Macau and Hong Kong: Five of the best off the beaten track experiences(1)
1. GO BUNGY JUMPING BY NIGHT
Catch a lift to the top of the Macau’s Sky Tower and one minute later you will have reached the lofty heights of its observatory deck, 233 metres above the ground. Sure, the views are incredible and others may opt to do the tamer Skywalk X on the outer rim of the tower but there’s nothing like leaping off a concrete ledge to get the endorphins rushing madly through your body. Operator AJ Hackett boasts the world’s highest bungy jump, certified by Guinness World Records, and those who take the plunge will rocket past the tower at speeds of close to 200 km per hour. The free fall is over six seconds and before you start to rebound back up you will be within 30 metres of the ground.
A tailor-made cable system allows the bungy jumper to rebound straight up and down, rather than from side to side where there is a risk of making contact with the tower. Jumpers are then lowered down onto a specially designed airbag before the experience comes to an end. Night jumping is available from 6pm to 7:30pm, Monday to Thursday and from 6pm to 9pm, Friday to Sunday. Booking in advance is recommended.
2. GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING
One of Macau’s sporting claims to fame is its Formula 3 Grand Prix — the only street circuit racing event where both car and motorcycle races are held. And in addition to Macau’s Grand Prix Museum, there’s a place where all those would-be motorsport champions can get their fix of tyre squealing action. The modern racing circuit run by the Macau Motor Sports Club has a 1.2 km-long and 10 metre-wide track that plays host to professional go-kart and motorcycle races but is also open to tourists — perfect for those wanting to test their skills and clock up some serious speeds.
Go-karts are available for rental from 100 Macanese patacas (around $12) for a 10 minute session in a 200cc kart, capable of hitting more than 60 km per hour. More powerful 270cc karts with two-seats are also available, allowing drivers to take friends or family members for a ride.
The only karting track in the Hong Kong and Macau region and with 10 corners of varying tightness and difficulty, the circuit presents a good challenge to even the most experienced go-karters. All the necessary safety equipment is provided, from helmets to balaclavas and waterproof clothing for rainy days. There is also a kart- themed restaurant featuring a range of cuisines, where visitors dine in booths built to replicate go-karts.
3. SAMPLE A FINE DROP
The famous Macanese egg tarts aren’t the only gastronomic option on offer in Macau — wine is another drawcard for visitors to this special administrative region. Its cultivation came about as a result of the colonisation of Macau in the 1600s by the Portuguese, for whom wine plays an important part in daily life and tradition. Visitors to the destination can check out the Macau Wine Museum, located next to the Grand Prix Museum, which introduces the development of local viticulture to visitors.
The museum houses a collection of more than 1100 brands of wine (750 commercial wines and 350 collection wines). The oldest wine in the collection — Martle — was produced in 1815. The museum has three main sections — an area focusing on the history of wine-making, a wine cellar that reveals the collection and an exhibition section that provides tastings.
These sections introduce the brewery, the history of the growth of grapes and the tools and utensils used for brewery. Among the newly brewed wine, about 50 varieties are offered for tasting. Opening hours are from 10am to 6pm and the museum is closed on Tuesdays.
