Macau: A Cultural Blend Beyond the Casinos

While Macau is often associated with its vibrant casinos, the city offers a wealth of attractions beyond the gaming tables. This unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, conveniently located near Southeast Asia, provides a captivating travel experience.

During our recent trip, we explored numerous landmarks, including the Ruins of St. Paul's, A-Ma Temple, Coloane Village, the Venetian Macao, Senado Square, Taipa Village, Na Tcha Temple, St. Francis Xavier Church, Mandarin's House, Mount Fortress, St. Dominic's Church, Macau Municipal Council, St. Augustine's Square, Dom Pedro V Theatre, Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, and St. Lawrence's Church.

Remarkably, our 3-day, 2-night trip for two cost only approximately 6,000 baht per person, excluding airfare. This budget-friendly adventure allowed us to immerse ourselves in the city's rich history and culture.

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Day 1:

Upon arrival at Macau International Airport at approximately 3:25 PM local time, we were greeted by the city's vibrant atmosphere. It's important to note that Macau time is one hour ahead of Thailand time.

This trip, we are two people. We have already exchanged money from Thailand. And here, we don't need to fill out the immigration form. We can just submit our passports.

After clearing immigration, follow the signs to the Venetian Casino's free shuttle bus.

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As we planned to visit the Venetian before heading to our hotel, we took a 15-minute ride from the Macau airport to the Venetian Casino. The car conveniently dropped us off at the main lobby. For those who prefer a more convenient way to explore the Venetian, you can leave your luggage at the main lobby and inform them that you will pick it up at the West Lobby. This is because we will be boarding a shuttle from there to reach our hotel.

The luggage storage fee is 10 HKD per item. They will give you this receipt to claim your luggage at the west lobby.

After checking our luggage, we went for a stroll around the Venetian. This renowned casino recreates the ambiance of Venice's canals, complete with shops lining both sides. These shops offer a wide variety of goods, including designer brands, high-end clothing, and souvenir stores.

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The must-try bakery is the famous 'Lord Strow's Bakery & Cafe'. Their egg tarts are sold individually for 10 MOP each and are absolutely delicious! You have to try them!

After we finished our walk and snacks, we picked up our bags at the West Lobby and walked out the side door to the taxi stand. We hailed a taxi from there and asked it to take us to the hotel.

The taxi fare was around 119 HKD and it took about 30 minutes to reach our accommodation. However, it may take longer if there is traffic. On the day we arrived, there was some traffic congestion near the bridge over the river.

We booked a room at Happy Family Hotel for 2,695 baht per night (excluding breakfast) through the Agoda app. The room may be a bit small, but the hotel's location is excellent, within walking distance of many tourist attractions.

After checking in, we went for a walk to find something to eat near 'Senado Square'. It's about a 5-minute walk from our accommodation. There were a lot of people in the evening and there were plenty of things to buy.

We strolled around looking for local food to eat. Most of the shops here, especially in the street food areas, have dishes with curry sauce as an ingredient, including meatballs, oden, and stewed meat. The taste is fragrant with spices and delicious.

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We then walked to the Casino Lisboa building, where an exhibition of antique artwork was on display. The exhibition included intricate gold and wood carvings, among other pieces. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the pieces were truly beautiful.

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After exploring the area, we went outside to capture the evening lights in front of the hotel. The weather was perfect, around 18-22 degrees Celsius, making for a comfortable stroll. We then returned to our accommodation.

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Day 2

We woke up at 6:00 AM because we had a packed schedule for the day. We bought breakfast at 7-Eleven and ate it in our room since most restaurants were still closed. After breakfast, our first stop was the Ruins of St. Paul's, which is about a 10-minute walk from our accommodation. The Ruins are a landmark of Macau, and we wanted to arrive early to avoid crowds for photos. However, we weren't early enough, as there were already people who had woken up earlier than us.

This church, built in the early 1700s, is a significant landmark in Macau. It served as a school for Western missionaries spreading their faith in Asia. In 1835, a fire destroyed the church, leaving only the facade standing. The church was subsequently rebuilt in 1991, while the remains of the fire-damaged structure were preserved and turned into a museum behind the facade.

After taking photos, we walked to the left side of the church gate, where we found the Na Tcha Temple. This temple is a unique blend of Chinese and Western cultures. The temple itself is a small, ancient Chinese-style building located next to the ancient wall of St. Paul's Church. The wall is made of readily available materials such as clay, sand, rice straw, crushed stone, and shells.

The temple is not very crowded today, and the atmosphere is peaceful.

After taking a break, we walked to the right of St. Paul's Cathedral, where there is a path leading up to Mount Fortress and the Macau Museum. We did not enter the museum because it was too early and it was not yet open.

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From the top of the fortress, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Macau.

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The surrounding area is a popular spot for locals to relax, socialize, and exercise in the mornings.

After taking photos at the fortress, we walked along the small street in front of the ruins of St. Paul's Gate, heading towards Senado Square. Along the way, we encountered a pedestrian street lined with shops selling Macau's famous snacks. We had a delightful time strolling and buying souvenirs.

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Walking along the pedestrian street, we soon arrived at Senado Square. This is a popular meeting place in the heart of Macau. It was already crowded, but it was even more crowded because we were there on a Saturday and Sunday.

The surrounding area is characterized by old buildings constructed in the Neoclassical architectural style. It also serves as a hub for jewelry stores, fashion boutiques, and restaurants.

Next to the Senate is St. Dominic's Church, renowned for its exquisite religious art.

