Clothing - Discount Stores
Macau has more than a few hundred functioning garment factories, and
most of these produce clothing for markets in Europe, the US and
Australia. Overruns and seconds are to be found in shops and market
stalls, at prices a tiny fraction of what they are in the world's
leading boutiques. The range of clothing is enormous, however the most
readily available are jeans, children's wear and sports clothes.
You can also find dressy jackets with Mandarin collars and frog
fastenings in a wide variety of interesting and attractive fabrics at
the markets around São Domingos near Senado Square, and in the Three
Lamps district (Rotunda de Carlos da Maia) near the Red Market.
Furniture and Antiques - Authentic or Reproductions
There are many excellent shops selling authentic antiques and fine
reproductions all over Macau, and in Coloane village, but the most
convenient area is bounded by Rua de São Paulo, Rua das Estalagens, and
Rua Stº António, all in the neighbourhood of St Paul's at the foot of
Monte Fort.
Flea Markets and Night Market
The most popular flea market in Macau is near St Paul's but a little
off the beaten tourist path. Follow Rua de São Paulo to Rua das
Estalagens and turn down the hill to the next narrow street. Go past
the shops selling antiques, the tailor shops, and other small shops
until the road reaches a fork.
Another flea market operates around Hong Kung Temple, located at the
heart of the old Chinese Bazaar, between Rua Cinco de Outubro and Rua
Guimarães.
To get the feel of a real hometown market, go to the square beside the
Cinema Alegria (Joy Cinema) on Estrada do Repouso on a weekend evening,
where a night market is organised by the local neighbourhood
association.
The Best Neighborhoods to Shop:around the Senado Square and the Red Market
Senado Square is the location of one of the newest municipal markets.
On Avenida Almeida Ribeiro and the narrow streets leading off the main
square you'll find a wealth of inexpensively priced goods of all kinds.
Clothing is the biggest item here, and you'll find vendors specializing
in locally manufactured baby clothes, undergarments, shoes, and
accessories, as well as jeans, sweaters, T-shirts and sportswear in all
sizes and styles.
Nearby, the Sun Star City, on Rua de Pedro Nolasco, and Sportstar, a
two-stories arcade of specialty shops on Rua da Palha, offer a wide
variety of clothing, watches, and stylish accessories like sunglasses,
handbags, shoes and novelty items.
On the other side of Avenida Almeida Ribeiro is a shopping area for the
more adventurous. Follow Rua do Dr. Soares uphill behind the Civic
& Municipal Affairs Bureau building until you reach Rua da
Felicidade. Turn right and continue down past the restored 19th century
shophouses in Felicidade, once a thriving red-light district. This is a
fascinating place to browse among shops selling jewellery, curios,
dried beef and even live snakes.
The Red Market is located on the corner of Avenida Almirante Lacerda
and Avenida Horta e Costa.The market bustles with business as vendors
sell food of every conceevable kind.
Avenida Horta e Costa is a long shopping street that begins at the Red
Market and extends as far as the Flora Gardens beneath Guia Hill. The
avenue has several up-market shops specializing in, among other things,
clothing and shoes, electronic items and cameras. But the best bargains
are found in the streets surrounding the avenue. The historic "Three
Lamps" (Rotunda Carlos da Maia) and surrounding narrow streets are full
of tiny shops selling many kinds of goods at bargain prices.
Portuguese Wines - Excellence at Reasonable Prices
The delights of Portuguese wine could fill a book, but for a brief
introduction, visit the Wine Museum in the Tourism Activities Center
before setting out to buy them. All supermarkets, and even the smaller
grocery stores in Macau display many different kinds of Portuguese wine
at prices ranging from about MOP$30 for an ordinary table wine to
several hundred for a fine aged Port.
Art - Galleries and Shops
Macau has many resident artists and their work can often be admired at
local galleries. Temporary exhibitions open to the public are held at
the Civic & Municipal Affairs Bureau, Casa Garden, the ground floor
of the Ritz Building, on Senado Square, and the Tourism Activities
Centre.
Works shown at these exhibitions are usually for sale. Traditional
Chinese paintings can be found at Chinese arts and crafts stores, and
the one on Avenida Almeida Ribeiro near the Senado Square has a wide
selection of these to choose from. For older works of art, browse
through the selections offered at several shops on Rua de Stº António.
Jewelry
Gold is available in many grades in Macau, and is imported dutyfree, so
can be an exceptional bargain. Silver, pearls, precious and and
semi-precious stones are also dutyfree and available in abundance. In
fact, the selection is limited only by the amount you want to pay.
There are many reputable jewellery shops near the Lisboa Hotel, on
Avenida Almeida Ribeiro, and on Avenida Horta e Costa. It is always a
good idea to shop around and compare prices before making a high-priced
purchase. Ask for a warranty card for jewellery and gold items and be
sure to keep your receipts.
Traditional Chinese Delicacies
There are very few neighbourhoods in Macau where you won't find
numerous shops selling dried meat and seafood, herbs and other
traditional Chinese foodstuffs and medicines.
Dried sharks' fin, mushrooms, shrimp, abalone and scallops can be found
in the most popular shopping areas, like Avenida Almeida Ribeiro and
Avenida Horta e Costa. The streets around Rua da Felicidade have more
than their share of shops selling dried meat, and the best ones are
easy to find; just follow the delicious aroma.
