Escape Shanghai: The Bright Lights of Macau

Risk is the name of the game in Macau—and not just within the gold and marble confines of the city's 30-plus casinos. Pouring billions of dollars into the city, top global players in the hospitality industry are placing their biggest bets there. Case in point: the opening of the brand-new Sheraton Macau Hotel, Cotai Central. With nearly 4,000 rooms, it's easily the largest hotel in Macau and the largest hotel in the world (outside of Las Vegas) to open in the last decade.

While Macau may be the world's gambling capital (it surpassed Vegas in 2006 and currently rakes in four times as much), there's more than just dice rolling. Macau Tower is home to the world's highest bungee jump, where you can free fall from a 233-meter platform at up to 200 kilometers per hour (MOP$2,488). Or you can stroll around the main outer rim of the tower (MOP$688), or even climb to the very top, the region's highest summit at 338 meters. The latter is known as the mast climb (MOP$2,488), and ascending and descending takes two hours. Needless to say, is not for the faint of heart. Even if you're a bit acrophobic, we still recommend ascending Macau Tower (by elevator) for the panoramic cityscape views (MOP$120).

Macau's also got plenty of history. A-Ma Temple dates back to the Ming Dynasty, but if you're short on time, skip it and avoid the busloads of Mainland tourists. First-timers should not miss the ruins of St. Paul's, though, a Macau landmark. The ruins consist of part of what were the Cathedral of St. Paul and St. Paul's College, possibly the first Western university in Asia.

The surrounding narrow and hilly streets are also great for exploring what remains of old Macau. Pick up souvenirs and local snacks here. The region is known for specialties like barbecued dried meat of the pork and beef variety, pork chop buns, egg rolls, Portuguese egg tarts, mooncakes … the list goes on.

Macau features world-class retail shopping and dining as well. It's duty-free designer paradise for those coming from Shanghai. Staying at the new Sheraton means easy access to 600-plus duty-free shops between Shoppes Cotai Central and—just across the street—Shoppes at Four Seasons and Shoppes Grand Canal. With a footbridge on the way, all three destinations will soon be under one roof.

When you tire of retail, rejuvenate at the Sheraton's three outdoor pools, Shine Spa (Asia's largest) or Sheraton Fitness, for which the hotel has partnered with Core Performance. For the children, there is the Kids' Zone, which includes a toddler play area and a range of activities from face painting to cooking to playing musical instruments.

Fine dining options abound, but one of our top picks is Xin, nestled right within the fully integrated resort Sands Cotai Central where the Sheraton is located. Xin is Macau's first five-star Asian seafood and individual hot pot restaurant. Food quality is one thing on which the Macanese don't gamble. 

(Soure: sina.com)