Travel+Experiment: Backpacking: Top Adventures in Macau

Welcome to Travel+Experiment!

Macau S.A.R China

Macau also spelled Macao, is one of the two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China, the other being Hong Kong. Macau lies on the western side of the Pearl River Delta across from Hong Kong, which is about 64 kilometers to the east, and it is also bordered by Guangdong Province to the north and the South China Sea to the east and south.

Under the policy of "one country, two systems", the PRC's Central People's Government is responsible for the territory's defense and foreign affairs, while Macau maintains its own legal system, police force, monetary system, customs policy, and immigration policy. Macau participates in many international organizations and events that do not require members to possess national sovereignty.

Macau is one of the world's richest cities, and as of 2013 its GDP per capita by purchasing power parity is higher than that of any country in the world, according to the World Bank. It became the world's largest gambling center in 2006, with the economy heavily dependent on gambling and tourism, as well as manufacturing.

Languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Macanese

Travel Tip:

1. Check the Weather

2. Prepare to handle money overseas

If you're traveling international, be sure to hit your own bank before leaving for your trip; that way you won't arrive short on cash (local currency) and have to immediately search for an ATM. Go to your bank's website and map out any available ATM locations near your destination so you are not forced to use other banks' machines. Furthermore, you will save on ATM fees/ withdrawals at machines located outside the country. There’s no guarantee that there will be one (or that it will be working properly).

3. Check and understand the exchange rate before you travel.

4. Do not flash large amounts of money when paying a bill.

5. Have Photocopies of Your Itinerary and Travel Documents

Make two photocopies of all your travel documents in case of emergency or if your documents are lost or stolen.

· Passport ID page

· Foreign visa (if applicable)

· Itinerary

· Hotel confirmation

· Airline ticket

· Driver's license

· Credit cards brought on the trip

Macau Day Trip via Hongkong Ferry Terminals

How to get there:

Hong Kong Terminals

Take MTR Station and get off at Tsim Sha Tsui station, exit A1. China Ferry Terminal is in Tsim Sha Tsui. Ticket price ranges from 140 to 220 HKD (single trip, economy class). It is about a kilometer north of the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry. You could walk to it through Harbour City Mall to get to Turbo Jet’s and Cotai Water Jets ticketing counters. Turbo Jet takes about one hour while Cotai takes approximately 55 minutes.

Take MTR Station and get off at Shueng Wan station, exit D. Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal is near the IFC Towers in the Shun Tak Center on Hong Kong Island. Ticket price ranges from 140 to 220 HKD (single trip, economy class). It is near the Star Ferry, the IFC Mall Mall to get to Turbo Jet’s and Cotai Jets ticketing counters. Both ferry services between Hong Kong and Macau. Turbo Jet takes about one hour while Cotai takes approximately 55 minutes. Daily Trip starts at 6:30 AM till 5:30 PM with 30 minutes interval. They have also their night sailing from 6:00 PM till 11:59 PM with 30 minutes interval.

Macau Terminals

Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal is the main northern terminal closest to San Ma Lo, architectural attractions, and about 23 mainly smaller casinos. You can take Bus 3 from San Ma Lo to the Macau Ferry Terminal in about 10 minutes for 2.5 HKD.

Cotai Terminal is to the south, closest to the Cotai Strip area with the biggest casinos such as the Venetian, the City of Dreams across the street, and the Macau International Airport. To go to Cotai Terminal, take the Cotai Jet from any of the three Hong Kong terminals. There are late night returns (after 12 midnight) from the Cotai Terminal to the Hong Kong Macau Terminal.

You'll need your passport to travel between these two regions. However, foreign tourists to Hong Kong generally have no problem entering Macau with a free short term stamp on their passport.

Upon arrival in Macao, passengers can take a convenient, complimentary ride on our big blue luxury air-conditioned coaches to the doorstep of Sands Macao, The Plaza Macao or The Venetian-Macao-Resort-Hotel and Sands Cotai Central.

Macau’s activities and attractions must see.

Destination: Introducing Macau!

1. Ruins of St. Paul Cathedral

Entrance Fee: Free Entry
Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

The St. Paul’s Cathedral, or Mater Dei, is Macau’s most famous landmark and one of the most fabulous sights in the city. It was officially listed in 2005 as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Historic Centre of Macau. Originally built in the 16th century, the complex of St. Paul’s College and the Cathedral of St. Paul burned down and was rebuilt multiple times before the third and final fire during a typhoon in 1835 left it beyond repair. All that remains are the iconic stone façade and the grand staircase leading up to it. Behind the facade is Saint Paul’s Museum that houses various religious relics and artifacts including the tomb of the Jesuit monk who designed the St. Paul Cathedral.

