Long Weekend: Discover the glitzy nightlife and historic Portuguese-Chinese heritage of Macao, China
THE WEEKEND:
Macao may be known for its glitzy nightlife, but this unique destination only 40 miles from Hong Kong on the south coast of China offers a whole lot more than the roll of the dice. A huge foodie scene, a dazzling array of luxury hotels and a vibrant selection of cultural hotspots make Macao an ideal extra stop to add to any business trip to the area.
WHAT’S THE FOOD LIKE?
Macao’s unique Portuguese-Chinese heritage has left an indelible mark on the food scene here. Along with local Cantonese flavours and the best Portuguese food outside Portugal, Macanese cuisine is a delicious fusion of tastes and influences from around the globe. Michelin-starred restaurants stand alongside traditional street food vendors, with an incredible variety of dishes available around every corner. You won’t go hungry.
Bungee jumping from Macao Tower
WHAT’S THERE TO DO?
Over the last few years Macao has become an increasingly popular destination for touring artists as the glittering Cotai area has played host to such luminaries as The Rolling Stones, Katy Perry and Madonna. Check out the incredible House of Dancing Water show, which proudly holds the title of the world’s largest water-based stage production and features spectacular high dive acrobatics above a 3.7 million gallon pool. With rooftop bars overlooking the sparkling skyline and a lively club scene with world-renowned DJs pumping out pulsing beats, Macao really comes to life when the sun goes down.
AND DURING THE DAY?
Why not take a trip up to 338m Macao Tower, where those with nerves of steel can take a skywalk around the outside of the tower, or even bungee jump from the top. For something a little more relaxed, visit the Giant Panda Pavilion – where panda twins were born in June – followed by a ride on the Golden Reel, the world’s highest figure-8 Ferris wheel, for breathtaking views of the city.
The bridge to Macao
AND TO RECHARGE?
Head south into the picturesque countryside of hills and valleys, relaxing beaches and rural villages for a relaxing contrast to the bustle of the city. Or shop ‘til you drop in one of the local flea markets or glitzy malls packed with international designer brands.
ANYTHING ELSE?
The rich multicultural heritage of this region is best reflected in the World Heritage listed Historic Centre, a site of over 20 buildings of both Portuguese and Chinese origin. Here you’ll find Taoist temples alongside baroque churches, fortresses and even a lighthouse. The Macao Grand Prix takes place every November on the Guia street circuit, while the Macao International Fireworks Contest is another spectacular event that is worth building your travel itinerary around, as teams from around the world light up the sky with their displays.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
Latest openings to join the high quality hotel scene are the Parisian Macao hotel, whose half-sized Eiffel Tower offers a nightly light display. Or Wynn Palace, a 1,700 room hotel with its own seven acre lake and cable car system.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
Macao’s international airport hosts flights from around the region but most UK visitors fly into Hong Kong and hop on the fast ferry, which takes about an hour. With their new 4x weekly service from London Gatwick to Hong Kong on their brand new A350 aircraft, Cathay Pacific offer 43 flights per week between the UK and Hong Kong.
Visit cathaypacific.co.uk
For more information visit macaotourism.gov.mo or call 0845 498 9983
This article is brought to you by Tourism Macao