Macau: Sin City of the Orient

Macau, located just a hop away from Hong Kong, is rapidly developing a reputation as the “Sin City of the Orient.” It’s easy to see why: luxury hotels, elegant restaurants, plush nightclubs and, of course, the incredible gambling venues. Macau is more than just a central gaming hub or a Las Vegas clone; it’s an experience unto itself.

Fine Dining and High Culinary Culture in Macau

Though gambling may be a significant part of the city’s allure, people don’t go just for the gambling. Like Las Vegas, Macau has some of the most impressive restaurants in its area, with a tremendous variety of cuisines and price points. From elegant, ritzy high cuisine restaurants to comfortable street food, Macau has it all. And not only is the food itself wonderful, but it’s also steeped in rich culture — and many of the restaurants are famous worldwide. The Tasting Room is a Michelin restaurant featuring classic French cuisine, while Restaurante Fernando is a relaxing example of the finest comfort food Portuguese culture can offer.

Macau: Gambling Mecca of China

Known as the Oriental Las Vegas, Macau laces heart-pounding brightly-lit gambling venues through picturesque green hills and gardens. Gamblers can enjoy everything from greyhound racing to poker, in over a dozen casinos throughout the Macau peninsular. And, like Vegas, each immaculately kept casino has its own architecture and design theme, adding to the surreal and fantastical landscape. However, Macau is a haven for extraordinarily savvy gamblers, so amateurs take note;

before you square off against the international gambling community, you might want to get in some convenient practice by playing a few rounds on online casinos in the comfort of your own home. Practice makes perfect, and to fit in Macau’s high-stake gambling scene you definitely want to come prepared.

Take a Night Cap in Macau’s Clubs

After the restaurants and after the poker, take a journey into Macau’s spectacular nightlife, which most definitely recalls the Las Vegas nightlife scene. Macau has expansive, all-night-long party venues featuring the most popular entertainers and events. And for those who don’t enjoy the rave scene and stages filled with pyrotechnics, Macau also has some of the most sophisticated high society lounges in the world, where high rollers can relax and reflect upon the day’s wins… or nurse their heartache after a rare losing streak. All-in-all, there’s hardly a place that you can find such a diverse and extraordinary selection of nightlife clubs and venues all packed in a single area.

Go Sightseeing Away from the Bright Lights

Tourists became enamored with Las Vegas not just because of the bright lights, clubs and gambling, but also because it’s so close to the scenic Nevada desert, Grand Canyon and other world famous attractions. The same can be said of Macau, which boasts such remarkable sightseeing and historic venues as the Ruins of St. Paul’s Church, A-Ma Temple, the Maritime Museum and the Museum of Macau. If you’re a history and culture buff, you can take a day or two and explore these lovely sites, which are in close proximity — as is everything else in Macau.

Bask in Luxury at the Hotels and Spas

After a hard day of luxury and sightseeing, Macau has the perfect treat for you. Just like Las Vegas, there are some incredible luxury hotel suite offerings. From The Venetian Macao to Hotel Lisboa, most of the hotels have premium services such as in-suite massages and spas. And there are hotels in all price ranges, for the budget traveler to the big spender alike. Many of the hotels have on-premise clubs and gambling, for your fun and convenience.

When visiting Macau, don’t forget that it qualifies as a separate region for the purposes of foreign entry! As with Hong Kong, there are separate requirements for those entering from and to mainland China. Get your documents in order to ensure an easy and fantastic journey. Macau has most definitely earned its title as the Sin City of the Orient, and will likely continue developing as the city’s allure continues to bring in tourists from all four corners of the world.
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