 5 to get to A-ma temple by getting off the bus station of the same name.

Situated on the southwest tip of the Macau Peninsula, the Temple of A-ma is one of the oldest and most famous Taoist temples in Macau. The temple and was built in 1488 to honor Matsu, the goddess of seafarers and fishermen.

The temple evokes far eastern Zen with visitors and locals alike praying to the Gods for their personal desires – lighting candles, incenses and chanting silently.

Ride the next bus No. 21 or MT4 to get to the famous Macau Tower. This tower which measures 338 in height from ground level to its summit is actually an observation deck with panoramic views, restaurants, shopping malls and a thrilling walking tour around the outer rim called the Skywalk X. At the level of 233 meters, the Macau Tower Bungee Jump by from outer rim, is the second highest commercial sky jump in the world.

Take the same bus to get the other side of Macau, Taipa Island where the grandmother of all casinos, The Venetian Hotel proudly stands.

Owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, The Venetian is a 40-story, 10,500,000-square-foot structure in Cotai Strip. It is the largest single structure hotel building in Asia, The sixth-largest building in the world by area and the largest casino in the world.

Aside from the hotel an the casino, it has a unique shopping strip set along the flavors of Italy’s Venice Canals with soprano singing Gondola paddlers.

After some shopping and dining, head on to the Cotai Ferry Terminal, where you can take the Cotai Jet ferry going back to Kowloon. Travel time is the same at one hour and fare is the same as TurboJet’s.

Before doing my one day Macau, I did a lot of research but the experience is a lot different when you’re actually there.

Macau is lot different than most cities in China. The European air intertwined with unique far east culture is a journey to treasure in itself.