Taipa accommodation from AU$106

Macau has been the gambling capital of the world since 2006, with casinos spread all over its two sections, peninsular Macau and its three islands. Taipa is the north island and connected to the Macau Peninsula. Cotai, just to the south of Taipa, has the Cotai Strip, which is giving the Las Vegas Strip a real run for its money with golf courses and some of the most mind-blowing casinos the world has ever seen.

But unless all you are going to do is gamble, Taipa is a far better bet for travellers. You can cross one of the bridges to the Macau Peninsula and eat everything from steamy late-night Chinese noodle soup to Portuguese baked chicken (Macau used to be a Portuguese colony), or put your courage to the test with extreme activities at the top of spectacular Macau Tower, including a 233m bungee jump.

Back on Taipa a hike or bike ride in and around the surprisingly dense and tranquil forested slopes of the Taipa Hills shows you a side of Macau that is often forgotten. The fascinating Museum of Taipa and Coloane History shows you more about what the Macau islands were about outside of gambling in the days when shipbuilding, agriculture and fishing brought in the money.

But you can’t deny it: gambling is what Macau is all about and not many other places let you do it in so much class and glamour. You’ll feel a little like James Bond sliding into a cushioned seat at the card tables in Crown Macau Casino with bright lights dangling overheard. Those who like a crowd atmosphere can pick their lucky horse at the Macau Jockey Club.

Don’t let the glitz and luxury of Macau’s skyrocketing casino scene blind you too much! It’s a lot of fun but the city has much more to say about itself than simple games. That is what our Taipa accommodation will help you discover. Find great room rates and flights to Macau here.