Macau Tower Climb: My Honest Experience and Everything You Need to Know
My toxic trait is signing up for things I have absolutely no business doing, and only regretting it when I’m already strapped into a harness, with no way to back out. That’s exactly how I ended up climbing the Macau Tower.
If you’ve been eyeing this challenge for a while, or even if you only discovered it five minutes ago and are now spiraling down the curiosity rabbit hole, I’m here to walk you through exactly what the Macau Tower Climb is like, and every practical detail you’ll want to know before booking.
Table of Contents
The Macau Tower
I’ve been to Macau twice before and always saw the tower from the bus window, but I never actually bothered to visit. Because a tower is just a tower, right?
Well, the Macau Tower stands at 338 meters, making it one of the tallest telecommunication towers in Asia. It was opened in 2001 and was inspired by the Sky Tower in Auckland, both built by the same New Zealand engineering team.
Stanley Ho, Macau’s casino tycoon, visited Auckland one day and decided Macau needed its own statement tower. And the rest, as the saying goes, was history.
But the real surprise is that Macau Tower is basically an entertainment complex. Inside, you’ll find restaurants, shops, theatres, and that famous 360° revolving buffet.
Then, you get to the 61st floor and realize this place is basically the global headquarters of crazy adventures (or bad decisions, depending on which side of the fence you’re on).
Activities Offered at Macau Tower Skypark
1. Bungy Jump
The most famous of them all, the world’s highest commercial bungee jump off a building stands at 233 meters. It’s from here that AJ Hackett once set a Guinness World Record, and countless visitors have taken the plunge, freefalling with a mix of terror and joy before the cord kinks them back up.
- Best for: adrenaline junkies
- Can be done solo or tandem with a friend
2. Skyjump
If the full bungy jump sounds too intense but you still want a thrill, Skyjump is like a movie stunt ride. You’ll step off the edge and glide down the tower on a wire cable, in a more controlled but still fast descent. You’ll go down feet first and there will be no freefall or rebound like in the classic bungy.
- Great for: first-time jumpers or families
- Also available in single and tandem versions
3. Skywalk
Not all Skypark experiences involve falling! Skywalk lets you walk around the outside perimeter of the tower, high above the city with no railings, and nothing but air and your harness between you and the skyline.
- Best for: stunning photos and panoramic views
- Can be done in a small group, even with children as young as 3 years old!
4. Observation Deck
The observation deck sits at 223 meters, offering sweeping views of the city, the bridges, and even parts of Hong Kong and Zhuhai on a clear day.
- You’ll get see-through glass floor panels.
- Great for anyone who wants the high-altitude thrill without committing to a harness.
- Most Skypark activities include free access to the deck, so you don’t have to buy a separate ticket. It’s worth spending at least 20–30 minutes here before or after your activity.
5. Tower Climb
This is where you physically climb up the tower’s mast to the summit at 338 meters above ground. It’s one of Skypark’s most unique and most challenging offerings — definitely harder than Skywalk but insanely rewarding once you reach the top.
- Perfect for those looking for something totally unique.
- You can climb alone or with a maximum of 3 other participants.
- Requires a moderate level of fitness and determination.
Why I Decided to Do the Macau Tower Climb
Macau Tower is famous for its bungy jump, being the world’s highest commercial jump from a building, but not many people know you can actually climb up the structure itself.
I’m terrified of heights, but if there’s one thing that scares me even more, it’s the feeling of dropping into a freefall. So the bungy was immediately off the table.
The tower climb, on the other hand, involved zero jumping or falling. It’s a guided ascent on solid steel ladders, which sounded far more doable (although in hindsight, that confidence was perhaps a bit premature).
Plus, it’s the only tower in the world you can climb on the outside and also the highest public urban climb on the planet.
As someone who’s always hunting for something unusual to add to my bucket list, this one naturally won me over.
So I decided to try my luck and ask if they could offer a discounted rate in exchange for videos and a blog post about the climb. Now, I’m no celebrity, and not even close to being an influencer, so I wasn’t expecting a favorable reply. But to my surprise, they agreed and offered me a media rate.
With that, I shuffled my travel plans to include Macau, which also doubled as a visa run during my month-plus journey around China. And just to be clear, although this experience was partially sponsored, everything I’m sharing here is my honest take.
My Tower Climb Experience
There’s only one tower-climb session per day, which happens at 3 pm. I arrived around 2 after crossing the border at Zhuhai and taking a bus straight to the tower. With about an hour to spare, I wandered outside to snap some photos, trying not to hyperventilate while staring up at the skyscraper looming above me.
When it was time, I went to meet the people I was corresponding with and was given a brief tour of the tower. We took the elevator up to the 61st floor. It was sleek and glassy, moving quickly but smoothly, offering a glimpse of the city below as we ascended.
At the top, I met the guides and staff who would accompany me. The team included two guides (one to lead the climb, one at the rear) and a marketing staff member who was there specially to help me document the climb with photos and videos.
I had initially planned to use my Insta360 for this climb, but unfortunately it met an untimely death when it fell out of my hands into the ravines in Zhangjiajie two weeks prior. So, I was left with only my phone.
After registration and signing of the indemnity form, I got geared up. Although it was November, the weather felt warm, so I only wore a long-sleeved t-shirt with a thin windbreaker in my bag. But the guides wisely insisted that I borrow their thicker jacket because the wind at the top can be piercing.
Along with the jacket, I was strapped into a harness, helmet, carabiners, and gloves. I had my phone and country flag with me. They were secured in special casings attached to my harness to prevent accidental drops, which, based on my track record, was extremely likely. And then, off we went.
