7 Best Sights in China

Every 30 minutes, from noon until 10 pm, punters and passersby flock to the Wynn to witness flames and fountain jets flicker to tracks like “Diamonds Are Forever” at Performance Lake outside Macau’s first Vegas-style casino-hotel. Inside, they crowd around the rotunda to watch the “Tree of Prosperity” unfold with feng shui glitz, every hour on the dot from noon until 10 pm. Elaborate shows aside, the Wynn’s expansive, brightly lit gaming floor, exquisite fine dining options, luxury boutiques, deluxe spa, and trendy suites make this one of the finer resorts in Macau. Its 1,000 rooms span the glamorous suites in the Encore Tower, all offering views of Nam Van Lake and no less than 1,100 square feet, and the Wynn Tower’s luxurious suites and guestrooms, clad with marble-floored bathrooms, subdued cream-and-gold palettes, and Chinese artwork.

Opened in 1970 by Dr. Stanley Ho, this iconic Macau gaming den, unmissable with its flashing neon marquee, is replete with ancient jade ships in the halls, gilded staircases, and more baccarat tables than you can shake a craps stick at. Most of the gamblers are from neighboring Guangdong province, and Cantonese is the lingua franca. Other popular pastimes at this storied casino revolve around international fine-dining venues and colorful coffee shops, if you care to wander around the maze of marbled floors and low ceilings.

This blooming lotus-shape landmark towers over the Macau skyline. Inside, the main gaming floor features hundreds of tables—including some offering Texas hold ’em poker rings and craps, plus low minimums—and about 1,000 slot machines centered around a giant glowing orb. While the casino’s famed Paris cabaret show is no more, there are plenty of ways to stay entertained. The Grand Lisboa has fantastic dining choices, for example, from the baroque Casa Don Alfonso to the elegant Lotus Lounge. If the slots have been kind, celebrate by having a divine dinner on-site at Michelin-starred stalwarts Robuchon au Dôme or The Eight. 

This stylish part of Macau’s gambling scene offers lavish lounges, Dale Chihuly glass sculptures, Portuguese-inspired architecture, and fine dining. The gambling floor itself is popular with high rollers from Hong Kong, including business tycoons who are just in for a few days. One of the owners, Pansy Ho, is the daughter of Macau’s “gambling godfather,” Dr. Stanley Ho. She is a high-octane business professional in her own right, and her discerning touch shows up in the property’s glitz-and-glam energy and high-society appeal.

In the mid-2000s, this homegrown brand planted itself on the map when the property, then the Crown Hotel, became the busiest casino in the world in terms of betting volume. Since those heady days, gaming action has pivoted away from VIPs to focus on the higher end of the mass market. Now, that action takes place on the ground level and first floor, leaving the rest of the property at peace. Since the whales have left for the newer casino-resorts, the Altira Macau is much more accessible and offers great value, as well as sweeping views of the peninsula.

One of the largest casinos in Macau until Cotai’s megaprojects stole the spotlight, the Sands is the first casino you’ll see on the peninsula, even before disembarking from the ferry. Now more than 20 years old, it’s no longer the biggest or shiniest game in town, and the focus here is clearly just gambling, often the inveterate kind---but it can still be a sight to behold. There’s a sparkling 50-ton chandelier over the entrance and rotating live cabaret shows in the middle of the action, where you can play a mix of Asian and Western games, including blackjack, three-card poker, and slots.

Galaxy’s former flagship venue has always been known for its over-the-top service and entertainment. As you enter the towering StarWorld empire you’re greeted by hosts in high heels, while a band serenades you from across the lobby. The gaming floors are small and dominated by baccarat tables, but the drink service is excellent. If you seek respite from the trenches, visit the Whisky Bar on the 16th floor of the adjacent hotel—an atmospheric place to begin or end your evening with a single malt or cocktail. The neon-blue building is just across from the Wynn Macau and down the block from the MGM Macau. Live lobby entertainment and local holiday attractions add a kitschy, friendly feel.