Things to know before visiting Macau

Macau, otherwise known as the “Las Vegas of China”, is located about an hour west of Hong Kong. It is semi-bordered by China on its North and West sides. Each location provides its own flare and favorite things to do and see with the Macau Peninsula being the most popular with tourists.

Whether you have a few hours or several days, Macau is an eclectic destination that will not disappoint you. Set for your journey with some tips and life-hacks that will make your visit to Macau 100% trouble-free.

What language is spoken?

The two official languages of Macau are Cantonese and Portuguese. However, Cantonese is the most common language spoken by locals. English is also widely understood, mostly in the casino resorts and main tourist areas. However, if you are using taxis it might be better to look up the Chinese address of a place on Google and show the taxi driver that.

Currency

Macau has its own currency called pataca (MOP), which is closely tied to Hong Kong dollar. But you can also pay with HKD everywhere, even in buses. So, don’t panic if you did not visit the exchange office in advance. But bear in mind that while paying with Hong Kong dollars you can still get your change in patacas (MOP), so if you don’t want to keep them as a souvenir, remember to exchange your MOP in Macau. Being one of the world’s least convertible currencies, patacas could be hard to shed, back in your home country.

When is the best time of year to visit?

The best time to visit is between October and December when the weather and temperature is more comfortable. The summer months often bring stifling temperatures and most people tend to stay indoors in the cool air conditioning as outside you just sweat buckets. Macau has a moderate to hot climate and humidity is generally high. Typhoons are possible from May to September.

What to bring

• Passport – Macau is its own territory and requires each visitor to be processed through their immigration.
• Comfortable shoes – the historical area is large and some uneven stone steps and walkways.
• Camera and extra batteries – the plan is to be there all day.
• Sunscreen and a hat – lots of shady places and indoor venues but in between locations the sun is hot.
• Cash – ATMs are available but make sure to let your bank know you will be visiting Macau.
• Insect Repellent – I did not have a huge issue with mosquito bites, but I did walk away with a few.

Driving and walking

Just like its neighbour Hong Kong, Macau is a drive-on-the-left region. If you are traveling from mainland China by car, admire how cleverly the switch between right-side China and left-side Macau is arranged on the Lotus bridge. As a pedestrian, stay vigilant while crossing the road, remember to look right first, then left and not the other way around.

Is Macau a safe place to visit?

For the most part, Macau is very safe and visitors experience very low levels of crime. However, visitors should take the usual precautions that they would take in any city, for example, take extra care of passports, credit cards and money in crowded areas and late at night.

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5 markets in Shanghai you must visit once in your life

In this flourishing and prosperous city Shanghai, you’ll not only find modernly furnished shopping centers featuring designer labels, but markets devoted to traditional Chinese culture. Here’s the five best markets in Shanghai where you can experience Shanghainese culture.

1. Tian Zi Fang

In the Old French Concession quarter of Shanghai lies the arts and crafts enclave Tian Zi Fang. There are three distinguishing features about Tian Zi Fang. Firstly, the 50-year-old archaic bungalows reflect the primitive simplicity of the early republican era in China. Secondly, the buildings have been revitalized to become a creative market where you can find hilarious kungfu esoterica, nostalgic art pieces or coins from the Qing Dynasty. Thirdly, Tian Zi Fang is a place where coffeehouses converge within its stone-ringed architecture, and these serve roast coffee and Western cuisine in an open-air terrace. Strolling around, you’re transported back to the beginning of civilization on these lanes, filled with an Old Shanghai ambiance.

Lane 210, Taikang Road, Hangpu, Shanghai, China

2. Dong Tai Lu Antique Market

There are two world-renowned antique markets in China, one is the Liulichang, located in Beijing, and the other is the Dong Tai Road Antique Market. With over 200 stores arranged in close rows in this 500-meter-long walking zone, you’ll get dazzled by the endless array of antiques and grotesque stuff. Classic antiques, like sculptures, porcelain, jadeware, the ancient stationeries ‘scholar’s four jewels’, and embroideries, are just tip of the iceberg. Don’t let your jaws dropped if you find shops bragging about their crusted three-inch golden lotus shoes and baskets, used scholars during the Ming Dynasty to carry their books. Without any state-owned brands nor unified pricing, you can bargain with the dealer for a more reasonable price.

168 Dongmen Road, Shanghai, China

3. Duolun Road

Dated back to the 1930s, Duolun Road is the rallying point for the Chinese literary giants Lu Xun, Mao Dun, and Guo Mo, where they discussed political issues. Back in modern Shanghai, Duolun Road plays a paramount role in contemporary literary development, with the remains of historical relics including the Fitch Memorial Church and the Celebrity Tea House. Duolun Road consists of small houses along a path displaying mahogany sculptures, scripts, and calligraphy. On this short and wriggly lane, you’ll find various galleries selling exotic stones, chopsticks from all over the world as well as ancient clocks from Nanjing. What’s so special about Duolun Road is that there’s a chessboard café offering Chinese Weiqi chess – play for RMB$10 an hour with supplies of coffee and tea.

