bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

knowledgeQuestion

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Kylie Knott

When Macau reopened its doors to visitors in January, it unleashed a flood of emotions from those working in the hard-hit tourism industry.
Scott Davies, CEO of ZipCity Macau, which offers “flights” on an immersive urban skyscraper zip line, felt a mix of relief and hope.
“A lot of people had been waiting for that moment for a long time,” says Davies. “It came with a lot of emotions.”
Today, Davies feels like he’s in the right place at the right time.

In its pre-Covid days, the city attracted almost 40 million tourists annually. Casinos were the major drawcard – in 2019, revenue from the sector hit a whopping US$36 billion, six times that of Las Vegas.
But Macau is shifting its focus to appeal to a wider audience, one seeking fun and adventure.
8 of Asia’s most thrilling zip lines, from Macau to Japan’s Godzilla
Driving the shift is a 10-year, US$15 billion investment from the major casino licence holders, 90 per cent of which will go towards non-gaming initiatives such as theme parks, exhibitions, water parks, shopping venues and other family-friendly activities.
ZipCity, located at the Lisboeta Macau hotel in the Cotai neighbourhood, fits the new vision.
It takes adventure to new heights, allowing five riders to simultaneously zip along 388-metre (1,273-foot) lines, reaching speeds of up to 55km/h (34mph).

Adding to the experience are more than 100,000 LED lights illuminating the take-off tower, platforms, cables and landing zone. A custom-made soundtrack enhances the sensory experience while artificial-intelligence-powered video cameras capture all the fun, delivering footage of the ride to the customer soon after landing.
It’s a rush – and it’s addictive, says Davies. “I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve taken a flight.”
He adds that Macau appeals to Hongkongers because a ferry or bus fare is convenient – and economical.
“The days when people took a cheeky flight for a weekend getaway to places like Thailand aren’t happening because flights are still pretty expensive, particularly if you have a family,” he says.

While ZipCity is new to Macau, Davies’ network is spread around the globe, providing thrilling rides from the botanical gardens of Vancouver, Canada, to the spectacular ocean views of the Caribbean.
“‘Flying’ over natural wonders has long been associated with zip lining but in Macau the immersive urban audiovisual experience is unique,” Davies says.
“We wanted to take an already thrilling experience and enhance it while making it accessible to all age groups. And Macau, with all its glitz and amazing views, well it really works in that context.”


Thailand’s tourist arrivals could exceed pre-pandemic levels next year

Singapore’s flag carrier to debut first class seats for ultra-long-haul flights

How to enter mainland China visa-free: a traveller’s guide

We skipped Guilin’s karst hills and visited Longzhou in Guangxi, China instead – and this is what we found

Asia travel

New 388-metre zip line in China’s gambling hub Macau takes adventure in the city to new heights

A thrill-seeker takes a night-time ride on the new 388-metre-long zip line in China’s gambling hub of Macau. Photo: ZipCity Macau

Up to five riders can simultaneously ride ZipCity Macau. Photo: ZipCity Macau

Scott Davies, CEO of ZipCity Macau. Photo: ZipCity Macau

Video cameras powered by AI capture the fun. Photo: ZipCity Macau

6 new Southeast Asian luxury beach hotels for 2023 – ‘barefoot luxury’ and yoga in Bali, remote eco-tourism, ocean views and more

LXR Hotels & Resorts Uluwatu. Photo: LXR Hotels & Resorts

Cap Karoso on Indonesia’s Sumba Island. Southeast Asia’s seaside resorts are set to boom in 2023, and stunning new luxury hotels are opening or have opened across the region. Photo: Cap Karoso

A bird’s-eye view of a beach on Sumba, an hour’s flight from Bali – with boats floating in the emerald green waters that surround the island. Photo: Cap Karoso

Cap Karoso, on the Indonesian island of Sumba. Photo: Grab Architects

Kimpton Naranta, on the island of Bali, is Indonesia’s first property from the California-based hotel company. Photo: Kimpton Naranta

The Pavilions Anambas promises a 100 per cent no-plastic-use policy. Photo: The Pavilions Anambas.

