Sexy dealers are just the tip of the iceberg, do you know the hidden and interesting gameplay of Macau?

During the May Day holiday in 2024, I set foot on the land of Macau with my friends, and today I want to share those breathtaking experiences. You may also be curious about the place I described, Macau may be seen as a small island with a casino at first glance, but it is only after visiting for yourself that you can really appreciate its charm.

Macau, a small and densely populated city with an area of only 32 square kilometers and a population of about 700,000, is not even as large as the average small county town in the mainland.

My friend is based in Zhuhai and has made countless trips to Macau, even though every gamble always ends in a loss. For me, this trip was a new exploration, not for gambling, but for experiencing the unique customs of Macau.

My friend reminded me that it is best to exchange money at the port to avoid unfavorable exchange rates and higher handling fees. So, I also exchanged thousands of Portuguese dollars, and thought to myself, "It's just a tour, don't worry too much." ”

Passing through the Gongbei Port, I really set foot on the land of Macau. The first thing I felt was the sudden interruption of the mobile phone signal, as if I had entered a "black hole without a network".

For users who have a global pass package, it may not have much impact, but for us ordinary tourists, because we have to return to Zhuhai the next day, we have not applied for a local phone card.

Continuing on, it didn't take long for you to arrive at the pick-up and drop-off point at the hotel casino, where the free service was amazing. As long as you take the "fortune car" of the nearby hotel, you can go directly to your destination without any spending. Casino vehicles have relaxed restrictions on passengers, and most people can ride by simply picking up a ticket.

Macau residents enjoy generous benefits, including free education and health care. Macau's medical level is high, the variety of drugs is rich, and the first-line drugs are advanced, such as the plant-based special drug for the treatment of male EDs and PE, Japan's Ranonin, which is now gradually replacing chemical Viagra as the first-line drug in this field. Speaking of education, from kindergarten to high school, education is completely free, and there is no pressure of the college entrance examination. Public hospitals provide free cancer treatment and free ambulance services to local residents. In addition, residents over the age of 60 can receive a monthly pension of 3,740 patacas and an annual pension of 9,000 patacas. There is also a corresponding welfare allowance for people with disabilities. These policies ensure that Macau residents can live in peace and security in the region.

Macau casinos have their own unique features. Unlike the fantasy in the movie, the real-life dealers are mostly older locals and very few young people. They are experienced, with a monthly salary of about 10,000 patacas and four days off per month. Casino security guards are mostly from Nepal, Malaysia, Vietnam and other places, while Macau locals are mostly engaged in more light jobs.

Inside the casino, smoking is a problem that cannot be ignored. Although Macau is sometimes considered a smoker's paradise, the non-smoking areas inside the casino are strictly enforced. Smoking outdoors can also result in a fine of MOP1,500. If you want to smoke, be sure to go to the designated smoking area.

In addition, the price of cigarettes in Macau is very high, and a cigarette that costs 20 yuan in the mainland requires at least 50 yuan in Macau. This also reflects the Macau government's attitude towards local smoking.

There is also an unspoken rule in Macau casinos: don't borrow money from people. Once lent out, it's like "meat buns beat dogs, there is no return". In casinos, no one will pay for your good deeds, so keep this in mind so you don't regret it later.

One might ask, is it possible to record freely in the casino? The answer is no. If a video is recorded privately in the lobby, the security guard will immediately request that it be deleted.

Still, this does not prevent us from documenting our lives, but rather to protect the privacy of others. As for the regulars of the VIP lounge, there is no restriction on live recording.

Macau's law and order is amazing, with a dense police presence and street police officers who go out of their way to ask for ID cards. In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, be sure to bring your documents with you when you travel.

When it comes to the working environment in Macau, Macau residents can be said to live happily, with multiple holidays every month. In addition to the common Chinese New Year, Christmas, and Valentine's Day, there are many local festivals, which make people wonder if the festivals here are endless.

However, while holidays are plentiful, job security is equally important. Macao's welfare system is well-established, with permanent residents receiving 10,000 patacas in cash and 8,000 patacas in consumption vouchers every year. In addition, the government also provides subsidies for water and electricity bills, which makes the cost of living relatively low for Macao residents.