Duo Lun Lu Wen Hua Ming Ren Jie, SiChuan BeiLu, Hongkou Qu, Shanghai Shi, China

4. Tianshan Tea City

Curious about the Chinese tea industry and its history? You should not miss the Tianshan Tea City, pioneered by the masters of the Chinese tea industry Su Jinping and Lu Ling. Converging tea leaves from all provinces of China, herbal tea, tea artworks, and the aesthetic performance of tea making, tea connoisseurs can find everything related to tea culture. Drop by any of the 300 tea stores in this giant three-storey complex, and you can have a rapport with knowledgeable tea dealers and learn essential skills, including tea tasting, tea making, and even how to sort good tea leaves. You can find famous premium dragon well tea and red-robe tea here too.

518-520 Zhongshan W Rd, Changning, Shanghai, China

5. Chang Li Lu Food Market

To experience the authentic street food culture in Shanghai, make a visit to Chang Li Lu Food Market to enjoy local tidbits in Shanghai. At night, Chang Li Lu is crammed with pedestrians making their way through the crowd. Adjoining stalls are packed together, with stools and tables spreading on the street, and folks get carried away by serving dishes. While multifarious yet bizarre choices of dishesare rampant here, from the meat of cats and dogs to Hong-Kong-style fermented bean curd, the delectable yakitori cooked over charcoal with smoky aromas emanating throughout the street are the most popular option among diners.

Chang Li Lu, Pudong Xinqu, Shanghai Shi, China

See more: Don’t forget to try signature dishes from Shanghai

Source: theculturetrip

8 useful ways to earn money while traveling

Have you ever asked yourself, “How will I possibly make money while traveling?” or “How will I survive on the road?” or maybe “How can I cannot start traveling when I don’t have much money?”.

Chances are that these very thoughts have indeed crossed your mind and there is also a chance that you have not found any answers. As a result, you have still yet to take that first step and start traveling and as time passes by, you start to wonder if you will ever achieve your travel goals.

Teaching English abroad

For native speakers with a bachelor degree, teaching English is one of the easiest ways to work abroad. It offers you the ability to spend a significant amount of time in a country, while making good money. There are job opportunities almost everywhere, many companies will pay your flights and apartment. South Korea and Japan are well paid countries for English teachers.

Teach English Online

Teaching English online is a consistent, very accessible way for backpackers and nomads to earn an online income. You don’t need any special coding, tech, writing, or photography skills to become a digital nomad these days. Thanks to the power of the internet, the world of teaching English online has opened new doors to native English speakers wanting to work from—well— anywhere with a solid internet connection.

Work in Hostels and Hotels

Many hostels, hotels and resorts are looking for staff, either for short time (during high season) or long-term. Jobs vary from reception staff, house-keeping, driver for airport pick-ups, etc. Some of these jobs are paid, others are on a voluntary basis. Work in exchange for a free bed and food is quite common. Not ideal if you want to earn money, but at least a way to save money for travel.

Online Freelance Work

Whether you have a background or interest in web design, programming, illustration, writing, marketing, consulting, legal work, engineering or able to do any type of admin work, you should definitely look at websites. These are platforms that connect freelancers with people and companies who need work done. Even if your background is in something else, have a look anyway as there is freelance work to be found in dozens of different fields.

Travel Blogging

It is not easy to earn a big income with a travel blog. The amount of time/effort required to do so is much more than most people imagine. But if you are looking for some extra cash to help fund part of your travels, while keeping the world informed of your adventures, starting a travel blog might be your answer.

Scuba Instructor

Being a certified Scuba Diver Instructor takes a bit of investment, but can be one of the most fun ways to work and travel the world. You need a handful of courses and certifications, as well as having logged in a amount of hours underwater yourself.

If you are already certified, get excited. If you are not, you can do it at home, or take advantage of many programs that exist in countries like Thailand and The Philippines.

Yoga Teacher

You have been doing yoga for some time and it became an important part of your life? Why not teach yoga and inspire others to do so? Yoga is more popular than ever and studios are all around the world. You could teach at a yoga retreat (so many of them in Bali!) or just apply for a yoga teacher job at a resort.

Translator

If you can write and speak more than one language fluently, you could look for translating jobs. Spanish, Chinese, French and Japanese are very popular right now. Even if you speak another language than the ones I just listed, check out the links below, you might find a translation job for the languages you speak.

Read more: Best travel guide books on budget travel you should get

Source Internet