China Tourism News

China:Getting Sky High In Macau

By Caroline Adam on 27 September 2010 (From Travel Weekly)

Standing on the outer rim of Macau Tower, 233m above the ground and with no handrail to cling onto, I felt extremely brave. A harness attaching me to an overhead rail from front and back was the only thing keeping me safe. I was truly living on the edge. Then I spotted an 11-year-old boy about to embark on a bungy jump. Of course, it’s important not to compare yourself with others, I remembered. And besides, my stomach contained the rich, baked custard filling of three recently consumed Macanese egg tarts, purchased from the legendary Lord Stowe’s Bakery.

I had done the Skywalk X, one of several adventure options offered at the 338m-high tower by the company AJ Hackett, during my first visit to Macau around five years ago. However, this time I found myself willing to do more daring poses for the photographer who accompanied participants on the journey — perhaps this was evidence of greater personal maturity. He had me leaning back from the edge of the walkway with my hands in the air, sitting down on the platform with my legs dangling, and even running along and swinging madly in my harness. I wouldn’t have done that last time, but a lot can change in five years.

Macau itself has evolved a great deal during this time. While it’s more Chinese than Western tourists who visit the place for its casinos, it now rivals Las Vegas for its offering. The year 2007 saw additions such as the MGM Grand Macau in the city centre and the Venetian Macao on the Cotai Strip, an entertainment precinct on reclaimed land connecting Macau’s islands of Taipa and Coloane. In 2009 there was the addition of the integrated entertainment resort City of Dreams (James Packer’s joint venture with Lawrence Ho) and Macau Science Centre, while construction began on the Hong Kong to Zhuhai to Macau bridge.

A number of luxury hotels have also opened during this period, the latest being the new Mandarin Oriental, Macau. One Central, the destination’s second luxury shopping mall, also opened recently, linking this hotel with the MGM Grand Macau. The destination has also seen more big shows come to its shores, such as The House of Dancing Water, the world’s largest water show, which opens at the City of Dreams this month. And early next year, a pair of young pandas will be sent from China as gifts to celebrate Macau’s 10th anniversary as a Special Administrative Region.

Getting back to my walk around the outer rim of Macau Tower.. As the 11-year-old kid fearlessly did his bungy jump off the platform, I wondered whether in another five years that would be me. Probably not, I realised. Although, a lot can change in five years.