Overview of Macau Shopping

In the touristy historic centre, you’ll find plenty of shops and stalls selling inexpensive items such as magnets, postcards, t-shirts and other trinkets.

Meanwhile, glossy malls house plenty of international designer brands. Although lovely, many of these items can be found in just about any major city in the world.

However, if you’re looking for something a little more special or unique to take home with you, we’ve put together this handy list.

Macau Souvenir Shops

Mandarin House Gift Shop

Off Lilau Square, you can visit the historic Mandarin’s House. Their gift shop has some great offerings.

Address: No.10 Travessa de Antonio da Silva, Largo do Lilau, São Lourenço, Macau

Panda Gift Shop

If you visit Macau’s pandas in Seac Pai Van Park, be sure to stop in at the onsite gift shop for lots of panda themed goodies, especially if you’re travelling with kids.

Overall, Seac Pai Van Park is a tiny attraction, but a very worthwhile and affordable way to see both pandas and lesser-known red pandas. You can learn about Panda conservation and also enjoy the flora and fauna. There are several resident primates and also a small aviary. Information boards are in Chinese, Portuguese and English.

You will also find a playground to keep the little ones happy.

Macau Creations

Find the Cunha Bazaar building in Taipa above the Choi Heong Yuen Bakery. Within this brightly coloured building, there are 3 entire floors of goods made by local artists and a gallery space.

Address: Rua do Cunha No. 33-35 R/C Taipa, Macau

Souvenirs and Gifts Ideas

Macau Starbucks Mug

These won’t be to everybody’s taste, but Starbucks mugs from around the world are highly collectable. The Macau mugs are available at Starbucks in the Venetian and also in Taipa.

Psst, if you forgot to buy one of these in Macau, some of the Hong Kong Starbucks also sell them.

T-Shirts

For Macau inspired T-Shirts, socks and keyrings visit Loving Macau.

Pandora

Check out this cute and quirky limited edition charm created for the Hong Kong and Macau market. It features and an egg tart, milk tea and a pineapple bun.

Macau Books and Films

Macau may be tiny, but with an eclectic mix of influences from East and West, combined with a world class gambling hotspot, it’s an excellent backdrop for intrigue.

That being the case, we’ve pulled together a list of the best books set in Macau to give you a virtual Macau Bookshelf.
including guidebooks and fiction. Any of these would be fantastic Macau souvenirs.

And for the movie buffs, we also have a list of Macau Movies and Films.

Macau Private Tour

Of course, experiences make the best memories to take home. To ensure you explore Macau in style, why not gift yourself and your travel companions with a private tour led by our guide Aubrey.

Book your guided tour of Macau here.

Other Information About Macau

Find out more about getting from Hong Kong to Macau (or Macau to Hong Kong) by bus here.

Discover the differences between Macau egg tarts and Hong Kong egg tarts here.

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We’re surprised Macau hasn’t been used as a movie location more often. It has a unique and colourful blend of architecture, with both Chinese and Portuguese influences. Additionally, you will find a cluster of glittering and unique modern buildings along the Cotai strip. And of course let’s not forget the iconic Golden Lotus shaped casino.

You’ve probably seen at least one of these films, but perhaps not realized where they were set/filmed. Nevertheless, here are our top Macau movie locations.

Macau/Macao Movie Locations

Macao

Macao is a 1952 film noir. It is both the oldest film on our list and also the only where almost the entire story takes place in Macau. Starring silver screen legends Robert Mitchum and Jane Russell it’s filmed in black and white and looks a dated to modern audiences.

Three strangers meet on a boat trip from Hong Kong to Macau. Intrigue centres around a casino that is involved in some shady dealings and the two main characters played by Mitchum and Russell have a bumpy road to romance.

Now You See Me: The Second Act

Following the success of the original Now You See Me film, where a group of talented magicians team up to perform an impossible heist in front of a live audience, a second film reunited most of the cast for a second adventure.

Part of this film was set in Macau. Iong’s Magic Shop is an actual magic shop that has been in Macau for the last 30 years. You can visit the shop yourself and stock up on all sorts of equipment to help you practice sleight of hand.

The famous Sands casino, colorful and once infamous Rua de Felicidad and the Macau Science Centre were also used as film locations.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

The opening scene of this family favorite film, supposedly set in Shanghai, was in fact shot in Macau. The hotel used as the Club Obi Wan was the Pensão Sun Sun Hotel, however, the Pensão no longer exists and a newer one stands in its place. In a nod to the film, the current hotel has called its bar the Obi Wan bar.

Harrison Ford stars as Indian Jones, the sometimes mild-mannered tweed jacketed professor of archeology, his alter-ego being the cocky, whip cracking adventurer who heads off on dangerous quests to find lost treasures.

This is the second film in the series, preceded by Raiders of the Lost Ark and followed by The Last Crusade and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull, a fifth instalment is planned for 2022, but where will it be filmed?

