Boasting impressive sights such as the Ruins of St Paul’s and many others, Macao is moving towards becoming a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. However, the vibrant city is often mistaken as a tourist hot spot exclusively for those who can afford it. This colourful culture hub may only look fit for the rich, but don’t be deceived!
You don’t actually have to break the bank to live out these exciting experiences. Here are some places for you to check out the next time you’re there!
1. Macao Light Festival
The best time to visit Macao is during the year-end and that’s because it’s the only time you’ll get to witness the Macao Light Festival! If you didn’t know already, this is the MOST ANTICIPATED event Macao hosts annually. Not to mention it’s FREE too!
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The highly celebrated event encapsulates the heart of this pumping city, as it involves visitors to join in on experiencing Macao’s local culture with outdoor performances, interactive games and super IG-worthy light installations that are aesthetically pleasing to your eyes and your feed.
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![[TEST] “Macao Too Expensive Lah” If this is You, Here Are 6 Affordable Things You Can Do That’ll Surprise You! - WORLD OF BUZZ 4](https://worldofbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/test-macao-too-expensive-lah-if-this-is-you-here-are-6-affordable-things-you-can-do-thatll-surprise-you-world-of-buzz-5.jpg)
This year, from 1st to 31st December 2019, Macao will illuminate its city once again. Here’s why it’s amazing:
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- 4 teams from Spain, Portugal, Japan, and China will join 2 local teams to present an array of projection mapping shows
- There’ll also be light installations, interactive games and more
- It covers 15 locations across 4 districts where you’ll be able to experience the charm of each community
- The venue is specifically done in a way that visitors will flow from one location to another without missing any light installations!
- PLENTY of photo opportunities
Plus, you get FREE gift redemptions by taking photos when you’re there and using #macaolightfestival2019 on your social media!
If you accumulate more than 20 likes on your post, then you can redeem an amazing glowing card there! Wowwww!
There are so many amazing things to expect from this festival, we’ll elaborate later on!
2. Explore the sights & sounds of Nam Van Lake
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Another must-visit location is the Anim’Arte NAM VAN leisure area situated at Nam Van Lake. Boasting plenty of leisure activities, this is an ideal spot for anyone looking for a fun day out with the whole family.
What to expect:
- Paddle boats are available for rent offering a unique and fun-filled experience as you pedal across the lake.
- An indoor arts & crafts market selling various local handmade items.
- Capture IG-worthy street murals and other art installations at the art exhibition.
- During the Macao Light Festival 2019, Anim’Arte NAM VAN will be transformed into a glistering paradise featuring a Mak Mak parade. Here, you’ll be able to meet ‘Big Mak’ – a huge 12 meter-tall balloon ‘Mak Mak’ going on an illuminating journey of light in Macao.
Psst! It’s also a good spot to capture breathtaking views of the city 😀
![[TEST] “Macao Too Expensive Lah” If this is You, Here Are 6 Affordable Things You Can Do That’ll Surprise You! - WORLD OF BUZZ 5](https://worldofbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/test-macao-too-expensive-lah-if-this-is-you-here-are-6-affordable-things-you-can-do-thatll-surprise-you-world-of-buzz-6.jpg)
3. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St Joseph’s Seminary & Church
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Built in 1758 by the Jesuits (a religious order of the Catholic Church), St Joseph’s Seminary & Church is another addition to Macao’s world heritage sites boasting priceless historical relics and more. Noteworthily, the site is also a stop that’ll feature dazzling light installations during the Macao Light Festival 2019, so don’t miss out by visiting during the period!
What to expect:
- A peaceful getaway with few visitors — perfect for those who love to explore places that are off the beaten path.
- Aside from the Ruins of St Paul’s, this is the only place in Macao where you’ll be able to witness Baroque-style architecture, easily distinguished by its extravagant and highly ornate style.
- There’s also a museum beside the church which houses various artefacts, including a piece of bone from the arm of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of missionaries of the Catholic Church.