How to get there:

By Bus Route No.8A, 17, 18, 19, 26

Take the bus with the route no. above and inform the driver to drop you off near St. Paul Cathedral. Bus fare is around 2.5 HKD.

2. The Largo do Senado Square

Entrance Fee: Free Entry
Opening Hours: Open in public 24 hours

This is a public square; frequent venue for public events is surrounded by shopping centers and traditional Chinese restaurants. It is part of the UNESCO Historic Centre of Macau World Heritage Site.

Around the Square, there are other attractions. To the east of the square, there lies the Macau Cathedral. At the end of the paved road, there is the St. Domingo's Church. On the third floor of the church there is a museum of paintings, sculptures and liturgical ornaments that illustrate the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Asia. Walk to north of the church and you will arrive at the Ruínas de S. Paulo (Ruins of St. Paul's). This is the most famous landmark in Macau. Right at the east of the Ruínas de S. Paulo is the Museu de Macau (Macau Museum), in which historical relics of Macau are exhibited. Walk to the southeast along the Av. De Almeida Ribeiro (San Ma Lo) from the square, and you will find the Grand Lisboa, which is a casino hotel and is known for its magnificence.

How to get there:

By Bus Route No. 3, 3A, 4, 8A, 10, 10A, 11, 18, 19, 21A, 26A, 33 buses to the Av. De Almeida Ribeiro (San Ma Lo).

Bus fare is around 2.5 HKD. To get to the Square, from Avenida Doctor Mário Soares walk towards Rua do Dr Pedro José Lobo. Turn right to onto Rua do Padre Luís Froís Sj. After walking for around 250ft, turn right to Rua Central, and then immediately turn left onto Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro for 480ft and you can find the Senado Square.

Further for the ruins, depart Largo do Senado toward Travessa da Misericórdia and turn left to Rua da Palha. Walk arounf 470ft and turn right to Rua do Santo Paulo. Keep right to Rua da Ressurreição, then Largo da Companhia de Jesus. Turn left to stay on Largo da Companhia de Jesus and you can see the ruins.

3. Macau Tower

Entrance Fee Observation Deck: Adult: MOP 135; Child: MOP 60; Tower observation deck admission tickets include Level 58 Observation Lounge and Level 61 Adventure Deck.

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Weekends, Public Holidays: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre also known as Macau Tower, measures 338 m (1,109 ft) in height from ground level to the highest point. The tower is one of the members of the World Federation of Great Towers. Besides being used for observation and entertainment, the tower is also used for telecommunications and broadcasting. With everything from watching movies, shopping, theatre performances, the Skywalk X, a thrilling walking tour around the outer rim, and of course, magnificent views of the Macau skyline from the observation deck, this 338 meters high tower is definitely one of Macau’s ‘must visits.’ Don’t forget to dine at the revolving restaurant, 360° Café, situated at the 223 meter level. At 233 meters, the Macau Tower's tethered "skyjump" and Bungee jump by AJ Hackett from the tower's outer rim, is the highest commercial skyjump in the world (233 meters), and the second highest commercial decelerator descent facility in the world, after Vegas' Stratosphere skyjump at 252 meters.

How to get there:

Buses are frequent and the routes 9A, 18, 23, 26, 32, MT4 will take you to the Macau Tower. Bus fare is around 2.5 HKD.

Taxis are readily available at the airport, the ferry terminal and hotels, or simply flag one down on a nearby road. Taxis are metered and charge MOP 15 flag fall. There may be a surcharge when travelling between islands.

4. Museum of Macau

Entrance Fee: Adult: MOP 15; Child: MOP 8; Free children under 5 y.o

Opening Hours: Mon Closed; Tues-Sun 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM

The Macau Museum is located on the hill of the Fortaleza do Monte, a 16th-century fort in Macau. The museum presents the history of the city and territory of the former Portuguese colony of Macau, now a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, legends, lifestyle, popular arts and traditions, religions, et al.

How to get there:

Take bus 2, 3, 3A, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8A, 10, 10A, 11, 18, 19, 21A, 26A, 33 and get off at Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro. Then walk through Senado Square to Ruins of St. Paul's Church for ten minutes. The museum is just next to the ruins.

5. Venetian Macau Resort Hotel

Entrance Fee: Free Entry
Opening Hours: Open in public 24 hours

The Venetian Macao is a luxury hotel and casino resort in Macau, China, owned by Las Vegas Sands. The Venetian is a 39-story, $2.4 billion anchor for the seven hotels on the Cotai Strip in Macau. The 10,500,000-square-foot (980,000 m2) Venetian Macao is modeled on its sister casino resort The Venetian Las Vegas, and is the seventh-largest building in the world by floor area. The Venetian Macao is the largest casino in the world, and the largest single structure hotel building in Asia with 3400 slot machines and 800 gambling tables and a 15,000 seat CotaiArena for entertainment and sports events. The resort also boasts of famous gondola rides that will transport you to Venice. The indoor artificial sky above is beautifully speckled with puffy white clouds against a stretch of azure blue. Well-dressed gondoliers churn out melodic serenades that reverberate through the entire plaza.

