Travel Editor Lydia Don documents her solo trip to Macau, a tiny destination with so much to offer
I remember when I told my friends and family that I was travelling to Macau for the weekend. I was met with many a puzzled face. ‘What is Macau?’ ‘Where is it?’ Macau is a relatively unpopular destination, purely since so many have not heard of it. Being situated an hours boat ride from Hong Kong, it is usually overshadowed by its easterly neighbour. Whilst I loved Hong Kong, Macau was such a surprise that it turned out to be one of my favourite trips I took during my year in Asia. If you want a less touristy destination nestled within East Asia, Macau might just be the place to visit.
Getting Around
Macau is one of the most walkable places I have ever visited. I did not use public transport or taxis once during my three-day visit. Walking the length of Macau takes about three hours in my experience; I even went as far as walking to the airport on the southernmost island from my hotel on the northernmost island. Whilst I didn’t find myself stumbling across ‘hidden gems’ (cafes, shops, places frequented by the locals), being able to walk along the coast – with views of China and Hong Kong on either side – was completely joyous.
Walking the length of Macau takes about 3 hours in my experience; I even went as far as walking to the airport on the southernmost island from my hotel on the northernmost island
Hotels
Amongst those who know anything about Macau, it is notoriously named ‘the Vegas of Asia’. This tiny region spanning only 33.3 square kilometres has an abundance of casinos situated within impressively stylised hotels: the Grand Lisboa (a gold skyscraper that can be seen for miles), the Londoner, the Venetian and the Parisian. And yes, these hotels are exactly as you are imagining them looking like. Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower and Venice’s famous canals all make an appearance on Macau’s southernmost island. These team up as not only hotels and casinos but also shopping malls. They certainly are very ‘fake’ and unoriginal in their architecture. However, saying that, they all seemed weirdly unique, besides the Londoner being rather jarring with Union Jacks being plastered everywhere! Whether you love them or hate them, you cannot deny that these structures are incredibly impressive.
History
Macau was a Portuguese colony from 1557 until it was handed over to China in 1999. Apart from the road signs being written in both Chinese and Portuguese, the colonial influence can be traced throughout Macau. Senado Square, for example, adorns tiled floors and distinctively European architecture of its surrounding buildings, including St. Dominic’s Church. It really did feel like stepping back into Europe as I wandered the streets drenched in the yellow hue reflecting from the buildings. And, of course, you cannot miss out on a traditional Portuguese egg tart, which are sold all over the island (with my personal favourite being from Lord Stowe’s bakery, which claims to be the creator of the egg tart which is now so famous in the region).
The Taipa Houses are also worth a visit for history buffs. The unmistakable mint green houses overlooking their lush gardens were built in 1921 and used to accommodate senior civil servants and their families who vacated in the early 1990s to make ways for the houses to be established into a series of museums. I particularly enjoyed the Creative Casa which showcased and sold artwork and prints, as well as the Macanese Living Museum which displayed the interiors and practices of an everyday Macanese family.
Probably Macau’s most famous attraction is the Ruins of St. Paul’s: a façade which used to be the face of the Church of Mater Dei which stood there until it was destroyed in a fire in 1835. The façade was saved and preserved, standing atop a grand staircase and offering views over Macau’s northernmost island. With the futuristic Grand Lisboa illuminated in the distance, bathed in gold, Macau’s versatility is really shown off.
With the futuristic Grand Lisboa illuminated in the distance, bathed in gold, Macau’s versatility is really shown off.
Now when I talk about Macau, my friends and family do not look so puzzled. I have spoken so much about my trip there since it was such a pleasant surprise. Though less famous than Hong Kong, Macau has a much different feel to it whilst also being much less touristy. I would recommend Macau to anybody seeking a more unique, and more untouched, destination in Asia – just make sure you get there before everybody else does!
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