Hong Kong – Macau is a great location for a short getaway, 4-7 days works well to include both cities.  There are a number of ways you can choose to visit both cities and my recent visit was flying from Singapore to Macau and stay for two days and catch the ferry to Hong Kong.  From Hong Kong, we flew back to Singapore.  You can do it the other way round too or use Hong Kong as your base and do a day trip to Macau.  It really depends on how you like it.  However, there are not many flights that are able to fly into Macau International airport, especially for the flights coming from US and European region.

Language use: English, Cantonese & Mandarin

In this article, you will read about:

• How to use free public transport in Macau
• Macau top casinos
• Macau Ferry Terminal
• Macau Airport
• Hong Kong International Airport
• Hong Kong public transport – MTR review
• Hong Kong Street Food
• Top places to visit in Hong Kong & Macau
• Cruise in Victorica Harbour with Aqua Luna Junk Boat
• Where to stay in Hong Kong & Macau

Other top places to add in are the Peak, Disneyland & Ocean Park which is highly recommended.

Macau Itinerary

1. Macau Fisherman’s Wharf

If you like great photos for your Instagram account, then pay a visit to the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf.  It has plenty of nice instagrammable spots.  The crowds are less as compared to other attractions in Macau.  Not sure why there aren’t many visitors, I guess people are all at the gambling tables at the casinos.  Please do not have a very high expectation when visiting this place.  Like I say, it is cool if you love photos shooting.

It is located within walking distance from the ferry terminal.

2. Ruins of St Paul’s Macau

You can never be in Macau without a photo of the St Paul ruins, this is the landmark of Macau. Check out the top things to do and other top sites nearby.

3. A-Ma Temple & The Giant Bronze Guanyin Statue

Do include A-Ma temple and have a stroll around the surrounding of the temple. It is small but worth to pay a visit since the name of Macau (Ma Kok in Cantonese or MaGe in Mandarin) actually originated from this temple. Furthermore, this temple is also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. A good half an hour is perfect for the visit to A-Ma temple.

Not far from A-Ma temple there is the huge bronze Guan Yin Statue. The Guan Yin statue is located near the sea, along Ave Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. Quite isolated but can be seen from far. The sculpture of Kuan Yin in Macau is simple but elegant. It was sculptured by a famous Portuguese artist name Cristina Rocha and look carefully at the face of the Guan-yin, you will see a blend of European and Eastern elements.

4. Grand Lisboa Macau

Casino & Gambling is part of the culture in Macau, so hoping all the elegant and grand hotels casinos for free is something you need to do while in Macau. That’s why people called Macau “The Las Vegas of Asia”. My favorite picks of all the hotels & Casinos are Grand Lisboa also an icon in Macau. It is owned by the richest man in Macau and he is also nicknamed King of Gambling or Godfather of Macau, Stanley Ho who owned in total 19 other casinos in Macau. The architecture is stunning and brilliant, similar to the lotus and opening petals at the bottom. But some say it looks like a “pineapple” also known to bring in lots of luck according to Chinese belief.

5. Venetian Macau

Macau city is about gambling, gambling, and gambling, there are more than 40 casinos and could be even more but the biggest is The Venetian. Do use the free transport if you are coming either from Hong Kong by the ferry terminal or Macau Airport.  Check out the top 12 things before you reach Venetian Macau.

6. Where to stay in Macau? Emperor Palace Hotel

 Grand Emperor Hotel Palace is conveniently located near the shopping and Grand Lisboa Hotel.  Overall a comfortable stay as the room is spacious and complimented with very good quality hotel breakfast.

7. Macau Airport Review

The Macau Airport is small and not many flights are able to fly in but luckily there are direct flights from Malaysia and Singapore so you can always plan to touch down in Macau then flying out from Hong Kong Airport or vice versa.

