Macau Books

Hong Kong & Macau (City Guide)

Andrew Stone

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

1* for accuracy, 3* for walking tours. 4* for background reading, THUMBS DOWN. 2 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I just went to Hong Kong and Macau for 5 days. The book (Feb 2008 edition, so brand new)had some good background reading and has a pull out map in the back which was nice, until we realized it was inaccurate.

Our basic itinerary was: Day 1: travel/explore kowloon (where we stayed). Day 2, Disneyland AM, Hong Kong peak tram PM. Day 3: Explore hong kong island (AM and early afternoon), Ferry to Macau (afternoon-PM). Day 4: walking tour of Macau, Day 5, Ferry to hong kong airport and fly home. As you can see, we didn't have a lot of time and needed to just hit the highlights.

In general, I thought the walking tours we did were pretty good, though in the future, I'd photocopy those sections. It was hard to walk and look at the book. We only made it halfway through the kowloon walk but it was nice.
After going to disneyland (that section is inaccurate in the book as well), we took the MTR to central and attempted to go to the Peak. There were a few signs on street corners but we followed the map. Seeing that the base of the tram was still halfway up the hill, we opted to take a taxi instead of following signs. We hopped in one, asked for the peak tram, pointed on the map, and the driver, not speaking english or recognizing the location, wouldn't take us. This happened again with the next driver. So we started walking up the hill. But we found a taxi along the way- and to our surprise he took us down the hill and about 6 blocks! OH YES, the #1 tourist attraction in HK is NOT in the right place on the lonely planet map. We also discovered that there's a tourist bus that will take you there from the star ferry. Would have been nice to know that. There seems to be room for improvement in this department- they tell you how to use all the forms of public transport, but not a lot on how to get from one to the other (the ferry terminal is not near the subway, for example)

Day 3- after exploring the city, we wanted to try one of the "highly recommended" restaurants in the book. Arriving at the location after a fair walk, it wasn't there. The security guard at the building informed us that it HAD been there, but there was another restaurant now. Our time wasted, we ended up eating in a mall at about 3pm.

I did enjoy the walking tour of Macau and for that reason I'm not giving it 1*. But even it had basic flaws. For example, it tells you to stop at the fort "before climbing the hill". Actually, as with most forts, it is at the TOP of the hill.

In terms of accomodations reviews in Macau, don't bother, the construction is evolving so fast, no book could keep up.

To sum up, we didn't have a lot of time and we lost a fair amount of it (and general satisfaction) because of this book. NOT RECOMMENDED. We kept wishing we had the Groovy Map to Hong Kong (love the Bangkok one- should have ordered one!).

Groov HONG KONG Map 'N' Guide

Editorial Review:

Discover Hong Kong & Macau

Have your fortune told, Chinese Taoist style

Discover the site of a maze-like walled village, where prostitution and gambling (and illegal dentists) once thrived

Savor the finest Portuguese egg-custard tarts in Macau

Spot your hotel room from the twinkling heights of the Peak

In This Guide:

Two local Cantonese authors, one food critic, endless bowls of fortifying noodles

Fully revamped Macau coverage

Interviews with a political activist, property developer, seminal club owner, and one chef extraordinaire

Content updated daily - visit lonelyplanet.com for up-to-the-minute reviews, updates and traveler insights

Fodor's Hong Kong, 20th Edition: With Macau and the South China Cities (Fodor's Gold Guides)

Fodor's

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Is there any place more contemporary and timeless than Hong Kong? The country's 8 million residents are sailing rapidly into the new millennium in dragon boats. Modern commercial temples rise not far from ancient Buddhist ones. Brand-new boutiques offer retail therapy, while age-old markets tender more time-tested treatments. Fodor’s Hong Kong 20th Edition takes readers straight to the best of the city—both the new and the old—with more wit and wisdom than ever.

• Brand-new illustrated features include topics such as "All the Tea in China: Culture in a Cup," "Philosophies, Beliefs, and Lucky Charms," "Traditional Prescription: Pins, Needles, and Pressure," "Tailor-made to Suit You," and more

• A fresh look at shopping and golf. Valuable insights from local gurus focus on what to shop for---and where and how---and what to avoid. In-depth course reviews make it easy to select the best places to play.

• New neighborhood coverage: Three-to-six page profiles describe places of interest, set the contemporary scene, and give historical highlights, bits of trivia, and at-a-glance geography

• Full-color pullout map

• 8-page color insert

• Includes side trips to Macau and other cities in the Pearl River Delta—an up-and-coming destination

Time Out Hong Kong: Macau and Guangzhou (Time Out Guides)

Time Out

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Good book, nice layout. 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good book, easy to follow and a ton of info. I'd buy it again.

