I Conquered the World’s Highest Urban Climb
During my recent stay in Hong Kong, I decided to spend a full day in the former Portuguese province of Macau. Macau is mainly known for its blend between Portuguese and Chinese culture, as well as the gambling industry on the island. Casinos such as The Venetian, Wynn and Casino Lisboa attract millions of tourists annually, but gambling was not the reason I decided to visit Macau. What had piqued my interest was the Macau Tower and the extreme adventure tour company AJ Hackett.
Soaring 338 metres above ground, the Macau Tower is the highest building in Macau. The tower houses everything from restaurants and shops to theaters and an observation deck. More interestingly, it also houses the world’s highest commercial bungy jump, the highest tethered skyjump in the world, and a skywalk on the ledge of the tower.
As an adrenaline addict who is not averse to living on the edge, I immediately knew I had to add throwing myself off of it in the world’s highest bungy jump to my itinerary.
Upon arrival at the Macau Tower, I boarded the high-speed panoramic elevators that transported me up to the Adventure Deck on the 61th floor and with 360-degree view of the area.
SKY WALK
Once outfitted in my safety harness, I was lead out on the outer platform that encircles the outside wall of the tower to begin my Skywalk. The Skywalk can be described as a stroll around the outer rim of Macau Tower. The platform around the tower is about 2 meters wide with no handrails on either side to separate you from the 223 metre drop.
The harness is attached to a set of rails on top of the outer platform.
Piercing the sky at a dizzying height of 223 metres, tethered to the external frame of the building, I performed the adrenaline-fuelled challenges and stunts as demonstrated. I balanced on one foot with the other swinging in the wind over the ledge. I swung, ran and slided my way through the 360 degrees platform around the tower, taking in the gloomy views of Macau. We completed the full circle on the outer rim of the tower in about 10 minutes.
SKY JUMP
Next up was the Sky Jump. Leaping out from the platform, I was plunging down 61 floors at a speed of 50km/h, attached to a wire cable during my jump. The wire cable meant I was lowered in a controlled manner with a quick descent and smooth landing on the plaza below. The experience was akin to that of stuntmen on film sets, and the jump lasted for about 15 thrilling seconds.
TOWER CLIMB
Macau has more to offer than just the world’s highest bungee jump, a thrilling Sky Jump and an exciting Sky Walk. Macau Tower is also home to the world’s highest urban climb!
My 2-hour ascend began at floor 61, a height of 233 metres above ground. I was geared up and received a safety briefing by the guides, and was attached securely to a cable slider. The first leg of the climb took place inside a small barrel. Finally emerging from the barrel, I had reached the first outdoor platform, bracing myself for the summit attempt.
From here on, I would be scaling the rest of the tower from the outside, surrounded by the vast expanse of open air and completely exposed to the elements, watching Macau taking shape beneath my feet as I had travelled up the ladders.
I proceed by climbing the mast’s vertical ladders, one at a time, scaling the exterior of the structure, stopping every now and then at the outdoor platforms. The first few outdoor ladders reminded me of rung ladders, however, the hardest part of the climb was yet to come. After having reached the top platform of the tower – a dazzling 320 metres above ground level – the last leg of the climb was done on small U-shaped rungs attached directly to the narrowest part of the mast.
The weather conditions were not the best, with the wind howling against my face and rain coming down in torrents. Ever so often, I could feel the mast slightly swaying from side to side and back and forth.
Nevertheless, I eventually reached the very tip of the mast, conquering Macau’s highest point at 338 metres and was immediately rewarded with unobstructed vistas of Macau. I was literally soaring over the cityscape and bodies of water.
The ascend to the pinnacle of the tower was a daring exploit and what I enjoyed most about the Tower Climb is that, in contrast to the jump, the climb gives you have full control and so you are put into a position in which you need to make conscious decisions, making the activity much more of a challenge.
An Unforgettable Experience
The adventure activities with AJ Hackett at Macau Tower was an epic and unforgettable experience that will remain a vivid memory for long to come.
What do you travel for? Is it for escapism and recreation, to meet new people and new cultures, or to check off bucket list items and push your fears to the limit? I would love you to drop me a comment below and share your experiences.
