Shopping in Macau

Macau, as a free port favored with a low-tax policy and a considerably stable currency, is a popular shopping region with tourists and Hong Kong residents, who come here to snap up cheap wine and tobacco.

The main shopping areas are around Yin Huang-zi Road, Avenida do Infante D'Henrique and Avenida Almeida Ribeiro. The central Square on Yin Huang-zi Road boasts some high class stores including Georgio Armani, Escada and Yves Saint-Laurent. The Japanese owned, New Yaohan Department Store opposite the port, is the best of its kind in Macau. Ying Di Street and Da Tang Qian Di, are good for exported clothes at reasonable prices and there is also a good clothes market (the St. Dominic market), just off Avenida Almeida Ribeiro in the southeast of the city.

The Red Market, located on the corner of Avenida Almirante Lacerda and Avenida Horta e Costa, bustles with business as vendors sell food of every conceivable kind. If you continue along Avenida Horta e Costa you will find several up-market shops specializing in, clothing and shoes, electronic items and cameras. But the best bargains are found in the streets surrounding the avenue which are full of tiny shops selling many kinds of goods at bargain prices.

Most of the antique and souvenir shops are in the Dui Jie area and along the Rua dos Estalagens. Gold jewelry is popular here and can be bought on the Rua dos Mercadores. With gold, silver, pearls and precious stones all being duty-free, you can get exceptional bargains if you shop around. There are many reputable jewelry stores on Avenida Almeida Ribeiro, and on Avenida Horta e Costa. However you should still ask for a warranty card for jewelry and gold items and be sure to keep your receipts.

Pawn shops abound here, selling everything from shirts to fantastic gems and jewels. Most goods are pawned to pay off debts in the casinos! Beware, as the pawnshops here (while fascinating to browse) tend to grossly overcharge customers who want to buy.

Finally, alcohol and tobacco are good buys, especially in comparison with Hong Kong prices. There are numerous tobacco shops around town selling all kinds of imported cigarettes and cigars. The selection of wine (mainly Portuguese) and liquor is also good. Again, the stretch of shops on Avenida Almeida Ribeiro is a good place to start looking.