- Visitors will be able to enjoy light projections at night by talented teams from Portugal, Japan, and Macao during the Macao Light Festival 2019. Happening every 30 minutes, every projection lasts about 5-8 minutes.
4. Travel back in time at Taipa Village
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Catch a break from the city and visit Taipa Village! Here, you can find a perfect blend of old and new with historically rich buildings on one end while in-trend shoplots can be found just across the street.
What to expect:
- Treat yo’ self to some amazing noms on Rua do Cunha, the famous food street located right in the village!
- Rent a bike to get around the narrow but scenic alleyways that’ll give you major reminiscent vibes.
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5. Be mesmerised by majestic views at Guia Lighthouse
Guia Lighthouse can be found at the very top of Guia Hill – the highest point in Macao. But it’s not just a lighthouse. The complex also consists of a chapel and fort, and is surrounded by a beautiful park that lets you immerse yourself in nature’s greenery.
What to expect:
- A breathtaking view of the mesmerising lights and fresh greenery surrounding Macao’s peak.
- A complex where you won’t run out of things to do since there’s also a fort and chapel surrounding the lighthouse!
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6. Indulge in their amazing food
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For Malaysians, food is vital when it comes to travelling so you’d be glad to know that Macao has an abundance of that. Make sure to dig into some of these:
- Portuguese Egg Tart
- Nan Peng cafe sandwich
- Beef Offal
Street food there generally cost about RM10-20!
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Source: TommYooi
Aren’t these places making you itch to head over to Macao already?!
Well, of course they are! Especially Macao’s Light Festival which blew us out of the water as visitors were led through four different routes for a thematic experience like no other last year.
This year, there’ll be 4 themes which are:
- Light of Age – various spots will be lit up like a star-studded sky; you’ll get lost in the beauty of ‘Eight Planets’, and can hop onto a future spaceship to experience ‘space travel’
- Light of Memory – Swing through a cascade of water and experience the ‘AR Magic Sandbox’
- Light of Colours – Catch the mega installation ‘Glistening Lotus’, a piano performance + light show, and the huge 12-metre tall balloon ‘Big Mak’
- Light of Harmony – ‘Tide of Love’ that projects light effects resembling ocean tides at Taipa Houses, and ‘Carnival’ that showcases the cultural gems and food of Portugal
Here’s an illustration of how some of them will look like!
![[TEST] “Macao Too Expensive Lah” If this is You, Here Are 6 Affordable Things You Can Do That’ll Surprise You! - WORLD OF BUZZ](https://worldofbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/test-macao-too-expensive-lah-if-this-is-you-here-are-6-affordable-things-you-can-do-thatll-surprise-you-world-of-buzz.png)
![[TEST] “Macao Too Expensive Lah” If this is You, Here Are 6 Affordable Things You Can Do That’ll Surprise You! - WORLD OF BUZZ 3](https://worldofbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/test-macao-too-expensive-lah-if-this-is-you-here-are-6-affordable-things-you-can-do-thatll-surprise-you-world-of-buzz-4.png)
![[TEST] “Macao Too Expensive Lah” If this is You, Here Are 6 Affordable Things You Can Do That’ll Surprise You! - WORLD OF BUZZ 1](https://worldofbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/test-macao-too-expensive-lah-if-this-is-you-here-are-6-affordable-things-you-can-do-thatll-surprise-you-world-of-buzz-2.jpg)
![[TEST] “Macao Too Expensive Lah” If this is You, Here Are 6 Affordable Things You Can Do That’ll Surprise You! - WORLD OF BUZZ 2](https://worldofbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/test-macao-too-expensive-lah-if-this-is-you-here-are-6-affordable-things-you-can-do-thatll-surprise-you-world-of-buzz-3.jpg)
You can find out more about the spectacular light festival here. I don’t know about you but writing this article is now making me itch to head on over there already!
If you are indeed planning a vacay there or wanna learn more about this beautiful city, you can experience Macao your own style here.
Wait what wor? Don’t say we bojio!