Cakes and Cookies
Taipa Island is famous for its traditional cookies, and in the old
village there are shops that have been baking and selling the same
fragrant sweet morsels for generations. In Macau you may find pastry
shops at the Av. Infante D. Henrique, Av. D. João IV , Travessa de S.
Domingos, and along Rua de S. Paulo, near St. Paul's. Many other
delectable confections found in local shops make good presents with the
"taste of Macau" for visitors to take home with them. A famous
Portuguese specialty in Macau is pastéis de nata, little egg tarts,
which are sold at good cafes and bakeries in the city and Coloane. They
are best when eaten warm from the oven.
Islands' Weekly Fair
The Islands' Weekly Fair takes place every Sunday in a picturesque area
of Taipa Island, between Bombeiros Square and Camões Square in the
heart of the old village.
There are many booths selling traditional crafts and souvenirs, food
and beverages, brand items and trifles, clothes, toys and other
products. From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., while the Fair takes place, there are
cultural and recreational events at Maia de Magalhães Square.
There are convenient car parks in the surrounding area, and for those
using public transportation, the following buses are available: 11, 22,
28A, 30, 33 and 34, from Macau, and 15 from Coloane.
Duty Free and High-end-of-the-market Goods
The New Yaohan department store on Avenida da Amizade has up-market
boutiques selling high quality clothing and accessories with
internationally recognized labels.
Another set of luxury goods shops can be found near Fisherman's Wharf
and along Avenida Almeida Ribeiro. Hotel arcades, such as the ones in
the Lisboa, the Sintra, the Mandarin Oriental and the Wynn Macau are
also good places to shop for high-end-of-the-market goods. In addition
to brand name fashions, you'll find duty-free perfumes and cosmetics,
high quality children's wear, and bargain-priced electronics.
There are duty free shops at the ferry terminal, Macau International Airport, and on the mainland side of the Barrier Gate.
Museum Shops for Only-in-Macau Items
If you are looking for souvenirs that could only come from Macau, the
museum shops are a good place to look. The Grand Prix Museum has some
wonderful books, videotapes and other items connected to Macau's most
important sporting event, and the world's foremost Formula 3
competition.
Other Museum shops, like the one at the Macau Museum, have a variety of
souvenirs, many of them charmingly handcrafted and unique to Macau. The
Maritime Museum offers fascinating books, and imaginative gifts like
model kits for the unique "lorchas" that plied the waters around Macau
in earlier times, and other beautifully designed souvenirs with a
nautical touch.
Cultural Club
Cultural Club is housed in an authentic old pawnshop (an valuable
historic & cultural heritage) on San Ma Lo in the centre of Macau.
It consists of five parts, the first and second parts are the "Pastry
Gallery"and "Arts Plaza" with the souvenirs, postcards, fine arts,
clothes and accessories. The third part namely "Jin Yong Library" where
the famous Jin Yong specialized novels are housed. Inside the library,
the fourth part namely "Water-Teahouse"provides a comfortable resting
place for visitors and tourists to take a rest. The fifth part is the
"Cultural Exhibition hall". Painting, fine arts, Chinese folk arts
exhibitions are held regularly.
Postcards, Books, Other Printed Matter
For some really interesting and good quality books and prints of
authentic Macau artists, do not miss the little shop just inside the
entrance to the Civic & Municipal Affairs Bureau.
The two culture magazines locally published - "Revista de Cultura"
(Culture Magazine) and "Macau"; with editions in Chinese, Portuguese
and English - are of very good quality both for its photos and text.
Cameras and Electronic Goods
Many reputable shops and all department stores offer the latest in
electronic equipment and cameras. There are two camera shops that are
especially popular among visitors; one is on Avenida Almeida Ribeiro
near the Senado Square and the other on Avenida Horta e Costa near
"Three Lamps". Prices are comparatively low for the wide selection of
high quality items in these shops. Larger shops are recommended for
reliability in case of after-sale service, and it is advisable to ask
for a warranty card along with your receipt. Beware of brand names you
do not recognize on items in the smaller shops; they may be impossible
to repair if problems occur later on.
Handicrafts - Traditional Arts at Bargain prices
There are several shops that carry handcrafted goods from China and
other parts of Asia in Macau, and perhaps the best of these is located
on Avenida Almeida Ribeiro near the Senado Square.
A tiny shop selling hand crafted traditional tea utensils, clothing,
and musical instruments can be found on Rua de Hong Chau in Taipa
Island – it is worth a visit if only for its picturesque architecture
and stone-lined rustic fountain. To discover more about the traditional
Chinese tea culture, Macau Tea Culture House inside Lou Lim Ieoc is
recommanded.
Porcelains and Fine Ceramics
There are many wholesalers and retail outlets carrying a huge variety
of tableware, vases, and novelty items at very low prices. Some
factories will even custom make a vase or set of tableware with your
family crest or in a pattern copied from your draperies. For more
unusual pieces at good prices, try the many shops around Rua de São
Paulo. Many interesting antique and one-of-a-kind pieces can also be
found in shops on Avenida Almeida Ribeiro, right in the heart of the
commercial district.