The Man with the Golden Gun

James Bond is possibly the silver screen’s most famous spy. In The Man with the Golden Gun, Roger Moore stars as 007.

Sadly, the famous Macau Palace floating casino where the action took place, is no more. It was reportedly towed away in 2007.

Skyfall

Last, but not least, we have Skyfall. This is the second James Bond movie on our list, although its place is a little tenuous.

Here, Daniel Craig stars as James Bond and travels from ancient Istanbul to the glamour of Macau. However, frustratingly the Macau scenes were shot at Pinewood Studios in the UK rather than on location. Again, there is a (different) floating casino in this film, but don’t waste time searching for it, this one never existed in reality and was a studio-built film set.

Did any of those Macau movie locations surprise you?

Learn More about Macau

• Book a private tour of Macau.
• Learn how to take a bus from Hong Kong to Macau.
• Understand the difference between Hong Kong and Macau Egg Tarts.

Armchair Travel Macau and Hong Kong

Check out our other Armchair Travel Posts

• Hong Kong Coffee Table Books
• Hong Kong Kids Books
• Macau Bookshelf

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Macau Fiction

As you’ll see from the list, the majority of books are thrillers with storylines featuring gambling, gangsters and prostitution. There is of course more to Macau than this, but with casinos being the main draw it’s not surprising that most books fall into the thriller/noir genres .

The King of Macau

Jake Needham’s The King of Macau is book 4 in the Jack Shepherd series. From his Hong Kong base the main character heads to neighbouring Macau to investigate possible money laundering at one of the many casinos.

It turns into a thrilling fast-paced adventure as he realises that he has become entangled in something far more sinister and dangerous than he imaged with North Korean hitman and a defector added into the mix. 

Each book in the series is a standalone novel, so you could read this with or without reading the others which are set in various locations including Hong Kong. 

City of Broken Promises

Published in the late 60’s, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s a little dated. However, as one Amazon reviewer (N.Madsen) put it, City of Broken Promises by Austin Coates is: “The Best (only?) attempt to portray old Macau in fiction…” This rags to riches tale is set in the late 1700’s and follows Martha Merop, a baby abandoned at birth, who is later sold into prostitution before eventually becoming tremendously weathly.

Martha da Silva Merop was a real person, but the story woven about her in City of Broken Promises is mostly fiction.

The Red Pole of Macau

In the Red Pole of Macau by Ian Hamilton, a multimillion-dollar real-estate deal in Macau goes South, it gets even worse when it turns out the developers are gangsters.

Ava Lee is a dauntless forensic accountant. She steps in to try and untangle the subsequent mess that her half-brother and his business partner find themselves in.

The stakes are raised even higher, when her brother’s business partner is kidnapped.

There are several other ‘Ava Lee’ books in the series.

Heart of Glass

Heart of Glass by Malaysian author Ivy Ngeow is set in the 1980’s. Con artist Li-An is ready to move on from her shady existance where she lingers in bars with her partner in crime, first drugging and subsequently robbing wealthy men that they meet.  She is also a talented musician and when she is offered the opportunity to relocate to Macau to work as a piano-player she grabs the opportunity.

However, things don’t go smoothly when she meets compulsive gambler Ben, who hatches a plan to kill her boss….

The Ballad of a Small Player

Lawrence Osborne’s The Ballad of a Small Player is described as “A riveting tale of risk and obsession set in the alluring world of Macau’s casinos, by the author of the critically acclaimed The Forgiven.”

Although this is a slim novel, Osborne expertly employs his background in travel writing to bring Macau to life.

Main character Doyle is in self-exile in Macau. He’s there to avoid prosecution for embezzlement and is burning the candle at both ends. As he steadily gambles away his ill-gotten gains at the baccarat tables his past returns to haunt him.
 

The Living Room of the Dead

This is the first book in the Ray Sharp series, by Eric Stone. Essentially,  The Living Room of the Dead is a detective thriller and seemingly is based on real events.  American detective Ray Sharp gets caught up in murky underworld of the Russian white slave trade, so much more than he bargained for when trying to do a good deed and help someone out. The story starts in Hong Kong, before moving to Macau and finally to Vladivostok. 

Macau Guide Books

As Macau is so small, a little over 115 square kilometers with a population of around 650,000 souls, it has been a challenge to find a dedicated Macau guide book.

Generally, Macau guides are included in Hong Kong Guide Books as a small chapter towards the back, nevertheless we’ve found two options for you.

Explore Macau: A Walking Guide and History

Happily, after much searching, we’ve discovered Explore Macau: A Walking Guide and History by Todd Crowell. Although the title sounds a little dry, the reviews are quite encouraging.

If you are looking for a guide book that exclusively covers Macau, this is a solid contender.

