Exploring Macao: A K-Drama Fan’s Adventure

Macao or Macau known as the “Las Vegas of Asia” is an autonomous region in the southern part of China. It is a Portuguese territory until 1999 and became a prime location of mix cultural influences of the Western and Asia.

As Macao is very near in Hong Kong, I opted to travel in this city for a day. Macao was part of my original itinerary when I travelled last year with my family in Hong Kong. However, as I was accompanied with kids, a pregnant sister-in-law and my senior mother with, I opted to remove Macao in our plan to let the kids enjoy other attractions in Hong Kong.

This time around, as I was in solo travel in Hong Kong and Mongolia, I added a day to visit Macao on my own before I go back to Manila. But what really brought me in Macao? It was the finale location of my all-time favorite K-Drama, Princess Hours. 🥰 Coloane Village in Macao was the final setting of Princess Hours.

Princess Hours aired in the Philippines in 2006. I was in my 4th year college when I first watched it in ABS-CBN channel. That time, K-Drama started to boom in the Philippines. I remembered that when I was completing my thesis with my classmates, we were having a marathon watching it over via CD player. One of my classmates had a copy and let me borrowed it for 1-2 weeks. 😁

From then on, I was in loved with Princess Hours in particular. For me, no other romantic K-drama top it off! 🥰🥰🥰

How did I get to Macao?

As I was staying in Tung Chung while I was in Hong Kong, the fastest way to go to Macao was via HZMB port. Across the Citygate Mall, there was a bus going directly to HZMB port. I looked for Bus B6. Upon arrival of the bus, I just paid using my Octopus Card. The ride from Tung Chung to HZMB Port was about 15-20 minutes.

Upon arrival in the port, I just followed the signs going to the Immigration to cross Hong Kong boarder. While walking, I thought that I made a right decision last year to opt out Macao as my family might get tired easily with all the walks as the actual port was big like an airport! 😱

After passing the Immigration, there were ticket counters to buy for the bus ticket going to Macao. Octopus Card can be used here, too. The ticket machines were very easy to use to as English is one of the main language.

From the port, I took the bus for about 45 minutes. In that long dark tunnel, Macao was waving to hello to me! 😍😍😍 When the bus stopped, I followed the signs again to reach the Immigration of Macao. More walks again. The Immigration of Macao was just swift. 👍

After I exit the port, there were signages to take the free shuttle bus of the casino hotels such as The Londoner, The Parisian, The Venetian Macao and more. I also encountered some Filipinos offering a private tour. I politely declined their offer as I want to explore Macao on my own.

I took free shuttle bus that passes by The Londoner and The Parisian. In just about 10 minutes, I reached The Londoner and hopped off the bus.

Immigration in Macao

Filipino citizens holding a Philippine passport can enter Macao for free up to 30 days. Thus, most of the travelers who visited Hong Kong also travels for a day or two in Macao.

The immigration in Macao was very smooth. No questions will be asked, maybe unless they found something suspicious with your visit. As for me, I passed the Immigration in less than 2 minutes.

If you will travel to Macao, please make sure to bring your passport.

Local Language in Macao

As Macao was a territory under the Portuguese until 1999, Portuguese is widely used in all streets and shops signages. The HZMB Port has Portuguese signs too, so I think Spanish and Portuguese even Mexicans travelers might fall in love in Macao due to the similarity of their language.

For the locals that I encountered, they spoke Cantonese and Mandarin. As Macao is a developed area, English is commonly used too.

Plus point too as there were many Filipinos working in Macao so it will not be difficult to navigate in our local language.

Money in Macao

Though Hong Kong and Macao are relatively close, they have different currency. Macanese Pataca or MOP is widely used in Macao. Before I left the port, I withdrew some cash in a Bank of China ATM. It will automatically release Macanese Pataca.

Alipay, WeChat Pay and MPay are widely used too in Macao if you choose not to use your cash. However, since I do not have those e-wallet accounts, I still chose cash. The only thing that I forgot to do while in the port was to buy any small items to breakdown my cash. 🤦‍♀️

How did I get to Coloane Village?

