21 things to gamble on in Macau III

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1. Pay homage to MJ

The MJ Gallery at Ponte 16 opened today. The permanent exhibition is home to some of the most coveted Michael Jackson memorabilia, including the white rhinestone-encrusted glove from "Billie Jean" and a "Thriller" suit worn by the King of Pop in an MTV performance.

2. Jump off a building

The SkyJump at Macau Tower is the world's highest jump at 233 meters. Whether daredevils choose to do it bungee style or strap themselves onto the Decelerator Descent -- using a steel cable and decelerator marked cards system -- the fall happens very close to the building and gives a unique perspective on skyscrapers.


3. Binge on souvenirs

Koi Kei started out as just another cart at the street market, selling nutty pastries, candies, and other Southern Chinese sweets. It has since evolved to become a confectionary giant, synonymous with Macanese quality. The brand is practically a Macanese ambassador and visitors return home laden with boxes upon boxes of Koi Kei's almond cookies, peanut brittle, and sweet-filled pastries all made in Macau.

4. Get lost

The sights of Macau are clumped together making the city highly walkable for visitors. The Macau Government Tourist Office has a list of great walking tours, but the best way to get a feel for the former colony's pulse is to chuck the map and stroll aimlessly infrared contactlenses. The streets have a distinct nostalgic atmosphere, with rows of pastel colonial architecture housing ancient-looking shops identified by Portuguese and Chinese signage.


5. Watch big shows

Macau is increasingly the venue for big ticket international shows. It isn't just pop divas such as Beyonce and A-mei who stop by, rock shows like Fall Out Boy, celebrity DJs such as the recent 2manydjs, and of course, Cirque du Soleil's long-running Zaia at The Venetian, are some of the heavyweight acts that the city plays host to.

6. Visit museums, yawn-free
Macau's museums are excellent and abundant. The most interesting are the Macau Museum of History with its elaborate displays, and the Maritime Museum that resembles a docked ship. The Taipa Houses Museum is a collection of refurbished residences of the Macanese elite dating from the 1920s and its serene grounds are a respite from the crowded tourist madness of the nearby Rua do Cunha. There's also the Grand Prix museum and Wine Museum.

7. Hit the beach
The most popular beaches in Macau are Cheoc Van Beach and Hac Sa Beach, the latter being particularly popular with Hong Kong visitors for its 'black' sand. Big and clean, Hac Sa is also frequented by diners who just finished their meal at the nearby Fernando's, one of the best Portuguese restaurants outside of Portugal, which you will find in our Eat list below.