Photography is permitted inside the church, but visitors are requested to maintain a respectful demeanor as staff are present to ensure order.

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Continuing straight ahead from Senado Square, you will find the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macau.

We stepped inside the building, which was beautifully decorated in a European style, with stunning gardens.

After leaving the Macau Municipal Building, we stopped for lunch at Hou Keng Fan Tim, a restaurant located near Senado Square.

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This restaurant is famous for its delicious marinated red pork, but I ended up ordering crispy pork rice and duck rice instead. The owner doesn't speak English, so I pointed at the menu and he accidentally made the wrong dish. However, both the crispy pork rice and duck rice were still delicious.

After finishing our meal, we continued our journey to the next destination: St. Augustine Square.

A square surrounded by important landmarks, including the Dom Pedro V Theatre, the first Western-style theater in China.

The interior of the theatre housed a library, a ballroom, and served as a venue for various dance and musical performances. It was later established as the Macau Cinema.

St. Joseph's Seminary and Church

Nearby is the 'Sir Robert Ho Tung Library', named after Sir Robert Ho Tung, a Hong Kong businessman. After his death, he donated this house to the Macau government to be used as a public library.

This place is beautifully constructed, and the surroundings are lush and verdant, making it an ideal spot for reading books.

St. Augustine's Church

When we visited the church, it was under renovation. Afterwards, we walked to the bus stop on the same side as Senado Square to take bus route 26A to the A-Ma Cultural Village, where the statue of the goddess A-Ma is located. You can check the bus routes at the bus stop. The fare is 6.4 HKD.

The Macau Tower can be seen along the way.

The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car. We checked the GPS on our mobile phones and got off at the bus stop before the entrance to the village. There is a mini-bus stop there that goes up to the top where the Amah statue is located. The ride is free and the buses come every 15-20 minutes. However, it takes a while to get there because they have to wait for the bus to be full before they leave.

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The distance to the top is 1.9 km, but it is not recommended to walk up as the path is very steep.

Upon reaching the summit, we encounter the culturally rich Ama Village, adorned with exquisite Chinese architectural elements.

After completing our walk around the area, we ascended the hill for approximately 10 minutes. There, we encountered a marble statue of Amah, crafted by a local stone artisan. The statue stands at an impressive 19.99 meters tall. This elevated location offers a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view.

On the way back, we waited for the minibus at the original parking lot to go down. Then we took bus number 50 to Coloane Village. The fare was 2.8 HKD. The bus ride was not long.

Coloane Village is a small village by the sea. The houses are old Portuguese-style houses.

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By the time we arrived, it was already evening. There were many shops, restaurants, and various snacks to try. Notably, the famous Macau egg tart shop, "Lord Stow Bakery," the original store, was located here. We stopped for dinner at this restaurant.

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After lunch, we took a leisurely stroll to the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier.

This church, built in 1928 and dedicated to the Spanish Saint Francis Xavier, boasts a beautiful yellow exterior. Rumor has it that this very spot served as the filming location for the Korean drama series "The Princess and the Matchmaker."

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We took a leisurely stroll around the village. On our way back, we caught the bus at the original stop near the roundabout. Look for the large Fanta bottle next to the bus stop. We took bus number 26A and got off near Senedo. We wandered around for a bit before returning to our accommodation.

Day 3

We woke up at 7 am and had breakfast in our room as usual. After checking out, we planned to visit three places before catching our flight at the airport around 3 pm. Our first stop was St. Lawrence's Church.

This church is one of the three oldest churches in Macau. The interior is beautifully decorated and very peaceful. We didn't stay long to take pictures because local residents kept coming in to pray, as it was Sunday and the church was a bit crowded.

From the church, we continued walking following the signs. It wasn't long before we arrived at the Mandarin House, a traditional Chinese house built in 1881 by the renowned Chinese author Cheng Guan Ying.

The compound consists of multiple buildings surrounding a shared central courtyard. The architectural style blends traditional Chinese elements with Western influences. The opening hours are 10:00 AM.

Inside, carpenters are working on their craft.

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This location also features a souvenir shop.

From here, we will walk to the A-Ma Temple, which is about a 10-minute walk away.

A Timeless Temple: A Journey Through Wat A Ma

Nestled amidst the bustling city, Wat A Ma stands as a testament to time, its ancient walls whispering tales of devotion and resilience. Ascending the temple's steps, one embarks on a pilgrimage through history, each level unveiling a treasure trove of spiritual significance.

Shrines adorned with intricate carvings, weathered pagodas, and ancient gateways beckon the faithful, inviting them to seek blessings and solace. The air hums with the murmur of prayers, a symphony of hope and gratitude echoing through the centuries.

Wat A Ma's architectural splendor reflects the rich tapestry of Chinese heritage, its ornate structures whispering stories of cultural exchange and artistic mastery. The vibrant atmosphere pulsates with life, a testament to the enduring faith that binds generations together.

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The front of the temple has a public park for relaxation.

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On the way back, we walked to the bus stop on the same side as the Senedo 26A bus and took it to the Venetian for 6.4 HKD. We then took the Venetian's free shuttle bus from the main lobby to the airport.

Summary of expenses for 3 days 2 nights (excluding airfare)
-Happy Family Hotel 2 nights 5390฿ divided by 2= 2,695 baht
– Food expenses = 1,745 baht
– Bus fare in Macau =88 baht
– Taxi fare divided by 2 = 244 baht
-Phone sim card (purchased in Thailand)= 399 baht
= Total 5,171 baht per person

::::Thank you to everyone who followed our journey and photos◡̈See you again on our next trip:::