How? I get lost first. 😅😭🤣

While in the free shuttle bus from the port, I used Google Maps on how to go Colane Village. It indicated that I need to take off the bus at The Parisian. Instead The Parisian, I hopped off at The Londoner. 🤦‍♀️

When I arrived in The Londoner, I asked some bell boys in the main entrance on how I can find Bus 25. From what I researched online, the bus going to Colane Village is Bus 25. A Filipino bell boy gave me an instruction to cross the bridge going to The Parisian. So, I did that. 😅

While walking, I was amazed how rich Macao is. The casino hotels we had in Manila became very small for me when I saw structures of The Londoner, The Parisian, Studio City and The Venetian Macao. It was like I was transported in a different location and I was not in Asia. It felt very grand and elegant! 🤩🤩🤩

But enough of the magnificent feels of the casino hotels 😂, I walked more and reached The Parisian. I immediately saw the bus stop and the signage that Bus 25 stopped there. In just few minutes, I rode the bus but the driver stopped me as I was paying him MOP 50, the bus fare was just MOP 6. 😅 The driver was like gave me a sign that he will not give a change if I pay MOP 50. I asked if I can use a credit card but he declined too. So, I dropped off the bus. 😅

I just laughed at myself and tried to find a convenience store. 😂 But where in the world I will find a convenience store in a place full of casino hotels? 😂😂😂 I walked more then entered The Parisian.

Inside The Parisian, I saw a café in the entrance and took a look in their menu. The only thing I can afford to buy was an apple juice. 🤣😭 But I did not have any choice, instead of not getting any change in the bus. I returned to the bus stop, paid for MOP 10 instead of MOP 6 since I did not had enough coins from the café. It was like “Finally! I will be in Coloane Village” moment in just 30 minutes. 🥰

While in the bus, I checked Google Maps on how many stops before I get to Coloane Village. As minutes passed by, it seems like I was going farther and farther from Coloane Village. This moment got me confused. 😰🤔 It was like more than 30 minutes bus ride and I am still not reaching Coloane Village. In my window, I got to see the Grand Lisboa Casino and reached Macau Peninsula. From there, I knew that I was lost! 😂😂😂

I decided to hopped off the bus somewhere near Avenue Artur De Tamagnini Barbosa. It was about past 1PM that time, to clear my mind and re-focus on my route, I ate lunch in a local restaurant first. 😝 After eating, I was determined this time to follow Google Maps. So I searched for the right bus stop going to Coloane Village. I got lost completely as the bus route to Coloane Village and Portas Do Cerco was like circle route! 😅😭🤣

As I walked while lost in Macao Peninsula, I got to see a glimpse of the real Macao. Not just the luxurious casino hotels but how Macanese spent their daily lives in the streets. What a beautiful re-route it was! 🥰🥰🥰

This time, almost 2 in the afternoon, I rode the correct bus going to Coloane Village. The bus fare was the same – MOP 6. I also had enough coins as change from the local restaurant where I had lunch. The bus stops in Google Maps was getting closer and closer to Coloane Village. 🥳

I passed by again The Parisian and The Londoner. I figured out then that, yes, I was riding the correct bus number. The Filipino bell boy gave me a correct instruction to ride Bus 25. However, I missed the part that I should be going to Coloane Village so I must ride Bus 25 in the side of The Londoner, not The Parisian. 🤦‍♀️

Finally, I reached the last bus stop, The Coloane Village. 😍😍😍😍

Itinerary in Coloane Village

Finally! I reached Coloane Village! The finale setting of my all-time favorite K-Drama, Princess Hours. I explored everything on foot while I was in Coloane Village.

Coloane Village is the southernmost part of Macao. It is more laid-back area along the coastal line. It is also the birthplace of the famous egg tart of Lord Stow’s Bakery. The bakery itself was included too in the finale episode of Princess Hours.

Chapel of St. Francis Xavier

After hopping off the bus, I immediately searched for the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier. This chapel was the setting of the wedding of Prince Gian and Princess Janel (the character names in Tagalog adaptation of the series). I was like jumping in joy to see this place! 😍😍😍😍 It was like I was transported in 2006 when I was watching the series while completing my thesis. 😍😍😍😍

Chapel of St. Francis Xavier is a striking yellow baroque-style church built in 1928 facing the seaside square. It is also called as Capela de São Francisco Xavier in Portuguese. The chapel is merely small yet aside that it was a setting of my favorite K-Drama series, visiting the chapel is also a must for me in every places I travelled to. I always like to add a Catholic Church in my itinerary to say a prayer and just be thankful that God made me step on that holy place. 🙏🙏🙏

