From the tranquillity of rural Coloane to the buzz of the city; Macao certainly does offer something for everyone. Here is a taste of Macao, but there is only one way to enjoy this Awesome destination, and that is to get there.

Fireworks display over Macao

The Historic Centre of Macao

I would recommend starting off in the Historic Centre of Macao. This area is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and the perfect place to get a feel for the old Macao. Comprising a collection of over twenty locations commemorating the unique mixture of the Chinese and Portuguese cultures in Macao .

The area offers a variety of attractions including: museums, historical buildings, wonderful food outlets, beautiful beaches, spas, shopping malls, dazzling shows, and activities ranging from golf to hiking to bungy jumping. There is something for everyone to enjoy on holiday in Macao.

Go for a stroll around old Taipa Village. This traditional area of narrow streets, temples, the Taipa Houses Museum, squares and ‘shophouses’ including “Food Street” where you will find some Awesome restaurants. There are two museums that you should include in your itinerary; the Maritime Museum and the Macao Museum of Art.

‘Food Street’ in Macao

Visit the breath-taking A-Ma Cultural Village which is a replica of a Qing dynasty palace. The palace is dedicated to the goddess A-Ma, after whom Macao was named. The nearby A-Ma Statue sits at the top of a 170m high peak with Awesome views over the Pearl River Delta.

The Macao Tower 

The 338m Macao Tower is one of the Macao’s most popular attractions. The tower is listed as one of the world’s tallest towers. From the top of the tower enjoy the Awesome views across the Pearl River Delta, enjoy a selection of unique adventurous and thrilling activities while on top of the world or relax in the revolving restaurant over a scrumptious meal while soaking up the amazing vistas.

Bungy Jump

The AJ Hackett Macao Tower Bungy Jump is 233m / 764ft high, making this jump currently a Guinness World Record for the Highest Commercial Bungy Jump in the world. Jumpers leap from a platform 233m above the ground and experience the ultimate free fall experience before slowing down 30 metres from the ground and rebounding back up.

You will apparently reach speeds of up to 200kmh during a five-second freefall and stretch a 50-metre bungy up to four times its unloaded length. This is not for me, if you do it, let me know how you got along.

Bungy Jump from the Macao Tower

Sky Jump

The Sky Jump are for those who would like to jump from the tower (not me) but are looking for a less scary way than Bungy. Still not for me, but the Sky Jump looks fun and drops you from the Tower’s outer rim to ground level in a 20-second tethered ‘flight’. The Sky Jump is done from the same platform as the Bungy at a chilling 233m/764ft.

Sky Walk

This is more my thing. Strolling around the Macao Tower at 233 meters/764 feet above ground level. There is no hand rail and it is frighteningly high. But your harnessed in and you will get the picture and view of a lifetime as you stroll, tentatively around the rim.

Sky Walk on the Macao Tower

Tower Climb

Finally, not an activity for the fainthearted; the Tower Climb, also known as the Mast Climb. When you have just got to get higher than anyone else; scale the top 100 metres of the tower and stand on the summit of the Macao Tower. You would have conquered Macao’s highest summit at 338 meters/1109 feet. Well done, I am afraid however, I will not be there to welcome you, but Well Done you!

Observation Lounge

The Macao Tower is not just all about adventurous activities. The tower’s ‘Observation Lounge’ is also located at 223m up in the sky. From the sanctuary of the spacious lounge, enjoy the spectacular 360° vistas from behind the three storey reinforced glass windows. From this vantage point take in the entire Macao Peninsula, Taipa, Coloane, and look over to China. Very relaxing.

Dining at Macao Tower

There are a host of food outlets, cafes and restaurants, but I would recommend 360° Café. Apart from the scrumptious cuisine, the views are dramatic to say the least.

Dinner at 360° Café is Awesome with the most stunning views. The restaurant rotates fully every 45 minutes. Enjoy the sunset and watch the skyline change as the lights of Macao come to life. This is truly a unique and romantic experience.

