The Cotai Strip: A One-Hour Tour of Europe
From Big Ben to the Eiffel Tower, unlock Macao's ultimate mega resorts
Canal at The Venetian Macao
Bjørn Christian TørrissenCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons
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On Macao's Cotai Strip, architectural imagination has been pushed to the absolute limit. This strip not only gathers the world's top luxury hotels but perfectly replicates classic European landmarks. This is a magical journey through Europe—no passport required.
Macao is no longer just a city of casinos. The reclaimed land known as the Cotai Strip is now Asia's most concentrated and luxurious cluster of integrated resorts. Here, every hotel is a massive tourist destination in its own right.
British Elegance and French Romance
Our journey begins at the newly upgraded and incredibly popular The Londoner Macao. The majestic exterior of the Palace of Westminster and a highly accurate replica of Big Ben stand proudly on the street, chiming classic bells on the hour. Inside the stunning Crystal Palace atrium, you can witness the spectacular "Changing of the Guard" multimedia show. Right next door is The Parisian Macao, featuring a half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower. As night falls, the tower puts on a dazzling light show. Strolling along the indoor Champs-Élysées replica, the romance is off the charts.
Italian Canals and Hollywood Starlight
When on the Cotai Strip, you cannot miss the pioneer that started it all: The Venetian Macao, the second-largest single-structure building in the world. On the third floor, under a permanently blue painted sky, three winding canals run through the Grand Canal Shoppes. Taking a ride on a traditional gondola while listening to your gondolier belt out Italian classics like 'O Sole Mio' is an essential experience. Next, head to the Hollywood-themed Studio City Macao. It boasts the Golden Reel—the world's highest figure-8 Ferris wheel—and Macao's largest indoor/outdoor water park, making it perfect for thrill-seekers and families.
An Art Palace of Extreme Luxury
Finally, we arrive at Wynn Palace. This floral- and art-themed resort pushes luxury to its absolute zenith. It is highly recommended to take the free SkyCab into the hotel at dusk. The cable car glides directly over the massive Performance Lake, where you can watch the spectacular dancing water fountains set to music. Inside the lobby, giant kinetic floral sculptures (like carousels and hot air balloons) made of real flowers, along with the CEO's private collection of rare art, provide the perfect, opulent finale to your "European" tour.
The mega resorts on the Cotai Strip are very close to each other. Most are connected by indoor, air-conditioned footbridges (e.g., The Londoner, Venetian, and Parisian are fully linked). The Macao Light Rapid Transit (LRT) Cotai East and Cotai West stations directly serve the resorts, and all hotels offer free shuttle buses to ferry terminals and borders.
For the best full-length photo of the Eiffel Tower, visit the "Le Jardin" park right across the street from The Parisian. The schedule for The Londoner's "Changing of the Guard" varies by season, so check the official website before you go.