Top 10 Non-Gaming Things to do in Macau

Seeing as how Macau is the world’s biggest casino gaming destination, it’s obvious that many people come here solely for the casinos. But this isn’t to say that gaming is the only thing to do because this special administrative region of China has a lot more to offer visitors. So if you’re looking to experience what else Macau has besides giant casinos and fancy hotel rooms, here are the top 10 non-gaming activities you can do here.

If you’re interested in visiting one of the most unique streets in the world, Senado Square is a must-see attraction. This wavy cobblestone street is accentuated by the various pastel-colored buildings off to the side. Another aspect worth noting about the buildings is that their architecture brings a heavy European influence to this Asian gaming capital. For those of you hoping to do more than look at pretty buildings and streets, there are also plenty of restaurants and shops in this area too.

Major gaming destinations are known for their shows, and Macau is certainly no exception to this fact. One of the biggest long-term shows in the area is Cirque du Soleil’s “ZAIA,” which runs at the Venetian Macau, and tells of a girl whose fantasy is shown among the stars and skies. The “House of Dancing Water” is another notable production worth mentioning as this City of Dreams Macau show combines an epic love story with 3.7 million gallons of water. There are plenty of other shows and comedic acts that visitors can check out when they’re in Macau as well.

Due to their long and rich history, Macau is filled with intriguing historical sights. But none are more visited than the Ruins of St. Paul, which is an elaborately stone-carved church. Unfortunately, the roof and back wall were destroyed by a fire in 1835, but the rest has been preserved for visitors to see. Some of the spectacles people can see carved into this Japanese Christian-designed church include founders of the Jesuit Order, a giant dove, and a woman stepping over a hydra monster. There are 66 steps leading up to the Ruins with maze-like shrubbery off to the side of the steps.

The name throws some people off because Fisherman’s Wharf isn’t a bay full of fishermen and boats. Instead, it’s a huge amusement park that is divided into different “cities” like Lisbon, New Orleans, Venice, Miami etc. Vulcania is the biggest attraction to Fisherman’s Wharf since this fake 40-meter high volcano erupts once a night. There are also rides such as Dragon Quest and River of Fire housed inside of Vulcania. Another interesting spectacle at this theme park is the Roman Amphitheatre, which is a 2,000-seat venue fashioned just like the Coliseum, and visitors can take in shows and other events here. There are also plenty of shops featuring everything from souvenirs to jewelry at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Visiting Guia Fort and Lighthouse is a nice way to do two things at once because you’re not only seeing one of Macau’s historic landmarks, but you also get to enjoy an amazing view too. The structure, which was built in 1622, is positioned on a huge hill so it’s already high enough; but when you ascend to the top of the 91-meter lighthouse, you can see all of Macau. There’s also a cannon near the base of Guia Fort, which serves as a sign that this facility was originally built to defend Macau from any potential threats.

Just like any other major casino destinations such as Las Vegas, Singapore and Atlantic City, Macau has an excellent shopping scene. First off, visitors will find plenty of name brand stores and outlets in the actual casinos themselves. Also, the Zone Nam Van area offers lots of outlet stores as well. If you’re looking to find more traditional Asian products and crafts, you’ll see a lot of smaller shops around the city selling homemade souvenirs and trinkets.

While Macau isn’t typically looked at as a premier swimming destination, they’re quite underrated when it comes to beaches and pools. Both Hac Sa and Choec Van are beautiful beaches that offer sand, waves and excellent scenery. And if you’re looking for a more artificial beach, the Galaxy Macau features a beach and wave pool – all from the rooftop of a building. Both the Wynn Macau and the Venetian Macau have some nice pool setups too.

It’s always fun to sample the food any time you go somewhere new, and this is certainly no different with Macau since they have several very interesting selections. First on the menu is the Portuguese egg tart, which is a crispy pastry with egg custard filling. Another tasty dish is milk pudding with its delicious mixture of milk, sugar and other ingredients. Moving away from the sweets, you can also try dried, seasoned meat, which is served by street vendors throughout the area.

Novelty thrill seekers will love the Macau Tower bungee jump, which sees people plunge from a height of 233 meters. This is one of the highest commercial bungee jumps in the world, and the thrill lasts for right around 10 seconds. The Macau Tower dive has gained international fame since it’s the site of A J Hackett’s 2006 Guinness World Record bungee jump, and was featured on the TV shows “The Amazing Race Asia” and “Jack Osbourne: Adrenaline Junkie.”

Built in 1488, A-Ma Temple is the oldest and most notable temple in Macau. This Taoist structure is so old in fact that it was around long before the Portuguese began moving into the area in the 1500’s. When people think of traditional Asian temples, A-Ma Temple is the epitome of this with its elaborately-crafted symbols and dragons on the outside. On the inside, visitors can travel through six different sections of the temple, and each part holds a treasure guarded by lion statues.