Such a grandiose construction was designed by Gordon Moller (a famous New Zealand architect) in just three years. This is a huge complex, which includes cinemas, restaurants, shops, exhibition halls, as well as an observation deck. Especially for supporters of the thrills on this tower, there is the opportunity to test yourself for endurance in mind-blowing attractions.
This skyscraper in its form is a copy of the Eiffel Tower. Macau in China rises half the height of its original.
general information
Macau Tower is one of the most important attractions of the Chinese city of Macau. It offers magnificent views of the Macau Peninsula and its surroundings. A skyscraper is located in the southern part of the peninsula, in the area of a lake called Nam Van.
The construction of the Macau Tower was completed in December 2001. Since then, this high-rise building has been included in the World Federation of Skyscrapers.
Bit of history
Once, billionaire Stanley Ho visited Auckland, New Zealand, where he was struck by the Tower of Heaven towering in it. After that, he decided to build the same structure in his homeland in Macau.
The skyscraper began to be built in 1998, and it was officially opened in December 2001. At the time of its opening, the Macau Tower was the fourteenth in the list of the highest free-standing television towers in the world.
In December 2006, the first bungee jump was made from the 233-meter-high tower by renowned extreme sportsman Alan Hackett. Thus, he broke his own record, entered in the Guinness Book of Records. Prior to this, the championship belonged to the jump in 1987 from the Eiffel Tower, which belonged to him.
Tower characteristics
Macau Tower is equipped with high-speed elevators, the maximum speed of which reaches 32.4 km per hour (or 540 m / min.). Just 40 seconds it takes to climb to a height of 235 meters.
From the observation deck (an area of 734 m 2 ), located at 235 meters high, a breathtaking panorama opens up, revealing picturesque views of the surroundings at a distance of 55 kilometers. From it, the city of Guangzhou, the Pearl River, the picturesque landscapes of the Macau Peninsula itself, and even a part of the Hong Kong islands are perfectly overlooked.
It should be noted that the site has a glass floor and consists of two levels. The outdoor area is equipped with a reliable glass fence. The tower makes a full revolution around its axis in 1 hour. The skyscraper can withstand winds, the speed of which is more than 300 km / h.
The height of the spire made of steel is 90 meters. The total height of the Macau tower is 338 meters, so it is visible from a distance of several tens of kilometers. The weight of the tower is approximately 58,000 tons, and it sways during the typhoon at 8 points by 90 centimeters.
The interior of the complex
On the third floor is the open-air restaurant Lua Azul. The fourth is the Cafe restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere and wonderful views of the harbor. The 360ºCafe Restaurant offers a wide selection of Chinese and European dishes. It rotates slowly, demonstrating the surrounding magnificent expanses from a bird's eye view.
On the fourth floor of the Macau Tower there is also a cinema showing the latest cinema. Also in the premises of this unique complex are exhibition and trade halls.
Shopping
A variety of shops offer a wide selection of products. On the second floor of the building is a beautiful children's store, in the assortment of which 1,500 toys.
The complex houses the most popular and largest cosmetics shop in all of Asia. It presents more than 400 names of fashion brands and other goods (more than 15 thousand), among which are products of famous perfume houses and various food additives.
Extreme Tower
For lovers of thrills, there is a Skywalk X attraction that provides visitors with an opportunity to walk along the outer rim of the tower in the open air, as well as make sky-jumping or bungee jumping from a highly located site (cost $ 150-400).
Great opportunities open to climbers thanks to the concrete and metal supports of the tower. Macau is the only skyscraper in the world offering special extreme programs: climbing the outer walls of the observation deck, climbing a steeple, walking along a cornice and jumping from a height. Those who wish for a fee can capture their tricks on video and take pictures.
Some interesting facts
And in television, the Macau Tower managed to play a significant role over the years.
- The jump from the tower was made by actor Jack Osbourne in 2007 when filming an episode of a reality show called Jack Osbourne: Adrenaline Junkie.
- The bungee jump was also made by chef Anthony Bourdain in one of the many episodes of the television show titled "Anthony Bourdain: No Pre-Orders."
- The tower became the venue for the photo shoot in the reality show "American Top Model" in 2012.
Many episodes of modern shows are captured directly in this high-rise building.