Macau, a Special Administrative Region of China, sits across from Hong Kong and was once a Portuguese overseas territory until 1999. Known for being the world’s top gambling destination, it surpasses even Las Vegas in revenue.
With a visible colonial history, Macau feels like a slice of Europe in Asia. While Portuguese and Macanese communities persist, the majority are native Chinese. China’s “one country, two systems” formula is in place, but there’s a sense of influence from Beijing, similar to Hong Kong.
Macau’s economy has thrived, especially with the boom in gambling licenses. Tourists flock here, mainly from mainland China, and the standard of living has risen significantly. Beyond casinos, Macau promotes its historic sites, culture, and cuisine.
Cantonese and Portuguese are the official languages. While English is spoken in tourist areas, Mandarin is not widely used. It’s advisable to have Chinese translations for destinations, especially outside tourist spots. Portuguese, though not widely spoken, is useful for understanding place names and signs.
Macau uses traditional Chinese characters, and signs are bilingual in Chinese and Portuguese. The “one country, two systems” policy ensures the continuation of traditional characters.
For travelers, Macau offers a unique blend of European and Chinese influences, vibrant casinos, historic sites, and a growing culinary scene.
MY EXPERIENCE. Macau didn’t work out on my first trip there. We were traveling with a group of guys and girls from Shenzhen. We joked and had fun. But at the border they let everyone through, but I wasn’t!
The thing was that there were less than 30 days left before my Chinese visa expired. If I’m not mistaken there was about 3 weeks left. But the border guards said that their requirements are such that to enter Macau on a Chinese visa there should not be less than 30 days of reserve! Just like that! And my explanations that I would return the same day back in the evening were not helpfull at all. So everyone went to Macau, and I went back to Shenzhen.
The second trip was fast and chaotic. Also for work at an exhibition of luxury watches. This time from Zhuhai, which took almost 3 hours to get to by taxi from Shenzhen. This does not mean because of the traffic jams for so long, but because of the distance. I remember because it was a didi-taxi with a woman driver at the wheel))
Passport control took a very long time. There were huge queues. It seems that this was because of upcoming Chinese holidays. One of the peculiarities is that when entering Macau and in order to receive an entry permit stamp, everyone had to show a minimum amount of cash of 5,000 yuan, that is, about $850. We did this and waited an additional 40 minutes until our passports were returned to us.
I would hardly be able to tell you anything about Macau itself that day. Taxi. Arrival at a 5-star hotel. Taking part in watch exhibition. And the way back in the evening. That’s all!
But my third trip was already just by muself, I was just leaving China, and chose the most convenient way – by high-speed ferry-boat from Shenzhen (from Shekou area) straight to Macau, for 150 yuan (one way, round-trip costs around 300). Very convenient, and the time is about 1.5 hours. This option is truly the best! Firstly, when buying a ferry ticket, passport control is somewhat formal and simplified. And not many people at all! So if someone is thinking about which method to choose, this is definitely the best!
Upon arrival in Macau, I further acted on the recommendation of a friend who loves to go to Macau to play in casino! So, there are buses with the names of casinos leaving from the port, which take you there for free. I chose “The Venetian Casino” and 20 minutes later I was at the entrance to this famous casino of the same name. It’s located in Cotai area. It’s not even a simply casino, it’s a whole mini-city casino!
After entering through the metal detectors, luxury and chic immediately catches your eye! Well, it’s immediately clear that all this was done for the Chinese millionaires! They really love this style!)) When I approached the slot machines, the guards immediately came up to me and asked to take off my cap – these are the rules they have! They don’t want people to come up with some ways to deceive the casino, God forbid they put cameras in their caps!))
But I didn’t intend to play there. Moreover, I never played, and did not know how. So I just walked by and stared. Nothing attractive to me! But I heard from my friend who loves to go to the casino that there are separate rooms, and even toilet seats, where you can continuously play, lose millions, poop, and continue to lose! Well, maybe can win too! But I am more inclined to believe that the first option is more common))
When you leave the casino, the usual desire arises to go have something to eat or drink. You walk 100 meters, you walk 500, you walk a couple of kilometers, but there is nowhere to go! 😀 Where is McDonald’s on Main Street? where is Starbucks? – there is none of this! At least in the area where these mini-city-casinos are located, you won’t find anything special on the street! Everything is built so that a person can find everything he needs inside, and leave all the money just in there!
But I still found it! In the Taipa area – “Our Lady of Caramel”. True, for this I had to walk 5 kilometers using Apple Map and get into the old part of Macau. There are ordinary streets and multi-story houses, but not high. That’s where I found McDonald’s and ate a BigMac that seemed very tasty, with meat and mushrooms and everything! It tastes like Hong Kong BigMac, and definitely better than Chinese (in China, I don’t like everything in McDonald’s, but you can find something good there too)) Then I moved on and had a huge mochaccino and cheesecake at Starbucks! And then I was in the mood to go shopping! 🙂
In some shopping center inside some other mini-city-casino I found Zara, and there I bought myself a lot of all sorts of shorts, T-shirts, and shirts)) I remember that I was in a hurry at the end. Because the return ticket was bought for a certain time . And I had to get back to the Taipa Ferry Terminal port. I walked back on the map and managed to get back on time.
So this trip to Macau was the most successful. But in general, Macau is a place oriented and completely performed for millionaire gamblers. I wasn’t interested there! Perhaps because I’m not a gambler, but also unfortunately because I’m not a millionaire either! 😀
