Taipa (氹仔 - Tam Chai in Cantonese, Tanzai in Mandarin) was one of the islands in China's Special Administrative Region of Macau.
As an island, Taipa was situated between Macau Peninsular and Coloane island but is now joined with Coloane by the Cotai Strip which was reclaimed from the sea. It is still separated from Macau Peninsular by the Pearl River, although three bridge provide road links between Taipa and the mainland.
Taipa used to be rural but massive development towards the end of the 20th century has seen the island transformed into an alternative city to the Peninsular. It boast many hotels, casinos, shopping malls and is home to the Macau Jockey Club racecourse.
The Macau International Airport is built on reclaimed land off the north-eastern end of Taipa.
Buses connect Macau Peninsula with Taipa, mostly via the Macau-Taipa or Old Bridge. Buses between the Peninsula and Taipa cost MOP$3.30 while those which continue on to Coloane will cost you MOP$4 or MOP$5 even if you get off at Taipa or if you catch it from Taipa to go to Coloane.
Some useful buses include:
Between the Peninsula and Taipa:
11 - A-Ma Temple to Macau Jockey Club via Av de Almeida Ribeiro and Hotel Lisboa
22 - Iao Hon to Macau Jockey Club via Rua do Campo, Hotel Lisboa
28A - Ferry Terminal to Macau Jockey Club via ZAPE, Hotel Lisboa, New Century, Taipa Village, Macau Stadium, Four-faced Buddha
30 - Portas do Cerco to Macau Jockey Club and Hotel New Century via Iao Hon, Taipa City
33 - Fai Chi Kei to Macau Jockey Club via Canindrome, Hotel Lisboa, Taipa Village, Macau Stadium, Four-faced Buddha
AP1 - Portas do Cerco (Border Gate) to Macau International Airport via Ferry Terminal.
Between the Peninsula and Coloane via Taipa:
21 - Ponte a Horta to Coloane Village via A-Ma Temple, Macau Tower, Taipa City, Macau International Airport
21A - A-Ma Temple to Coloane via Av de Almeida Ribeiro, Hotel Lisboa, Taipa City
25 - Portas do Cerco to Coloane (Hac Sa) via Rua do Campo, Hotel Lisboa, Taipa City
26 - Fai Chi Kei to Coloane via Ponte a Horta, A-Ma Temple, Sai Van Bridge, Macau Jockey Club, Macau International Airport
26A - Fai Chi Kei to Coloane via Red Market, Av de Almeida Ribeiro, Hotel Lisboa, Taipa City, Macau Stadium, Olympic Aquatic Centre
Taipa is connected with Macau Peninsula by three bridges - the Ponte Governador Nobre de Carvalho or Macau-Taipa Bridge (also known as the Old bridge as it was the first of the three bridges), Ponte de Amizade (or Friendship Bridge) and the Ponte de Sai Van (Sai Van Bridge). The Macau-Taipa Bridge is the most direct link between Macau city center on the peninsula and the newly developed Taipa City, while the Friendship Bridge runs from near the Macau Ferry Terminal and the Macau International Airport. The Sai Van Bridge links the Barra area on the peninsula with the western tip of Taipa.
Between Taipa and Coloane, the only link used to be the Taipa-Coloane Isthmus Causeway. As the narrow straits between Taipa and Coloane has been reclaimed and developed into the Cotai area, the Isthmus Causeway (as it is still called) not only functions as the main highway between Taipa and Coloane but has also become the main drag for the Cotai Strip. There are now several other roads parallel to the Isthmus Causeway linking Taipa with Coloane.
There are no domestic ferry services from Taipa to either Macau Peninsula or Coloane. On 1 Dec 2007, direct ferry services to/from Hong Kong from the Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal on Estrada de Pac On on the northeastern tip of Taipa near the Macau International Airport were started but were 'suspended indefinitely' on 11 December 2007. However, they have now resumed. See Macau's Get In section for details.
Museum of Taipa and Coloane History, Rua Correia da Silva, Taipa - Contains detailed and informative displays of the two islands. Entry is M$5 and is open 10am to 6pm every day except Monday.
Taipa Houses Museum - Made up of a row of colonial houses from the early 20th century. They have been restored and preserved inside showing the style of living of the original owners.
The two Taipa Hills are suitable for hiking and cycling. The larger hill, on the east side of the island right next to the airport, has several unpaved hiking trails that can also be used for mountain-biking. The smaller hill, on the west side of the island, has a low-traffic paved road circling it which is suitable for cycling and running. For those without their own bicycles, there are (very mediocre, at best) bicycles for rent in Rua Governador Tamagnini Barbosa in Taipa village, just behind the bus stop.
Dumbo Restaurant, Taipa Village, Idha da Taipa, Macau (Entrance of the Taipa Village), ☎ (853)827-888. 12pm-11pm. Dumbo Restaurant serves Macau style Portuguese food that is famous in Macau. From curry crab, fried eel, steak grilled with onion, pork cutlet cooked in tomato sauce.less the US$10. edit
Irish Bar, Av. De Kwong Tung no. 116C-D G/F, Taipa, ☎ +85328820708. 18:00-03:00. This is the place to head for a true Irish tavern experience – the bar is dark, service friendly, booths cozy, and it has one of Macau’s best ranges of draught beer.edit
The Monkey Bar Lounge and Nightclub, 1st Floor, Grand Waldo Casino, ☎ +853 2888 6833. 18:00-05:00. Laid back late-night joint with no dress code. Live music ranging from rock to pop and hiphop. Free champagne for ladies on Thursdays.edit
Mini Bar & Lounge, Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen 119 FL R/C Flat F, Ed. Treasure Garden, Taipa, Macau SAR, ☎ +853 2883 0638. 17:00-04:00. edit
After Five, Rua de Nam Keng No.576 G/F, Taipa, Macau SAR, ☎ +853 6221 4777. 17:00-02:00. edit
Hive, Shop H, Treasure Garden, 135 Avenida. Dr. Sun Yat Sen, Taipa, Macau SAR, ☎ +853 2883 1711. edit
Golden Crown China Hotel, Taipa (opposite the Macau International Airport). Tel: +853-28851166. Fax: +853-28851199. Email: htlchina@macau.ctm.net.
Grandview Hotel[4] 142, Estrada Governador Albano de Oliveira, Taipa. Tel: +853-28837788. Fax: +853-28837736. Email: info@grandview-hotel.com. - The Grandview hotel is located in the heart of Taipa Island, seconds away from the Macau Jockey Club, Four-faced Buddha, and the Macau Stadium, and only five minutes from the Macau International Airport. Best rates on official website start at HK$380.
Hotel Taipa Square, Rua de Chaves, Taipa. Tel: +853-28839933. Fax: +853-28839922. Email: info@taipasquare.com.mo.
5-star
New Century Hotel, [5] 889, Av. Padre Tomas Pereira, Taipa. Tel: +853-28831111. Fax: +853-28832222. Email: nch@macau.ctm.net - While technically a 5 start hotel, it is a little run-down. You can get a room from $USD55 a night (May 2007 price) at Asiarooms.com
