Adventures (part1)
Macau has an abundance of adventures from city strolls to quiet hikes, clifftop golf to gambling at casinos and racecourses, or the adrenaline rush of adventure sports.
In the Air
The construction of the MacauTower in 2002 provided
bungee king A.J. Hackett with an opportunity to take
Macau’s adventure sports scene sky high.
At base camp there are a range of activities, including a bungee trampoline, tower climbing wall and a zip line,
but the real action is at the top of the tower. |
 |
From here, there are three options, the least vertigo-inducing of which is the skywalk, a harnessed stroll around the outer rim 764 feet above ground. The skyjump from the same height offers a controlled descent taking 15 seconds, but you’ll still travel around 50 miles per hour! The mast climb is the most exhilarating of the three, as it takes a couple of hours to ascend and descend the final 328 feet to the tower’s summit. Though not recommended for the fainthearted or unfit, from 1,108 feet you really feel you’re on top of the world. Buses #23 and #32 run to the tower.
On the Green
Despite its small size, the territory boasts a fine golf course – the short but hazardous cliff-top par-71 Macau Golf and Country Club (www.macaugolfandcountryclub.com). The course hosts the Asian Tour’s Macau Open in May, which has attracted the likes of golf legends Fred Couples and Nick Faldo. The club is next to the Westin Hotel on Hac Sa beach and is open to hotel guests and members only. Good value overnight golf packages can be booked through the Westin Resort.
On Water
Coloane’s Cheoc Van and Hac Sa beaches are the best places for a swim in the sea and both have lifeguarded sections during the summer. Although the water appears a little on the brown side, this is due to Pearl River silt rather than pollution, and the water is pleasant for a dip from May to November. If the ocean doesn’t appeal there are outdoor pools at both beaches open during summer.
There are also watersports facilities at both beaches, including jet-skis, kayaks and windsurfs, although you must be a member of the nautical club to use Cheoc Van’s equipment. The Hac Sa reservoir also has a few pedal boats for rent and is a good area for a hike. Both beaches and the reservoir are served by buses #15, #21A, #25 and #26A.
Gambling
Casinos
In 1847 legalized gambling was introduced to Macau in a desperate attempt to bolster the economy, and it remains enduringly popular with the gambling-mad Chinese to this day. Every weekend the casinos are full of Chinese from Hong Kong, Taiwan and the mainland, oblivious to the quaint decaying European streets, churches and fishing villages around them, intent only on making their million. Until recently, all of Macau’s casinos were controlled by Dr. Stanley Ho and the most famous of his establishments was the garish Lisboa, which still packs in the punters today.
In 2002 gambling laws were liberalized, which was immediately followed by large-scale investment from a Las Vegas consortium and the opening of Macau’s slickest joint, Sands, which is a great spot for a drink to take in the glitz of it all, even if you don’t gamble a dime. Hot on its heels are a string of further casinos, foremost of which will be the Venetian, another Vegas development currently (2008) being built on reclaimed land between the peninsula and Taipa, an area known as Cotai. Once inside, the seriousness of the business at hand is immediately striking and casinos are alive with the electricity of fortunes coming and going. As long as you’re not betting your pension, then gambling here can be fun, and Macau certainly has plenty of places ready to help you stake your money.
You can bet on everything from baccarat to blackjack, roulette and even worldwide sports games, but you must be 18 years old to gamble in Macau.
Horseracing
Along with the 30 or so casinos in Macau, there is also a horseracing track at the Macau Jockey Club (www. macauhorse.com) on Taipa. The Jockey Club is one of the largest private employers in Macau, with over 1,400 staff and it has racing all year round. Races are usually held on Tuesday nights and one day during the weekend, although during the height of summer (June to August) meets take place on Wednesday and Saturday nights to avoid the heat. Free shuttle buses are provided both to and from the club on race days, with pick-ups from the Lisboa and the ferry terminal. Numerous buses, including #11, #15 and #22, also stop at the track. Most mid-range and upscale hotels can arrange racecourse packages.
Dog Racing
Macau offers Asia’s only greyhound track, the Canidrome, one of the largest and best equipped in the world. Over 300 dogs compete on race nights, which start at 7:45 pm four nights a week (always Thursdays and Sundays). The Canidrome is at Avenida do Almirante Lacerda in the north of the city and is serviced by buses #1A, #3 and #5.
Part 2 : Macau Walks – St. Malo, Churches, Coloane
See also:
Introduction : Macau main attractions - orientation
Macau Sightseeing - Architectural Treasures
Macau Sightseeing - Churches & Temples
Macau Sightseeing – Parks
Sightseeing – Taipa and Coloane
Macau museums
Macau history
Tourist information
Events and festivals in Macau
Macau Walks – St. Malo, Churches, Coloane
How to get to Macau
How to get around Macau
Entry requirements (visa)
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