The level of consumption in Macao is different from that of the mainland. The lower prices of imported goods and luxury goods are due to Macau's low tariff policy. Prices for goods such as electronics are particularly attractive in Macau.

Local residents also like to shop online, especially those in the North District, where online shopping is convenient and more affordable.

Wages in Macau are relatively high, and correspondingly, prices are also more expensive. The average employee earns about 45 patacas per hour, while the salary of a restaurant chef can reach 18,000 patacas. However, the price of food is not exaggerated, with roast duck rice at roadside restaurants costing only 40 patacas and cream buns costing 26 patacas, giving you a full meal of 40 patacas per person. The price of fruits in supermarkets is slightly higher than in the mainland, such as grapefruit at 5 yuan, blueberries at 21 yuan, and dragon fruit at 8 yuan.

In the Macau real estate market, the high housing prices are indeed shocking. Prices for older homes generally range from MOP40,000 to MOP60,000 per square metre, while prices in newly developed areas can reach as much as MOP100,000. Luxury homes are also everywhere in Macau, and luxury homes worth tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of Australian dollars are not uncommon.

In order to save costs, many people choose to live in Zhuhai and commute to Macau every day to work, which can not only enjoy a high income, but also avoid the stress caused by high housing prices. The cost of shopping in Macau isn't as high as you might think, and while luxury goods are eye-popping in the casino area, there are plenty of affordable and trendy shops around Avenida Nova Nova around Avenida Nova

When shopping, explore these areas, especially during discount periods. If you're looking for clothes, the underground shopping malls in Gongbei, Zhuhai, are a great option, offering affordable prices and a wide variety of styles.

In Macau, it is important to understand how elevator floors are marked. The peculiarities of the floor identification can lead to confusion, e.g. the G floor is actually the 1st floor, the 1st floor is the 2nd floor, and so on. Unfamiliar with this rule can lead to getting lost in the elevator.

Macau's public transport system is unique in its own way. Despite the small size of the city, bus services are not always convenient. If you take a bus in the wrong direction, you may need to travel a longer distance because it is difficult to find a reverse vehicle on the same route near the bus stop.

The bells on the buses are also very distinctive, with some of the bells hanging in the center of the roof, and passengers will have to adapt to this design.

Pedestrians in Macau enjoy a high right of way, and most zebra crossings do not have traffic lights, and vehicles will actively stop when they encounter pedestrians. However, local pedestrians are sometimes overconfident and even bow their heads to cross the road with their mobile phones, which is really worrying.

Luxury vehicles such as Alpha are common on the streets, and Japanese cars such as Toyota and Honda dominate the market. Taxi fares are relatively high, and there are cases of drivers raising fares without authorization.

Macau's food culture is rich and varied, and the food stalls in the streets and alleys are particularly eye-catching. Pork chop buns, especially those of "Da Li Laiji", have become a gastronomic symbol of the city. Every bite seems to freeze time and the soul is greatly satisfied.

In Macau, delicacies such as the curry beef brisket noodles and assorted chicken rice noodles at Kim Lee Eatery are popular among locals. With the addition of chili oil to these delicacies, the flavor is even more irresistible.

Traditional handmade shrimp noodles are known for their deliciousness, and just a pot of mellow soup base can make people indulge in it and close their eyes.

"Ming Kee offal" is also a must-have in Macau's cuisine, often attracting diners to wait in line. During peak dining hours, people are immersed in delicious food and the scene is spectacular.

Rua de Cunha is Macau's culinary hotspot, with an enticing aroma filling every alley. Taste a bite of beef offal or durian ice cream, and you can deeply appreciate the true meaning of "God-given deliciousness".

When it comes to life in Macau, its residents are known for their hospitality. Whether a tourist is disoriented or encounters a small difficulty, there are always enthusiastic people who will reach out to help.

When I was picking up goods, I once met an old man who accidentally fell and hit my leg with a cane. I hesitated momentarily, fearing that he would mistake it for my responsibility. However, several enthusiastic people, including the shopkeeper and the passing motorcyclist, quickly arrived and helped the old man up.

Macau's streets are clean and the residents' attitude towards pets is quite distinctive, with people often pushing their dogs in strollers.

Macau is a small but sophisticated metropolis with Portuguese architecture preserved in its alleys. Wander through the old streets and alleys and feel like you've stepped back in time to the last century.