25 Comments
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Nordh
If you ever find yourself in Macau, you would not want to miss out on this! It’s such a memorable experience! Glad you liked the photos!
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Bianca
Looks as scary as shit, even for someone that loves heights as much as I do. This is going on the bucket list for when I am on this side of the world.
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Clarice
This is very timely since we’ll be in Macau in November. We would definitely include this in our itinerary. Looks so funny and exciting.
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Rachelle
What a crazy adventure, you adrenaline-filled junkie! Haha I’m not sure I’d be able to do this. The tower reminds me of the Stratsophere in Las Vegas. I rode the roller coasters atop it, but can’t imagine what it would be like to play along a skywalk or even jump off of it! Holy cow, what an adventure to tell!
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Nordh
I haven’t been to Stratsophere in Vegas but riding the Stratosphere Rollercoaster is on my bucket list! I wonder if you can climb it too?
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Debjani Lahiri
Wow wow you did some good adventure . As I am a adventur freak myself o just came back visiting the highest point in Bangkok which was not scary for me . But I would like to do this skyjump sometime
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Nordh
From one adventure freak to another, you would not want to give this a miss! Is it the Baiyoke Tower in Bangkok you visited?
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Casey
Hands up for all the people who can go through with this. There is no way I can do this no matter what age I’m.
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Yukti Agrawal
Wow, this looks very adventurous but scary for me. I am afraid of heights but one day, I will overcome this fear and do this skywalk. Falling from 223 meters is truly an adventure. The views of cloudy Macau is also giving the essence to the whole scene. The whole thing looks like a movie scene.
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Nordh
I think it’s a greay way to overcome one’s fear of height, since it is so much fun doing it, you don’t even pay attention to the height! At least I didn’t, all I could focus on was snapping some shots. Yes, the weather was a bit tricky the day of my climb, the fog obstructed the view but it sure gave an eerie feeling to the scene.
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Taylor
Wow… even just reading this and looking at the pictures makes my stomach drop. I love reading how you enjoy this because you could not pay me any amount of money in the world to enjoy such a thing. Cheers to your bravery and sense of adventure and thank you for documenting it for people like me who will never do such a thing!
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umiko
My thighs are trembling just by looking at your pictures. And everyone was smiling up there. No fair! Definitely not the adventure I will do in my life. lol. I enjoyed reading your adventure though! One of a kind!
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Nordh
Everyone had such a great time and really enjoyed themselves. It’s such a memorable adventure, definitely one of a kind.
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Debjani Lahiri
Skyjump gave me goosebumps . I loved the way you triggered the adrenaline rush inside me . Your article shows how much fun you had doing all these adventure in Macau .. stil to visit but willl make it on the cards for sure
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Parnashree Devi
These are some crazy adventures. Though it looks fun, I would never dare to do the sky jump. I would though love to do the sky walk. It give some thrill for sure. What a post. Loved reading about the adventures. Loved the photography
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Nordh
The sky jump is not as terrifying as it seems! But the skywalk is great fun to do! Unfortunately the weather was not the best, it was raining and it was very foggy which somehow obstructed the view of the city. But I would do this again in a heartbeat! Glad you liked the photos.
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Leah
This is incredible! I am an adventure seeker, so this is something I’d love to try! The sky jump would be my favorite part. I didn’t know about this before reading your post, but I’ll keep it in mind for a future trip to Hong Kong!
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Cat Lin
Looking at your pictures and reading through your post, I feel like I was there with you. My knees are buckling and jitters run down my feet! This sounds a scary but exciting experience. And the view from above looks wonderful…Oh, I’d like to try at least the Skywalk when in Macau. I hope I could summon my courage to do so.
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Clarice
Congratulations! This is such a wonderful experience. We’re actually planning to go to Macau this December and I will see if I can handle the Macau Tower. Thank you for the inspiration.
Shreya Saha
I guess I will have to contact AJ Hackett when in Macau. I would love to do all these adventurous activities at Macau Tower when I visit the place. It’s a great experience and your photos are killer!