Pros: has a good, easy to locate layout. Info seemed accurate if you assume that historical sights never seem to disappear but I rarely use guidebooks for restaurant/food/bar recommendations specifically but typically go by local websites and travel forums. Maps were also very good, I thought. Less "biased" stances such as politically related info that other guidebooks tend to incorporate within their books by omitting one thing vs. another due to some biased historical stance.

Cons: Should include some Shenzhen info. This is the city directly opposite Hong Kong and while it's not really that special considering HK is a great "world city" and many cities in China have caught up to the luster of Shenzhen, it's just really just another Chinese city now. However for someone who has never been to the Chinese mainland, it's worth the day or two unless you need a full $130 visa (which Americans do). It does have Guanghzou which is a 70mile or so hike up the Pearl River but they're vastly different places.

Could include more bus-related info as well as some of the best parts of HK still are not connected via the MTR. Plus, the top of a double-decker bus is a great way to "see" HK, if you ask me. Could also talk about the two checkpoints at Lok Ma Chau/Huang Gang if in China and if you're stuck at the bus terminal vs. the bridge, should invest the $$ in buying a bus back to your destination as the MTR does not stop there! This is a common mistake made by Shenzhen taxi drivers I had no idea about this setup at all. I just happened to stay near there in Shenzhen.

Editorial Review:

This lively guide, written by expert local writers, shows visitors an extraordinary diversity of attractions, urban and rural. The best hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, cafés, and bars (with a guide to all types of Chinese cuisine); the best stores for everything from designer fashions to electronics (with pointers for haggling); fun places to walk, hike, bird and dolphin watch; festivals and events — all are detailed in Time Out Hong Kong, along with detours to Macau and Guangzhou. This edition includes new sidebars, rechecked information, updated maps, and a special culture chapter for context.

Insight City Guide Hong Kong: Macau & Guangzhou (Insight Guides)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

This 258-page guidebook to Hong Kong presents the city's highlights in a comprehensive but portable format. The book has the following key features: The Best of Hong Kong - overview of vital information for visitors, including money- and time-saving tips and the most family-oriented attractions; Places - district-by-district guide, with top attractions highlighted and cross-referenced with detailed local maps; Restaurant guide - a pull-out, pocket-size "Z" map, with review listings of 60+ recommended restaurants and bars; Photo Features - magazine-style full-color features on some of the city's most famous sights, including its green and white ferries in Victoria Harbour to pigs and chickens in Central Market; Essay Features - incisive essays on history, people and culture, from traditional feng shui to its booming commercial powerhouse; Travel Tips - practical listings, covering Accommodation, Entertainment, Transport and more; and a Street Atlas - color maps of downtown Hong Kong, with grid-referenced index.

Lonely Planet Hong Kong & Macau

Steve Fallon

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Good overall guidebook... 4 out of 5 stars.
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.

I found this book to be extremely helpful in covering all the bases of transport, taxes, tipping, typical business hours, history, background, and a good overview of what's where, and how to get there. Often times, we'd have questions about things like poverty level, health coverage, average income, quality of water -- and found that the guide pretty much answered all of those, and more.

The maps aren't super, and because of the size of the book, it made it difficult to carry. Besides, if you're asking a local for directions, you'd want a bilingual map, as the English names of cities/stations drive them crazy. (ie, Mandarin romanizations in a Cantonese city) I do give it credit for accurately pointing out the numerous obscure markets in Tsim Sha Tsui, as well as the various shops in Hong Kong City. The walking guides were surprisingly useful.

The reason why I give it 4 stars is because HK is all about food and shopping, and the book came up seriously short on the food portion. (no pun intended) Despite it being only 3 months since publication (12th edition, Jan 2006) literally *every* restaurant this book recommended (of which we attempted to find) turned out to be non-existent, had changed ownership and had turned into some other shop. I attribute some of this to bad luck, but I seriously doubt the restaurants didn't *all* go out of business in the last 3 months, but rather that the information on the guide was a little outdated.

The section on food is one part I really relied upon to book to help me out, and was pretty disappointed when it didn't come through for me, as the alternatives to an English guidebook aren't great. The alternatives are to ask the hotel clerk (who will recommend the hotel restaurant), or a random stranger (who will recommend his friend/family's restaurant), or read a weekly magazine about which eateries are good (which require Chinese reading skills).

Despite my frugal 4 stars, this guide is considerably better than most, and is worth the small change to purchase, especially when compared to the amount of money you spent to book your vacation.

Editorial Review:

You'll fall in love with Hong Kong. And why not? Glittering skyscrapers and a world-famous shopping scene. Frenetic wet markets and the best dim sum ever. Spectacular hikes through jungle-covered islands. And don't forget the devil-may-care casino-hop through Macau. This indispensable guidebook is the key to all your Cantonese adventures.