After taking photos outside the chapel, I went inside to pray. The chapel itself is indeed perfect for an intimate wedding same as what shown in Princess Hours. I was very fortunate and blessed to stepped in Macao and just feel the presence of our good Lord. 🙏🙏🙏

Outside the chapel were some stores that sell snacks and beverages. As it was very hot in Macao and to have some rest too, I bought a bottle of Coca-Cola just to be refreshed and admired the beauty of the chapel. 🥤

A small monument was outside the chapel that commemorates the Battle of Coloane. As I checked, a great battle happened there in 1910 as Chinese children were kidnapped by bands of pirates. The Macao troops battled for about 10 days and the pirates surrendered. The monument was built as a sign of victory.

biblioteca macao

Near the chapel was a small library in Coloane Village. It was rare for me to see a library in this modern age. I went inside the library for some minutes. As the heat outside was exhausting, the air-conditioning inside the library was a great relief! 😌

The library was seen also in the finale episode of Princess Hours where Princess Janela saw Prince Gian again. Happy that I have seen it also in person. 🥰🥰🥰

Biblioteca Macao has a small storage of books from local to international studies. I was also like that they added some yearbooks from their community.

colorful streets of coloane

As I just walked around in Coloane Village, I really felt that it was the Macao that I was looking for. I do not like so much of the city vibe near the casino hotels. I was more into the village and the daily life of Macanese.

I love the vibrant streets of Coloane. Though there were some areas in construction, the entire village is a glimpse of how Portuguese managed this territory in China. Most of the street signs are still in Portuguese. All structures including small restaurants, café and houses are inspired with mix of Chinese and Portuguese heritage.

The entire village seemed very peaceful and quite. The kind of vibe that I am looking for a place that I travelled. 😌

lord stow’s bakery and café

Upon hopping off from the bus, you will smell the freshly baked breads from Lord Stow’s. I opted to eat the famous egg tart of Lord Stow’s as it was also part of the finale episode of Princess Hours, also after the walks I had, it was a perfect way to end my day in Coloane Village. 😋😋😋😋

Lord Stow’s Bakery was founded in 1989 by Andrew Stow. He was an English pharmacist that settled in Macao for years. He made the iconic Portuguese-style egg tart that was distinguished in years for its unique taste.

Each egg tart is worth MOP 11 and every bite for me was heaven! 🥰🥰🥰 The freshness and sweetness was perfect! It was like I was taken back in 1990’s where local bakery were a thing. It was delicious! 😋😋😋😋

Inside the bakery and aside from the egg tarts, there were other types of breads too. But I was there for the egg tart only! 😋😋😋😋 I was delighted to hear too other Filipinos who were not the customers of Lord Stow’s but they were the bakers and staff. How on earth this delicious tarts been handed over to the hands of these men? 😂 Nevertheless,the recipe of the egg tart was the best! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

Few minutes from the main bakery was Lord Stow’s Café. It was a cozy café. I did not entered inside as it was full of customers so I just had some few photos. Also the café was about to close. Two of their staffs were Filipinos too who were generous enough to wait for me to get a nice picture before they close the café.

Ramalho Eanes Garden

A public small park in the heart of Coloane Village. You will see this park immediately as this was across where the bus stops. Though I did not went inside, I had a privilege to seat across the park while facing the Lord Stow’s Bakery.

It was a perfect way to rest and eat my fresh egg tarts. 😋😋😋😋

Obrigado, Macao!

Coloane Village proved to me that it was not just a K-Drama series finale setting but an entire community that stood still amidst the mix of cultural heritages of Chinese and Portuguese.

Before I left Coloane Village, I got the chance to see a small souvenir shop where I met a Filipina. She was staying in Macao for so long that she even told me that Jackie Chan also had a shooting scene in Coloane Village too. She was also aware of Princess Hours in Coloane Village. 🥰🥰

Click this arrow to know my expenses in Macao. 💸 Travel date in Macao was last June 12,2026.

To return to Hong Kong, I rode Bus 25 again and stopped at The Parisian. In The Parisian, there are free shuttle bus going back to HZMB Port.

It was a short visit in Macao but definitely worth it to experience the busy city and laid-back village in Coloane. My heart was very full to experience a glimpse of Princess Hours and everything Coloane offered. 🥰🥰🥰

Obrigado, Macao! 💜💜💜