Published in 2011, it’s still recent enough to be relevant.

Strolling in Macau: A Visitor’s Guide to Macau, Taipa and Colane

Alternatively, you could try Strolling in Macau: A Visitor’s Guide to Macau, Taipa and Colane by Stephen K. Bailey. Reviews are mixed. This book provides several walking routes, primarily in the World Heritage area, but is seemingly light on instruction detailing how to get to the start point.

Discover our favourite Hong Kong Coffee Table Books and Hong Kong Children’s Books.

Book a private tour of Macau or Hong Kong.

Understand the difference between Hong Kong Egg Tarts and Macau Egg Tarts.

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There’s nothing like a bit of friendly rivalry, which is exactly what we have in this corner of the world when it comes to the egg tarts of Hong Kong vs the egg tarts of Macau. The origins are somewhat obscured by the mists of time, so we’ll do our best to untangle them for you.

The Hong Kong Egg Tart

History

The Brits have been churning out custard tarts since medieval times and are said to have brought them to this corner of the world in the early 1900’s. Hong Kong has cheerfully adopted and adapted them, the result being the egg tarts we eat today. Many bakeries offer them and they are an inexpensive must-try treat if you’re visiting.

Tai Cheong bakeries are probably Hong Kong’s most famous egg tart bakers. They have been purveyors of egg tarts since the 1950’s and Chris Patten, the last Governor of Hong Kong was a regular customer back in the day. There are a few of theses bakeries dotted about the city, the one on Lyndhurst Terrace, Central almost always has a queue outside. If you’re visiting the Peak, there is also one inside the Peak Galleria on the second floor.

Ingredients

The Macau Egg Tart

History

Macau’s Portuguese egg tarts, sometimes referred to as Macanese egg tarts are the legacy of Lord Stow. Their creator was not actually a Lord. In fact he was called Andrew Stow and Lord Stow was a nickname. Originally he moved to Macau as a pharmacist, who in later years turned his skills to formulating a winning recipe.

Portugal has been the home to the Pastel de Nata since the 18th century.  On a visit to Portugal, Andrew Stow was very taken with the traditional Pastel de Nata and returned to Macau determined to recreate these delicious tarts. He didn’t have an exact recipe and experimented until he found a winning formula. Launched in 1989 he gave them away free to begin with and soon these egg tarts caught on like wildfire and have since become a quintessential symbol of Macau.

Ingredients

It turns out that Lord Stow’s recipe is a closely guarded secret, so we can’t tell you exactly what goes into the Macanese egg tarts. Unlike the short crust casing favoured by the Hong Kong egg tarts, Macau’s Portuguese egg tarts are made of  puff pastry. The Macanese egg tarts are sweeter than the Hong Kong ones and the tops are carmelised.  They use just the egg yolks rather than the whole egg and we don’t think they contain evaporated milk.

Looking at other Portuguese egg tart recipes, we reckon the puff pastry probably includes butter, flour, water and salt. Whereas the filling most likely includes sugar, water, milk, flour and egg yolks.

Our Verdict

Honestly, we think they’re both delicious. However, for us, the Hong Kong egg tart wins by a whisker. This is due to a mild personal preference for short crust pastry over flaky pastry and perhaps a little bit of bias because we love Hong Kong.

We’d be delighted to help you take a taste-test to decide which version you prefer. We can easily include a Hong Kong egg tart tasting during one of our walking tours or food tours. And, if you’re heading to Macau, why not book our guide Aubrey to show you around, he can certainly include a stop at Lord Stow’s bakery so that you can try the Macanese version.

Hong Kong vs Macau

In case you didn’t know, Hong Kong and Macau are close neighbours. Both are Special Administrative regions of China and both are worth a visit. Hong Kong is the larger and better known of the two. Formerly it was a British Colony, it’s a true melting pot of east meets west. Famous sights include the Big Buddha and world famous harbour and skyscraper panorama. Additionally there is both a bustling financial district and an abundance of nature and stunning hikes.On the other hand Macau was once a Portuguese colony and to this day there are pockets of beautiful architecture such as the ruins of St Pauls. Macau’s other big draw is its casinos.

Rather than comparing and competing, we think Hong Kong vs Macau are places that complement one another, similar, but different. Find out how to catch a bus from Hong Kong to Macau here.

Visit Hong Kong

Hong Kong Greeters offer private walking tours, groups tours, virtual tours and self-guided Hong Kong Quests. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to see how we can help you enjoy our city.

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A staycation has all the benefits of vacation, but without the cost or hassle of checking in for a flight or needing to think about vaccinations or visas.

We’ve done the leg work for you and rounded up some great deals. What are you waiting for?

