The Best Things to Do on a Trip to Macau, China

When you imagine a world of bright lights and endless entertainment, what comes to mind? If you said New York City or Las Vegas, you wouldn’t be alone. The Big Apple has Times Square, a neon-lit spectacle in the center of Manhattan. It’s a hotspot for tourists—even if it’s a bit small. 

In Las Vegas, most people travel to experience the Strip. This stretch of storied road connects the city’s most famous establishments, from the Bellagio to the Venetian. As the US’s unrivaled center of entertainment, Las Vegas makes it onto the bucket list of travelers around the world. 

But Las Vegas isn’t actually the global capital of entertainment—at least, not where casinos are concerned.

That honorary title belongs to Macau, a special administrative zone that’s part of China. Macau is located near Hong Kong in the South China Sea, stretching over a few low-lying islands. And its casinos, malls, restaurants, and spas put Las Vegas to shame—both in terms of average number of tourists and in revenue. 

Though it flies under the radar for many Westerners, Macau should absolutely be on your bucket list. If you make it there, here’s what you should do.

Enjoy Its Larger-than-Life Casinos

Macau is a haven for casinos; however,  most avid casino players these days prefer online platforms like PokerStars Casino, which are accessible via mobile device or laptop. Virtual platforms offer unparalleled convenience and, more often than not, major deals. 

That being said, if you head to Macau, then at least visit one of its casinos. They’re some of the most renowned and largest in the world. The Venetian Macau, for example, puts its Vegas counterpart to shame in terms of scale. The same is true for the Grand Lisboa Macau and the MGM Macau.

Get a Spa Treatment at a World-Class Spa

If you’ve traveled to Vegas before, then you know that casinos are only one part of the magic. The same is true in Macau. Because so many visitors come to enjoy table and card games, it only makes sense for hotels to offer top-tier spa treatments, too. 

If you’re heading to Macau, spoil yourself at a location like So SPA, MASSE, or SeeU beauty. Because Macau is located in Southeast Asia, you’ll find unique treatments that are common throughout South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. But you can also find other treatments, from banya to Swedish deep-tissue massage.

 Shop at the World’s Most Luxurious Stores

Where luxury goes, extravagant shopping follows. If you want to get the most out of your time in Macau, then visit its largest malls. Most are home to luxury brands galore, including Shoppes at the Four Seasons, The Parisian Macao, and The Grand Canal Shoppes. You can also find more casual boutiques at Shoppes Cotai Central.

Eat Your Heart Out

So far, we’ve covered the best things to do on a limitless budget: hit the casinos, get a spa treatment, and shop at luxury stores. But when it comes to food, you can eat well at just about any price point. Macau is home to almost two dozen Michelin-star restaurants—some of which are actually street vendors who are experts at what they produce.

Be sure to check the list before you visit. Though you can almost always get in line to eat at a street vendor, the city's finer dining establishments usually have long waiting lists to be seated. 

Explore the Melting Pot of Cultures

Part of the reason Macau has so many delicious Michelin-star restaurants is thanks to its history as a cultural melting pot. For centuries, Chinese merchants have used Macau as a trading post. During the colonial era, the Portuguese also assumed control of the area. 

You’ll notice tons of architecture from the colonial Portuguese period, along with a few landmarks like the ruins of a cathedral. Make sure to take a few tours of the islands that compose Macau—there are dozens of unique landmarks that highlight the area’s complex and intercultural history.