How to get there:

Upon arrival in Macao, from the ferry terminal passengers can take a convenient, complimentary ride on our big blue luxury air-conditioned coaches to the doorstep of Sands Macao, The Plaza Macao or The Venetian-Macao-Resort-Hotel and Sands Cotai Central.

6. Visit A-Ma Gao Temple

Entrance Fee: Free Entry

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM-6:00 PM

The A-Ma-Gao Temple is one of the oldest and most famous Taoist temples in Macau. Built in 1488, the temple is dedicated to Matsu, the goddess of seafarers and fishermen. In 2005, the temple became one of the designated sites of the Historic Centre of Macau enlisted on UNESCO World Heritage List. A-Ma Temple Mauca is the biggest one among 2500 temples which dedicated to goddess around the world. It houses prayer halls, pavilions and courtyards constructed into the boulder-strewn mount.

How to get there:

Take Bus No. 6, 8, 9 or 28B and get off at Barra Bus Terminus, it is just outside the temple.

7. Fortaleza do Monte

Entrance Fee: Free Entry

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM-7:00 PM

Fortaleza do Monte, also Monte Forte; in English: Fortress of Our Lady of the Mount of St. Paul is the historical military center of the former Portuguese colony of Macau, in the People's Republic of China. It is part of the "Historic Centre of Macau", a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nowadays, the ancient fortress is occupied by one of the best of Macau attractions - The Museum of Macau. The Museum of Macau was built on the hill in the 1990s. The tree-covered park at the top of the fort has a panoramic view of the mainland area of Macau.

The fortress has served various functions:

First residence of the Governors of Macau
Macau Museum
Meteorological Department

The museum is open daily (except Monday), 10 am - 6 pm. Admission fees are MOP$ 15 for an adult and MOP$ 8 for children (under 11 years), students and elders (above 60 years old). Admission is free on the 15th of every month.

Garden in Fortaleza do Monte

The fort was built in 1617–1626 to protect the properties of the Jesuits in Macau. Later it was seized by the governor for the defense of Macau, this Portuguese fort takes you back to the 17th century Dutch invasions and offers splendid views of the entire city.

How to get there:

You can easily walk to the Museum of Macau from Senado Square. The hill to the right of the ruins of St. Paul's (when coming from the wide stone stairs) is the Fortaleza do Monte.

8. Fisherman's Wharf Amusement Park

Entrance Fee: Free Entry; Individual tickets required for rides
Opening Hours: Open in public 24 hours

The Macau Fisherman's Wharf is the first theme park in Macau, China. It is located at Freguesia da Sé in Macau Peninsula, near the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Pier.

Visitor attractions include:

Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty Fortress
East Meets West
Vulcania at night; Vulcania, a 40m tall replica volcano which 'erupts' every evening and inside of which the 'River of Fire' white-water and 'Dragon Quest' rollercoaster rides are housed. The exterior of Vulcania includes walkways styled on the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
Aladdin's Fort, an attraction in the style of a middle-eastern fort which is home to a variety of children's funfair rides.
Aqua Romanis, a Roman-themed shopping centre.
Roman Amphitheatre, an outdoor Colosseum equipped with 2,000 seats, designed as a venue for concerts and other performances.
Convention and Exhibition Centre
Legend Wharf; a complex of shops, hotels, restaurants and a casino themed on coastal towns including Miami, Cape Town, New Orleans, Amsterdam, Venice, Spain, Portugal and the Italian Riviera.
Vasco da Gama Waterworld; a performance venue for water-based shows including four jet-ski performances

How to get there:

Take bus no. 1A,3,3A,8,10,10A,10B,17,28A,28B,28BX,28C,32, get off at Macau Fisherman's Wharf.

9. Macau Wine Museum

Entrance Fee: Entrance fee is priced at MOP/HKD15 per adult (inclusive of wine tasting), MOP/HKD5 for visitor age 11 to 18 yrs old, Free admission for visitors age 10 & below and above 60 yrs old
Opening Hours: Mon; Wed-Sun 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Tuesday: Closed

The Macau Wine Museum is co-located next to the Grand Prix Museum. The museum includes displays of Portuguese wines in accordance with the vintages respective region of origin, a wine tasting station and a display of wine racks, barrels, presses and tools. The museum will give an insight of the history of wine making and the different process of making it.