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There are many alternatives to Las Vegas, but it is a difficult destination to replace.
Some consider the city of Reno, Nevada a mini “Vegas,” while Atlantic City has gone out of its way to become an East Coast entertainment hub.
Unfortunately, to no avail. Las Vegas is just hard to compete with because it is truly iconic and world famous.
Yet there is one sensational spot in Asia that is most comparable, and you don’t have to buy expensive tickets to see famous entertainers in their golden years.
Well, at least not what you’ve heard of…
Instead, put your money to good use by purchasing an international flight to the ‘Las Vegas’ of Asia for an exciting adventure.
Despite the fact that a new travel advisory has recently been issued by the US Department of State reports show more American travelers do not let safety concerns stop them from traveling to America Macau.
Not a first offender
Say what you will about visiting mainland China, but Macau operates as a SAR (special administrative region), unlike Beijing, Shanghai and every other city under Chinese rule that isn’t called Hong Kong.
That said, travelers have been rightly warned not once, but twice about the risks of visiting countries linked to the Chinese regime.
Last summer we published a story about some previous advice for travelers visiting Macau. Since then, visitor numbers have increased significantly, especially among Americans and Canadians.
Frankly, not much has changed since then in terms of Macau’s prospects, so what’s the appeal for American travelers?
Beyond the glitz and glamour
Since we live in a world glued to our devices, it’s hard to resist the temptation and give in to all the shiny new things.
But that is quickly forgotten when we get a reality check, like the crazy Dubai floods now. The Burj Khalifa just isn’t the same when you’re knee deep in water, right?
The same principle applies to Macau. As fascinating as Macau is visually, the city is also an important historical figure and packed with culture, unlike the bright lights of Vegas, which was founded much, much later in 1905.
Even then, the famous Strip wasn’t formed until the 1940s. Macau isn’t all casinos, neon lights and gimmicky attractions.
There is a whole other side to discover, as the city’s beautiful architecture and bustling streets will simultaneously open your eyes to a new culture and take you back in time.
While if you avoid the bright lights of Vegas, you might encounter even more chain restaurants or perhaps encounter the “mole people” of the city’s vast tunnel systems.
You just never know what you’ll find in there Shame citybut it’s certainly not the sensory overload they may be trying to recreate through Paris, New York City and Venice.
Macau gives foreigners a sense of adventure while having many of the same benefits as Vegas, which you can enjoy as an adult playground.
Is Macau safe? Risk versus reward
There is no doubt that all travelers, not just Americans, come to Macau for a good time. Ultimately, that’s what Macau sells.
Here tourists will discover much of the same as Vegas, with name brand casinos, luxury restaurants and a variety of entertainment.
As tempting as Macau is to visit, with two travel advisories issued in the past year, it’s only fair to wonder whether it’s safe for tourists.
You may not know that Macau has deep Portuguese roots and has only been under Chinese rule for 24 years, which is why many streets give tourists a European vibe.
Crazy, right? There were certainly no serious travel problems in 1999, but so much has changed since then.
The U.S. State Department has not issued advisories for Macau based on what you might encounter in other destinations, such as petty crime and gang activity.
The situation specific to Macau is simply more unpredictable in terms of arbitrary enforcement of laws.
For what it’s worth, Hong Kong (another SAR) is designated Level 2 while Macau is considered riskier Level 3.
Since so much of the 580,000 visitors in January and February there are Americans, there are no horror stories making headlines about the unfair treatment of Western tourists.
With tensions rising around the world, it’s ultimately up to travelers to decide whether Macau is truly risky or just a pawn in what seems to be an endless political chess game.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