Enjoy a Scrumptious Buffet and Awesome Views from the Macao Tower’s 360° Café

Fisherman’s Wharf  

Fisherman’s Wharf is located at Macao’s outer harbour, within 5-minutes’ walk from the Macao Ferry Terminal and Heliport, this is the largest leisure and themed entertainment complex on the Macao Peninsula. Housed in buildings which imitate the historic and waterside cities from around the world such as: Cape Town, San Francisco and Amsterdam.

The European-themed architectures feature Babylon Casino, a convention and exhibition centre, the Legend Palace Hotel, the Harbourview Hotel, the Rocks Hotel, a marina, numerous dining experiences, shopping and entertainment facilities. This vibrant area of Macao creates an unique and multicultural experience. Great location to cruise around, try the Brasserie De Paristo for an Awesome Dinner Buffet.

Fisherman’s Wharf Macao

Entertainment

With its sparkling city skyline as the backdrop, Macao is alive with entertainment. There are an abundance of bars, clubs, casinos, live music and spectacular world-class shows, Macao is a city that knows how to entertain and it ‘Rocks’. Previous performers include the Rolling Stones and Madonna

There is no shortage of places to party, Macao has a vibrant club scene. The Cubic Club is renowned as one of the best hotspots in Asia. They regularly feature international DJ’s.

If you are a night owl you will be impressed with the nightlife in Macao. From the pubs and bars on the Avenida Sun Yat Sen, to the luxury hotels across the peninsula and Cotai area. For those of you looking for a more traditional, cultural experience, Macao hosts numerous annual festivals, live musicals, cabarets and theatrical performances.   

Dragon Boat Festival in Macao

Casinos

There are a lot of casinos where you can try your luck. Most are located in the Cotai area or in the southern part of the peninsula.

Shopping

Don’t pack too much, you will need space in your luggage on the way home if shopping is your thing. Macao offers you a real ‘smorgasbord’ of choice when it comes to shopping. From bustling traditional markets to plush designer malls; uncover everything from luxury branded merchandise to furniture, art and antiques. Spoil yourself with luxury silk clothing or stock up on those Chinese teas.

Spas

Macau is renowned for its Awesome Spa’s. Many of the luxury hotels are home to large pools and luxury spas offering extensive facilities. Relax in one of the many saunas, steam rooms, Jacuzzis, relaxation rooms and treatment rooms.

Being Active in Macao

If you need to work off all that fabulous food head off to Coloane. The scenic rolling hills, valleys, quiet villages and sandy beaches is where you will find a relaxing spot to enjoy a range of sporting activities, including; walking and hiking trails, cycling and golf.

The Macao Golf and Country Club is home to an 18-hole, par-71 championship course, which winds across the top of a headland affording golfers a spectacular view over the scenic Hác Sá Beach and the South China Sea.

The tranquil Seac Pai Van Park includes a stunning trail through waterfalls and gardens as well as playgrounds and pavilions, and the Macao Giant Panda Pavilion.

Relax in Coloane

Coloane is Macao’s southernmost land mass, where the lush, green countryside, hills, quiet villages and sandy beaches offer a relaxing alternative to busy northern Macao.

Just a short drive from the bustling city, is the laid-back atmosphere, green hills, small villages and tranquil coastline of Coloane, in the south of Macao, a highlight for many visitors.

Coloane Beach Macao

Macao Giant Panda Pavilion

Come and meet the Awesome wildlife on display at the Macao Giant Panda Pavilion. A pair of red pandas; Luo Luo and Tong Tong, arrived in November 2016. You will also be able to meet the Giant Pandas: Kai Kai and Xin Xin.

Why go to Macao

There’s nowhere else in the Far East like Macao. Its blend of Portuguese and Chinese culture and history is unique. Macao is a truly Awesome destination that will offer you a variety of activities, excellent Macanese cuisine, cultural and historical tours to the relaxing Coloane region.

When the sun goes down, Macao lights up with a dizzying number of bars and nightclubs, as well as glitzy casinos and shows including the spectacular House of Dancing Water, a breath-taking water-based performance.

