A Quick Guide to Macau: Three Reasons to Go Before (if) it Goes

Despite being the largest gambling destination in the world, Macau is in trouble. Although the death knell for the Las Vegas of the East isn’t ready to chime just yet, the latest financial report doesn’t make for pleasant reading.

According to the experts, Macau’s revenue tumbled 39% year-on-year in April to $2.4 billion. Although not a paltry amount by any stretch of the imagination, the haul is significantly lower than it was 12 months earlier and is the 11th successive drop for the Asian casino heartland. While the same experts aren’t ready to call time on Macau just yet, they are suggesting that its reign in the gaming industry could be coming to an end.

If this is true, then that’s reason enough to take a trip to Macau sooner rather than later. But if you book a flight, where should you go and what should you do? Some pundits may be calling Macau a “disappearing Las Vegas,” but there is still a plethora of things to do in the land of bright lights and big bets.

The Great Panda Pavilion

If you’re willing to step outside of Macau’s casino confines, then a trip to the Giant Panda Pavilion is a chance for you to see one of the world’s endangered species. Open six days a week, the exhibit is situated in the hills of Coloane. The pandas, Kai Kai and Xin Xin, are the star attraction within Seac Pai Van Park.

According to the stats, the pandas are two of 320 left in breeding centers across the world which means a chance to see them is a rare treat. Admission is $1.25 and children under 12 can get in for free so there’s no reason this shouldn’t be on your list of things to do in Macau. To help protect the animals, the admission is staggered throughout the day and there are two main show times: 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00. Although the pandas are located away from the main strip, the pavilion is well worth the trip.

The Ruins of St. Paul’s

While Macau’s casino industry may be in danger of disappearing from all sight, there’s one monument in Macau that will live on for many years to come. The Ruins of St. Paul’s has stood since the 16th century and, today, you can visit the original site and learn about the history of Macau’s most famous landmark. Although the original buildings, St. Paul’s College and Cathedral of St. Paul, were burned down, the stone facade was restored and now stands as the entrance to a museum.

A grand staircase leads visitors to the upper-section of the original building, giving a glimpse into the intricate details of the stone carving. Moreover, once atop of the building, you can look out and enjoy a panoramic view of Macau. As you’d expect, the whole site is steeped in history and offers a portal into Macau’s past, thanks to a number of artefacts including a collection of Sino-Portuguese crucifixes. Like most museums, admission is free, and the attraction is open seven days a week from 9:00 to 18:00. The downside to this is that it can become crowded at peak times, so if you’re planning a trip to the Ruins of St. Paul’s make sure you head down early morning or late afternoon.

The Wynn Macau Poker Room

Last but not least, without stating the obvious, you will have to taste of Macau’s gambling culture, a trip to one of the resort’s leading poker rooms is a must. Many grinders will have their own views on which room offers the best games and the finest surroundings so it’s worth reading up about the provision before you go. But certainly a must for any poker player is the Wynn Macau. A direct relative to the popular Las Vegas poker room, Wynn Macau offers both No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha cash games throughout the day and night.

Unlike some venues in Macau, the Wynn has decided to offer games beyond the realms of Hold’em and this means the room is one of the busiest in the city. One consideration for anyone used to playing poker in casinos in other parts of the world is the rake. As noted by semi-professional poker player Ken Mizuhara, even at the lowest stakes (around $1/$2) the rake is noticeably higher than in Las Vegas. One trade off, however, is that tips aren’t allowed which means the money you save by not tipping dealers can be used to offset the higher rake.

Macau’s Myriad of Options

Macau’s gaming industry may be on a downswing at the moment, but the resort itself is still thriving. In between its grand casinos with their opulent décor and myriad of gaming options, a plethora of cultural attractions are on offer. While Macau may have hit the headlines in recent years because of its casinos, the Chinese territory has a history that dates back many centuries and you can get a glimpse into some of this history by visiting venues such as the Panda Pavilion and the Ruins of St. Paul’s.

featured photo credit: Skyline via photopin (license)