Macau is a great place to visit and live in, but our neighbour Zhuhai has a lot to see and do as well! However, crossing the border can be complex for those not used to it. When you get the hang of it, it’s quite easy though. Here are some things you should know before heading straight to the other side. Zhuhai is just a few steps away from Macau and, unlike 20 years ago, there are now several border posts one can cross to get into the Mainland or Macau.
Gongbei Port or Portas do Cerco (關閘)
(See featured image above)
On Macau side, this port is located between Areia Preta and Ilha Verde districts and can be crossed either by foot or driving. Cars must have both Chinese and Macau license plates to be eligible to drive through. This port connects the peninsula to Zhuhai. On the other side, one can take several means of transportation to other locations in China including Guangdong and Shenzhen. There is a huge shopping mall selling all kinds of things from bags and luggage, to shoes, clothing, food, accessories and technology-related products.
Erected in 1870, the European style Border Gate witnessed the development of Macau. The modernized Border Gate Square with fountains in its centre is surrounded by greenery but it wasn’t always like that. The blue tiles at the side walls together with the poem of the Portuguese poet, Camões depicts the history of Macau. There is a yellow construction similar to a huge door on the right-hand side if one is facing the border’s entrance and a long time ago, for some centuries, this was the main access into Zhuhai.
Always bring your passport and, if you own one, your resident ID card from China or Macau. Crossing both immigration points is much easier and quicker. If you haven’t done a China visa in your country or Macau, upon passing through immigration on the Macau side, don’t forget to head to the Chinese authorities’ office, located on a second floor (right-hand side) of the immigration in China.
They’ll arrange for your visa, which costs RMB $160 and it’s only valid for Zhuhai and neighbouring areas. If you intend to travel through China, you will have to ask for your visa 1–2 weeks prior to your travel period and provide a series of information including profession, purpose of your trip and sometimes, even proof that you have a return flight and hotel in China booked. For more information, check MGTO’s page regarding Gongbei Port.
Opening hours: 6:00am–1:00am
Gongbei Port Praça das Portas do Cerco, Posto Fronteiriço das Portas do Cerco, Macau, en.macaotourism.gov.mo
Parque Industrial Transfronteiriço Macau-Zhuhai (跨境工業區工業大樓)
Founded in December 2003, it was mainly used to facilitate industrial and commercial trading. It has high-end logistics and consumer goods trade, exhibitions, and bonded businesses. Soon, it is to become a logistics distribution centre serving Macau.
The Macau-Zhuhai Industrial Cross-border Park Post is the only Macau peninsula immigration border opened 24 hours for holders of the industrial park border’s card. For Macau residents and Chinese workers in the region, it’s open from 0:00am–7:00am. This is the best way to travel to and from Macau and Zhuhai if you are looking for a flexible trip without having to look at the clock. You can enjoy dinner and maybe go bar hopping and clubbing without having to worry about returning to the other side. It feels like a ghost area at night, so be sure to save its location on your phone or write it on paper to show your taxi driver.
You can only cross this border if you are a Chinese resident working in Macau or a Macau resident however. Since there is no China Visa office at this border, Gongbei Port is the way to go, . Remember to take your passport and Macau ID with you.
Opening hours: Macau residents and Chinese immigrant workers – 0:00am–7:00am
Industrial park card holders – 24 hours
Parque Industrial Transfronteiriço Macau-Zhuhai Rua do Parque Industrial
Lotus Bridge Cotai Frontier Post (路氹邊檢大樓 – 橫琴口岸)
This is Cotai’s only cross-border post and it’s open 24/7, leading to Henqin Island (Ilha da Montanha, in Portuguese). It’s cross-able by bus, which also operates 24 hours. For tourists and Macau residents, this is the lesser used border into Mainland China, since it’s the furthest from the city centre and the hardest to get to.
On the other side, there are shopping malls, residences, hotel, clubs or restaurants and if you’d like to visit, screenshot their locations but be sure to take your passport and Macau ID with you.
Opening hours: 24 hours
Lotus Bridge Cotai Frontier Post Estrada do Dique Oeste, Posto da Ponte de Flor de Lótus
Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HKZM – 港珠澳大橋)
The newly inaugurated bridge connects three major cities—Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau. Most people go from Macau to Hong Kong and from Hong Kong to Macau or Zhuhai, but it is also possible to cross from Macau to Zhuhai and vice-versa on foot. For more information, check this website. To know more about how our experience crossing the bridge went, click here. Keep in mind to have your passport and respective China or Macau ID with you.
Opening hours: 8:00am–10:00pm (Macau–Zhuhai crossing)
Posto Fronteiriço da Ponte Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Macau Hong Kong Bridge Port, Macau