The post What to ‘See and Do’ in Macao first appeared on Awesome Travel Holidays.

Macao is one of the most exciting destinations in the Far East and the perfect stopover if you are looking to explore Asia or travelling onwards to Australasia. Only 40 miles from Hong Kong, and with connections in just over an hour by high-speed ferry, accessing this destination couldn’t be easier.

Macau Giant Panda at ‘Parque de Seac Pai van Macau’

Where is Macao

Macao lies 40 miles south west of Hong Kong on the south eastern coast of mainland China in the Pearl River Delta. It borders China’s Guangdong province in the north and is surrounded by the South China Sea.

How Big is Macao

Macao’s total land area is around 30 square kilometres, around a quarter of the size of Jersey. It is comprised of a peninsula and two islands.

Getting to Macao

Most UK visitors arrive with flights via Hong Kong. The flight takes around 12 hours with Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic or British Airways offering a direct service into Hong Kong.

Flying Cathay Pacific is truly awesome, a really good product. The cabin crew are charming and so efficient; the food is delicious. The best thing is that on arrival in Hong Kong just clear customs and immigration and take the 70-minute high speed ferry ride direct from Hong Kong Airport to Macao.

Cathay Pacific have direct flights to Hong Kong

Macao also has its own airport, making travel between Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Mainland China, and other countries in the Far East so easy.

Visa requirements

British passport holders do not need a visa for entry to Macao for stays of up to six months. But you must make sure that you have six months validity on your passport from the departure date from Macao. For the most up-to-date travel information always check the Foreign travel advice – GOV.UK website.

Getting understood in Macao

Although Chinese (Cantonese) and Portuguese are the official languages of Macao. You will find that English is commonly spoken in commerce, trade, and the tourism industry.

Climate

Macao enjoys a subtropical climate with average annual temperature of just over 20°C and humidity generally high. Winter is from January to March and is dry and cooler with average temperatures around 15°C while spring averages 22°C. 

Summer is hot and humid with average temperatures around 28°C and occasional typhoons between May and September. October to December is a pleasant time to visit when it is sunny and comfortably warm at around 23°C average. 

History

Historically, Macao was inhabited by Cantonese farmers and fishermen. The Portuguese settlers arrived in the 1500s and changed Macao’s fortunes forever. Macao quickly became a significant trading post linking Europe with China and Japan.

Ruins of St Pauls, Macau

The establishment of Hong Kong in the mid-19th century, saw many foreign merchants leave Macao. However, Macao continued to develop and attracted a growing number of travellers, amongst them a significant number of writers and artists.

Modern Macao

Nowadays, Macao offers visitors a contemporary city established while retaining many of its historic sectors. The Macao skyline is dominated by modern skyscrapers, stunning hotels, and casinos. Contrasting this modern take is the Historic Centre which was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2005.

Macao offers you a combination of a vibrant city centre, a fascinating history and culture, excellent tourism products and an awesome countryside, all combining to offer visitors a unique Asian Holiday experience.

Photo: Macao Government Tourism Office

Why go to Macao

There’s nowhere else in the Far East like Macao. Its blend of Portuguese and Chinese heritage is unique, as illustrated by the local architecture and its cuisine. Macao offers a variety of both Macanese and Portuguese dishes, simply delicious.

Macao is often referred to as: ‘Asia’s Las Vegas’. The gambling industry is now reputed to be seven times bigger than that of Las Vegas. James Bond fans will remember Macau as the setting for ‘Skyfall’. Macao hosts a variety of excellent shows including ‘The House of Dancing Water’.

Plan a holiday to Macao and enjoy all that this awesome destination has to offer. I would recommend a minimum of 3 days if you have the time. Macao is also ideal for those looking to break a journey to Australasia or while exploring the Far East. Macao is the perfect destination for a twin-centre holiday with Hong Kong.  

Enjoying the sound of Macao? Read my next Blog post coming soon: ‘What to See and Do in Macao’.

Awesome@Travel

The post Macao: A Unique Asian Holiday Destination first appeared on Awesome Travel Holidays.