LXR Hotels & Resorts Uluwatu comprises 72 villas overlooking a beach. Photo: LXR Hotels & Resorts

Ocean views from one of the pools at LXR Hotels & Resorts Uluwatu. Photo: LXR Hotels & Resorts

The buildings at Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach are made partly from recycled materials from the Thai teak wood houses that originally stood on the property. Photo: Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach

Located in the windsurfing hotspot Mui Ne, Anam Mui Ne’s design incorporates local woodwork, mosaic tiles and lanterns, to evoke the Indochine era. Photo: Anam Mui Ne

How to attract the new wave of Chinese tourists: big-city thrills, nighttime activities, adventure tourism – or go with ChatGPT’s humorous advice?

Macau’s just-opened ZipCity zipline attraction offers evening excursions over Cotai accompanied by an audiovisual show illuminated by more than 100,000 LED lights. Night tourism is expected to be a significant draw as Chinese tourists return to global destinations. Photo: ZipCity

Prof Dr Wolfgang Georg Arlt and Gary Bowerman’s new handbook.

Skiers queue for the chairlift at Nanshan ski resort in Beijing, China on February 18, 2022. Thanks to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the popularity of winter sports has grown strongly among the Chinese. Photo: Getty Images

Temple street night market in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Photo: Getty Images

Zheng He (1371-1433 or 1435) was a Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat, fleet admiral, and court eunuch during China’s early Ming dynasty. Photo: Getty Images

Zen Buddhist temple offers a retreat to reset the soul, and promotes South Korean Buddhism and culture

The Great Unification Buddha, called Tongil Daebul, at the Sinheungsa temple in South Korea. Photo: Victoria Burrows

The Templestay “hanok” where guests stay at the Sinheungsa temple in South Korea. Like many retreats in the country’s Templestay programme, Sinheungsa offers a variety of plans to reset a visitor’s soul. Photo: Victoria Burrows

The altar of the main temple at the Sinheungsa complex. Photo: Victoria Burrows

Nature surrounds Sinheungsa temple. Photo: Victoria Burrows

A tea shop in Seoraksan National Park. Photo: Victoria Burrows

A guardian in the entrance gate to Sinheungsa temple. Photo: Victoria Burrows

A water feature on the grounds of the Sinheungsa temple. Photo: Victoria Burrows

A vegetarian dinner at Sinheungsa temple. Photo: Victoria Burrows

The Sinheungsa main temple from the side. Photo: Victoria Burrows

Sinheungsa temple is built on a wooded hillside inside a national park. It’s impossible not to go for a hike while staying on a retreat there. Photo: Victoria Burrows

Kyejoam Seokgul Hermitage shrine is on the route up to Ulsanbawi. Photo: Victoria Burrows

The Great Unification Buddha, called Tongil Daebul, at the Sinheungsa temple complex. Photo: Victoria Burrows

Magazines

PostMag

Travel

Lifestyle

Travel & Leisure

Billed as an immersive urban skyscraper zip line, ZipCity Macau allows five people to ride simultaneously at speeds of up to 55km/h
More than 100,000 LED lights illuminate the take-off tower, platforms, cables and landing zone, while a custom-made soundtrack enhances the sensory experience


Billed as an immersive urban skyscraper zip line, ZipCity Macau, at the Lisboeta Macau, takes adventure in China’s gambling hub to new heights.


New 388-metre zip line in China’s gambling hub Macau takes adventure in the city to new heights

Billed as an immersive urban skyscraper zip line, ZipCity Macau allows five people to ride simultaneously at speeds of up to 55km/h More than 100,000 LED lights illuminate the take-off tower, platforms, cables and landing zone, while a custom-made soundtrack enhances the sensory experience

Billed as an immersive urban skyscraper zip line, ZipCity Macau allows five people to ride simultaneously at speeds of up to 55km/h

More than 100,000 LED lights illuminate the take-off tower, platforms, cables and landing zone, while a custom-made soundtrack enhances the sensory experience