8. Macau – Hong Kong Ferry Terminal Review

There are several ways to visit Hong Kong from Macau and TurboJET is the most convenient way to reach Hong Kong from Macau or vice versa.  An hour pleasant ride to reach Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Itinerary

9. Ten Things to do in Mongkok, the crowded corner of Hong Kong

The name Mong Kok in Cantonese means busy corner, it has most congested shopping and famous for popular markets, such as the Ladies’ Market. Another thing you may want to do is doing a food tour in Mongkok.  Check out the 10 things you can do in Mongkok.

10. Victoria Harbour Hong Kong

A visit to Victoria Harbour is a must for any first-time traveler to Hong Kong.  It is the gem and signature of Hong Kong.

11. Red Junk Boat Ride Review – The Aqualuna

One of the best ways to experience Victoria Harbour is cruising. My recent experience of cruising was with the red junk boat called AquaLuna. Red Junk boats are considered one of the icons in Hong Kong besides the tall skyscrapers and neon lights.

12. Hong Kong Street Food

Hong Kong is the gourmet paradise and everyone visiting Hong Kong is ready to eat. The food guide here will tell you some of the food that you may want to try out.

13. Queen Sophie Bakery Review- A bite of love in Mongkok

Queen Sophie is specialized in egg tarts, located in Mong Kok. You will get attracted to the big collection of egg tarts here.

14. How to get around in Hong Kong with public transport?

Hong Kong public transport such as the MTR is still the most convenient choice to travel around. The historical Ding Ding tram and minibus are something you may want to consider trying them out, get a taste of the local style experience. You may or may not like it especially the minibus’s driver attitude. LOL.

15. Big Buddha Tian Tan in Lantau Island Hong Kong

Big Buddha is a must visit spot in Hong Kong. I highly recommend anyone to go up to Big Buddha Lantau with Ngong Ping Cable car. You may want to have the vegetarian meal at Po Lin Monastery which is located opposite of Big Buddha, just 5 mins walk.

16. Hong Kong Fishing Village Tai-O

Tai O fishing village is good to be included with your one day tour with Big Buddha Tian Tan Lantau Island. You get a peek on how’s life is like in the fishing village, the stilt houses, fishing boats, and fresh seafood make this place very interesting to visit. A boat ride through the fishing village HKD 25 is highly recommended as you also get to go further up to the sea.  Check out the 33 things to know before you visit Tai-O.

17. Temple Street Night Market Jordan

Temple Street also is known as “Men Street” Night Market is one of the well-known street markets in Hong Kong. However, there is one thing to note, the market only starts at nights so do visit when the sky turns dark, say 7 pm onwards. To be honest, Temple Street Night Market Hong Kong is pretty much similar to the night market I have visited in Vietnam, Chiang Mai, Singapore, and Malaysia. Even the things sold are pretty much the same. It does not interest me to look at the stuff at all but I do enjoy watching people eating in the Dai Pai Dong, open-air street stalls. As for myself, I love the night stroll with Hong Kong street food and some desserts in the Tong Sui Shop.

18. Hong Kong “Cha Chaan Teng” Restaurant Culture

Cha Chaan Teng restaurant is something you need to try when visiting Hong Kong. It can be found in every corner in Hong Kong with affordable menus. The setting is usually an old fashion style cafe in the 60s or 70s. The menu is a mixture of western & Chinese food with several of the signature dishes.

19. West Hotel in Jordan, Hong Kong

Hong Kong hotels are usually a lot smaller compared to other hotels that I have visited in the world. The price is also not cheap as compared to other Asian countries. There isn’t enough land for the people in Hong Kong I guess, the island is surrounded by mountains and very little developable land. Can you believe that Hong Kong was also ranked the most expensive housing market in the world!

In order to find a decent hotel which is convenient and spacious is not easy unless you are willing to pay more. Luckily we managed to book at the West Hotel in Jordan, Hong Kong.  Jordan is located in the central part of Yau Tsim Mong District and nearby you can find Temple Street Market and plenty of eateries and easy access to MTR station.

Check out the West Hotel Review here!

20. Hong Kong International Airport

You can arrive at the Hong Kong International Airport with an empty stomach as there are many restaurants to choose from.  Do come early, dine in one of your favorite cuisines and then shop around.