FIND YOUR WAY up winding side streets, navigate through every district - detailed and accurate maps make exploring easy.
UNLEASH the gastronome within - insider reviews of the city's outstanding restaurant scene, from HK$10 noodles to decadent Chinese banquets.
ESCAPE TO MACAU - extensive coverage takes you to historic cathedrals, temples, and the infamous casinos.
SLEEP LIKE AN ANGEL in this city of bustle - the best accommodation options for every budget.
EXPERIENCE a taste of China - shop to your heart's content in Shenzhen, then soak your tired feet in one of Zhuhai's hot springs.

Strolling in Macau. A Visitor's Guide to Macau, Taipa, and Coloane.

Steven K. Bailey. Photographs by Jill C. Witt.

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

From its cuisine to its architecture, the southern Chinese port of Macau is truly a city of contrasts. The ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral, the iconic symbol of this former Portuguese colony, stand beside a temple devoted to Na Tcha, the monkey god. Residents practice traditional Chinese tai chi routines on European-style plazas paved in Portuguese tile. Local dishes combine the culinary traditions of Portugal and China, with additional ingredients and recipes from India, Africa, and Brazil. Ultramodern high-rises and 400-year-old colonial buildings line the city streets. Shop names and traffic signs are posted in a bilingual fusion of Cantonese and Portuguese. Unexpected contrasts like these abound in Macau, where Eastern and Western traditions have blended for nearly five centuries.

This guidebook is designed to help visitors navigate Macau's maze of narrow streets as well as understand the striking contrasts that make this city such a fascinating place to visit. With its compact size, winding back streets, and pedestrian-only lanes and plazas, Macau is best explored on foot. Though geared to those who wish to experience Macau at a walking pace, this guidebook will serve any visitor interested in the history and culture of one of Asia's most unique cities.

Macau Insight Flexi Map (Insight Flexi Maps)

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Editorial Review:

This "Insight Flexi Map" is the essential resource for your trip. Informative and easy to use, it contains digitally generated, detailed and clear cartography, with a comprehensive index. It also features up to 30 illustrated recommendations of the top sights that are cross-referenced to the map, to help you set your own priorities for the trip and plan your route accordingly. A fully laminated finish means it is waterproof, hard-wearing and durable, scribble friendly and tear resistant. It is also easy to fold, even in windy conditions, so it can go wherever you go!

Travelers' Tales Hong Kong

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

This Is Not Your Father's Travel Guide 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

I read this book two weeks before our first (but hopefully not last) trip to Hong Kong. Other travel books gave me information on where to stay, where to eat, where to buy. But this book told me stories that made me eager to experience the SAR.

We first arrived in Hong Kong early one morning, tired, but determined to do something on our first day. We set out for the Star Ferry, something you must take whenever you have the chance. Taking the MTR subway to Central, we came above ground to find ourselves in the midst of what initially appeared to be some sort of social unrest. There was an official ceremony going on in the park, blocked off by police. There were thousands of women massed right outside. Both sides seemed ill at ease with the other.

Jet-lagged, we were rather apprehensive as we tried to find our way out to the ferry. Until I realized that it was Sunday, and that the voices sang a different song than the Cantonese we had heard so far. We were in the midst of Fillipina housemaids who gather on their one day off to visit with their countrywomen. I explained to my wife what was happening, including a description of what life was like for these women and how they came to be there. Elaine wanted to know how I knew this.

"I read about it in the Traveler's Tales book".

This book told stories of Hong Kong that steered us to places we might not have learned from the traditional guides and gave us a flavor for places that we knew not to go to.

I've read the Japanese guide. I don't know if it will prove to be as good as the Hong Kong book in the field, but it has proven to me that this is an entertaining series to the armchair tourist as well as intrepid travelers.

Editorial Review:

"Travelers'Tales Hong Kong is not a guidebook in the conventional sense. It doesn't list restaurants, hotels or shops. It is, rather, the passing on, from one traveler to another, whit is to be seen and learned, and at this it succeeds admirably."--Profiles magazine.

Lonely Planet Hong Kong MacAu and Canton (Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit)

Robert Storey

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Editorial Review:

This guide includes information on getting to and around Hong Kong, Macau and Canton.

LUXE Hong Kong & Macau (LUXE City Guides)

LUXE City Guides

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Editorial Review:

Want the very best of Hong Kong in one Glam littl pocket/purse-sized companion?
Want a cheongsam handmade to order in fabulous rich brocade or vintage 60's silk?
Want a picnic on an iconic 'Batwing' junk?
Want to jet off for adventure treks and deserted beaches in a fast pursuit craft?
Want to find HK's top private bars and clubs?
Want unique and bespoke jewellery direct from the designer's studios?
Want beautiful shoes handmade to order?
Want to find the finest shops, restaurants, spas, bars and services and avoid the rest?

Now you can with LUXE Hond Kong & Macau.