Best Hong Kong Staycation offers – October 2019

The Kerry Hotel

One night stay in Deluxe room + breakfast and dinner for $2700 or $2300 in city view room.  Plus 10% service and need to sign up as a Golden Circle member (it’s free to do this).  The Kerry boasts fabulous views across Victoria Harbour towards Hong Kong Island.  Even if you opt for the city view room, you can still take advantage of the outlook from the roof top pool or terrace at the onsite bar, Red Sugar.

Hotel Icon – top pick!

Calling all foodies, Hotel Icon is running a great ‘Foodcation‘ offer.  Prices range from $1500 on weekdays to $1700 at the weekend and pair it with a meal for 2 in one of their many outlets.  Set in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, Hotel Icon offers spectacular views and excellent service.

The Murray

Head Island-side to enjoy all that this new 5* hotel offers.  If you’re quick, you can book a deluxe (47 sq m) for $2800 or a superior (36 sq m) for $2600 any day of the week.  Includes breakfast and $1200 dining credit in their restaurants. Plus 10%.  The Murray’s afternoon tea comes highly recommended, so this is definitely worth considering as an add on.

The Upper House

This hotel is based close to Admiralty on Hong Kong Island. Architecturally designed, with paperless check-in and out and a well stocked complimentary mini bar, Upper House has a great September offer for you. Rates start at $3800 per night including breakfast for two and a $500 dining voucher. 10% service charge applies.  Check the link for additional information.

The Peninsula

Stay in one of Hong Kongs’ most famous hotels.  The Peninsula offers old world charm and true luxury. It sits just a stones throw from Kowloons biggest draws, whether it’s shopping on Nathan Road, taking in a concert at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre or chugging across Victoria on the Star ferry.

Use offer code PHK1928 for a discounted room rate, valid until 11th December.  $3800 with breakfast and includes $800 dining credit. A late check out at 4pm means you can make the most of your short staycation. Another thought is that the money you save on not flying to your destination could instead be put towards a fabulous helicopter ride over Hong Kong.

Also a little secret if it’s your birthday coming up, room rates as low as HK $1800 if staying within a day of your birth date.

Hong Kong Disneyland

If you’re looking for a family friendly option, Disney is always a winner. Find out about current ticket offers for Hong Kong residents here, they are offering two park visits between now and Halloween for HK $688 (Hong Kong residents). They have a 20% discounted room rate for Hong Kong residents, additional details of the hotel offer can be found here.

Macau – more than a Staycation, let’s call it a Just-over-the-waycation

If a Hong Kong staycation is too close to home, why not head over the water to neighbouring Macau.  We call this a just-over-the-waycation.  It’s may only be 65.7 kilometers from Hong Kong, but feels like half a world a way from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong. With the choice of a high speed ferry or catching a bus across the new bridge, it’s easier than ever to get there.

The Venetian

There are lots of great offers, but if you want to cut out the hassle of booking ferry tickets and a hotel, you could try The Venetians’ ferry package.  From $1549, it includes a Royal Deluxe suite for 2 and round trip ferry tickets, subject to availability of course.

St Regis

Alternatively, if you’re taking the family, check out the St Regis, they have a nice package for 2 adults, 2 kids (under 12).  It starts from $1888 per night. Package includes Deluxe Room, breakfast OR lunch and an age appropriate take home item for the kids.

Water Park Fun

Equally, if you’re taking the kids, consider buying a Galaxy Pass for plenty of water-park fun. You don’t have to be staying at the Galaxy to take advantage of this offer.

*All prices are quoted in HK$ and are correct at time of writing, but may be subject to change.

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Shenzhen is just across the border that separates the Special Administrative Region that is Hong Kong from Mainland China.  At 15 million, its population if pretty much double that of vibrant Hong Kong.

Things to do in Shenzhen

Visit Splendid China

With miniature models of China’s greatest architecture this presents lots of great photo opportunities.  For further details and up to date pricing, click here.

Shop until you Drop

Buy a knock off Gucci bag or order affordable spectacle lenses.  Have a tailor made suit or dress run up.  Or if you’re living in Hong Kong, you can customise furniture and soft furnishings and have them delivered to you in Hong Kong.  If you head on to Da Fen village, artists there can copy artwork for you from a photograph. The options are mind boggling.  We found this handy article which breaks down some of the shopping options for you.

There are plenty more things to do and see in Shenzhen, but if it’s just a flying visit, these are our two top highlights.

How to get to Shenzhen

The MTR East Rail Line goes all the way there.  Take a train to Lo Wu.

If you’re only going to Shenzhen, you can get a visa at the border.  You should be prepared to queue.  Note a visa on the day allowing you to enter Shenzhen will not suffice for travelling on wards and further into China, you would need to apply in advance for a visa to Mainland China.

Macau

Similar to Hong Kong, neighbouring Macau is also a Special Administrative Region of China.  With an interesting mix of Chinese and Portuguese architechture and culture and a phenomenal gambling scene, it’s also worth a visit.  Find out more about our tours to Macau here.

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