Macau is one of the most fascinating destinations in Asia, melding an alluring influence of Portuguese and Chinese cultures, atmospheric heritage sites and sleek modern resorts, plus an unbeatable gastronomic scene. Not only has the city kept a strong
lid on Covid-19, Macau has emerged from the pandemic with plenty to look forward too, from a new crop of iconic hotels and wellness-focused experiences to restored architecture turned photogenic hotspots.
Here are eight compelling reasons
why a visit to the fascinating city of Macau must be in order when borders reopen.
1. Get snapping at Insta-worthy hotspots
Taipa Village, one of Macau's hippest corners, is where visitors can find colonial buildings with colourful facades and murals featuring work by graffiti artists.
There are plenty of cool design spots and art galleries in Macau, and vibrant expressions of the city’s creative side can be spotted amid the Chinese-style
shophouses with green-shuttered doors on Rua De Felicidade or the 3D murals at Broadway Macau.
The streets of Taipa Village are another hotspot, where graphic street artists have given historic buildings a fresh coat of life, whereas
right beside the Ruins of St Paul’s lie the picturesque lanes of Travessa da Paixao. These photogenic places will be sure hits with your millennial or shutterbug clients seeking out their next picture-worthy spot.
2. Check into fabulous new hotels
Macau's newest resort, The Londoner, is a shrine to all things British. Photo Credit: Sands China
With new properties opening all the time, Macau has diverse options to cater to every budget and taste. Already, 2021 has welcomed the much-anticipated debut
of The Londoner Macao, Sands’ latest collaboration with David Beckham to introduce timeless British charm to the Cotai Strip – think Houses of Parliament façade, life-size Elizabeth Tower featuring a replica of Big Ben, plus the Queen's Guards and Victorian-era lamp posts.
Set to make further
waves are Grand Lisboa Palace (opening 2Q), which will be home to a trio of five-star properties — Lisboa Palace Hotel, Palazzo Versace Macau and Karl Lagerfeld Hotel — and the Raffles at Galaxy Macau (opening second half).
3. Food, glorious food
The IFTM Educational Restaurant is Macau's first dining establishment to be awarded a Michelin Green Star, whereas Nam Ping is best known for its hearty classics like egg and char siu sandwich. Photo Credit: IFTM Educational Restaurant (left); Instagram/HungerLady (right)
Macau gathers all of the world’s best cuisines in one compact city, with many of the integrated resorts boasting serious culinary credentials – in fact, 18 restaurants
in the city were crowned with Michelin stars in 2021, including the first Michelin Green Star at the IFTM Educational Restaurant for its commitment to sustainable gastronomy.
Plenty of flavourful treats can be found along the streets – we
suggest a trip to Nam Ping for its signature char siu and egg sandwich paired with an ice lemon tea or milk tea.
The best part about dining in Macau? Forget about the new normal of glass partitions separating tables or spaced-out seats.
Macau has contained Covid-19 so successfully that dining out in Macau is decidedly a normal affair.
4. Mindful about well-being
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Macau offers sumptuous treatments built on restorative principles. Photo Credit: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Spas in Macau are devoting greater attention to wellness experiences built around health principles. The Margy’s Monte Carlo platinum mask treatment is exclusive
to Morpheus Spa at the sleek Morpheus Hotel, while The Spa at Mandarin Oriental uses heated Chinese meditation balls to ease bodily aches. For more immersive treatments, recommend your clients to visit MGM Macau’s Tria Spa, the only place offering
sound therapy using vibrational oscillations and penetrating sound to relieve stress.
Wellness-focused passion is also brewing among Macau’s dining outlets: Cha Bei at Galaxy Macau spotlights health-forward culinary offerings — think green
tea mojito and blue chai mar(tea)ni — while Herbal Treasures at Studio City serves meals approved by the Chinese Medicine Association of Macau.
5. A packed events calendar
There’s always something for everyone in Macau, no matter the time of the year. A spring visit to the dynamic city will coincide with Macao Arts Festival, which brings together theatre, dance,
circus, music and multimedia to present a diversity of artistic programmes in April and May.
Come mid-year, the summer months revolve around Macao International Dragon Boat Races, Art Macao and Macao Lotus Flower Festival. Speeding into
November is the Macau Grand Prix, when hordes of Formula Three cars and drivers descend on the Guia Circuit and turns the city into one big racetrack.
Keep an eye on MGTO’s events website for the latest updates.
6. Hopping on nature’s trail
The scenic Wetland in Avenida da Praha, Taipa is one of Macau's most important ecological zones. Photo Credit: Instagram/taipa_village_macau (left); Instagram/little_pepper_on_a_cloud (right)
Did you know Macau has greenways, wetlands and ecological wonders tucked within its midst? For nature-loving clients, highly recommended spots are the Ecological
Trail Garden of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Seac Pai Wan Park and Avenida da Praia, Taiha.
Careful restoration of a once-abandoned stream in Seac Pai Wan Park has turned it into a rich wetland environment brimming with diverse plant,
animal and insect life. Nestled against a hillside in the park is the 3,000sqm Giant Panda Pavilion, home to the beloved black-and-white bears as well as red pandas too.
Not only does the Wetland in Avenida da Praia, Taipa connects five ecological
ponds, it is also an important habitat for waterfowl and migratory birds. Dotted along the ecological trail are bird-watching screens and lotus-viewing platforms, making it easy for visitors to appreciate nature’s splendour while strolling through
the scenic surroundings.
7. Novel experiences galore
Not for the faint-hearted: At 233m, the Macao Tower is the world's highest bungy jump.
Crafting itineraries for the playmakers and experience-seekers? Then plot these hotspots in: Guia Fort and Lighthouse grants
panoramic views of Macau from the summit of Guia Hill, Parisian Macao offers Francophiles the opportunity to dine at the only Eiffel Tower outside of Paris, and adrenaline seekers should take their leap of faith from the world’s highest bungy jump
at Macao Tower.
Fans of Michael Jackson will feel at home at MJ Mansion, located in the Sofitel Macau at Pointe 16 Hotel. The extravagant black-and-gold suite is outfitted with insignia and memorabilia that pay homage to the late king of
pop, and comes with a private karaoke room and an oversized bathroom with its own Jacuzzi.
8. Rev up for Grand Prix Museum’s return
Following a three-year restoration, the Grand Prix Museum will partially reopen in April 2021.
Launched in 1993 to commemorate the 40th
anniversary of the Macau Grand Prix, motorsports fans far and wide flock here for the large exhibits chronicling the event’s storied history, the cars and bikes belonging to the best of the best in their categories who soon became famous F1 drivers
and Superbike riders, records of champions including a dedicated section to the iconic Michael Schumacher, and more.
After a restoration lasting three years, the Grand Prix Museum will finally open its doors once more in April 2021.
The four-storey specialty museum has expanded nearly four times to its present 16,000-square-metre space, and now features even more novel facilities and equipment. For sports and racing car lovers, this is simply the place to be.
Need
more travel ideas and inspiration? Head over to Macao Ready Go!, a digital platform that consolidates the city’s tour itineraries and discounts, to gather more tips and recommendations for your clients. Remember, it won’t be too long before you can
experience Macau again!
This article is brought to you by Macao Government Tourism Office.