What most people don’t realize is that the climb actually starts indoors in a narrow, enclosed vertical tunnel. The outdoor portion you normally see on social media is only half of the climb.
Before we began, the guides gave a demo on the techniques and safety features. The indoor section climbs section by section, each around 3-4 meters high, separated by iron mesh landings, where you switch sides to continue.
It was far more physically demanding than I expected. Sure, I love to walk long distances and occasionally hike. In fact, on this same trip, I had done a multiday hike at the Tiger Leaping Gorge in Shangri-La, and climbed the infamous 999 steps at Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie. But climbing vertical ladders is a whole other ballgame.
It quickly became obvious that I had never trained my arms much. While you’re supposed to let your legs do most of the work, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to use your arms at all. You still need them to keep yourself upright and secure, and that requires some strength, which I clearly didn’t have.
Nonetheless, the indoor climb is a good warmup to prepare you for what’s coming up next. Enclosed spaces reduce the fear factor since you can’t really see how high up you are. But on the flip side, it can feel a little stuffy and claustrophobic in there, especially with a harness, jacket, and gloves on. Thankfully, some landings let you step outside briefly for fresh air.
By the time I reached the outdoor section, I was very nearly spent. The guides had prepared an energy drink for me, which helped a little, but the next challenge was a 20ish-meter vertical ladder without breaks — a single stretch where you’re fully exposed to the open air.
I could lean back and rest on my harness if I was tired, but my trust issues had already kicked in and despite the guides’ words of encouragement, I simply couldn’t bring myself to let go of the ladder. Instead, I was practically hugging it like a long-lost lover, moving inch by inch through the entire climb.
Of course, all that did was tire myself even more because it took longer than necessary and I wasn’t giving my arms and legs any break at all. But I have to thank my guides for having the patience of a saint. I was also lucky to have the tower to myself that day. On a typical day, they allow up to four climbers, and I would absolutely have been the one holding everyone up.
Finally, I reached a landing that signaled the start of the final stretch: the top mast. Unlike the ladders before, this portion had no side rails; the rungs were narrower, and I could feel the mast swaying slightly in the wind.
Each step demanded intense focus, which was made all the more difficult when you were also battling exhaustion, fear, and vertigo simultaneously. To top it off, we were racing against the clock as we had to make it back before dark. The reduced visibility could pose a risk for climbers.
The guides tried to make me feel better by saying that I didn’t have to push myself further and that reaching this level was good enough as not many people had made it this far. I think they were subtly telling me to call it quits, but my other toxic trait is I’m too stubborn for my own good. In fact, the easiest way to get me to do something is to tell me I couldn’t or shouldn’t do it.
This activity was advertised as requiring a moderate level of fitness and determination. Well, I may not have met the required fitness level, but determination? That, I have in buckets.
So, I continued on like a human caterpillar inching upward, one rung at a time.
Step by excruciating step, I finally made it to the top platform, a tiny perch just big enough to stand on.
There, I finally got to fly my flag, take some photos, and just breathe. The sky wasn’t clear enough to see Hong Kong or Mainland China that day, but we did get to enjoy sunset.
The descent was a little embarrassing though. Since we were pressed for time and I’d been so slow, the guides decided to use a pulley-assisted rappel system, essentially the same method they’d use in a rescue situation. They assured me I wasn’t the first climber to take the “easy” way down. Despite my embarrassment, I have to admit it was a huge relief to my suffering limbs.
What to Wear for the Macau Tower Climb
For the Macau Tower Climb, you’ll be given a full safety setup, including a helmet, harness, gloves, and clips, but the clothing part is on you, and dressing right makes the climb much smoother and a lot less stressful.
Go with sportswear or anything you’d normally wear for a light hike — something breathable that lets you stretch, pull yourself up, and squat without worrying about seams giving up on you.
Closed sport shoes with good grip are non-negotiable; the guides will check, and they won’t let you climb in loose or unsuitable footwear because the metal platforms and ladders need steady footing.
I’d skip skirts, dresses, or anything flowy since you’ll be harnessed in from multiple angles and moving through narrow spaces. Also, it can get super windy up there. I went in late November and thought it was going to be as warm as it was on the ground, but I was wrong. They let me borrow a thicker jacket, but I was still shivering in the strong wind.
If you have long hair, tie it up so it doesn’t get caught in the gear or whip around in the wind once you reach the outdoor section.
Sunglasses help a lot, especially on sunny days. They make the climb more comfortable under the glare and make your photos look a lot more elevated at the top. And don’t forget sunscreen; once you’re outdoors, you’re fully exposed to the sun with nowhere to hide, so a good layer before you start will save you from walking away with a surprise sunburn.
Things You Need to Know Before You Book
- The maximum weight for the climb is 135kg, per person.
- While there’s no minimum weight or age (they have accommodated children as young as 10 years old for this activity), tower climbers need to be able to fit into the harnesses to participate.
- For participants below 18 years old, written parental consent is required.
- A moderate level of fitness is required for the climb.
- Climber’s should allocate a minimum of 3 hours to complete this activity.
- To avoid putting climbers at risk on the tower mast, climbers need to achieve certain milestones within a set period of time, failing which, the lead guide may decide to abort the climb.
- A climb can also be aborted due to other circumstances that are deemed risky to the climbers and/or guides.
- Should a climb be aborted due to weather, the company will offer a free Skywalk to the participant(s).
- All cancellation requests must be made 48 hours in advance.
How to Book
While it’s possible to walk in, slots can fill up especially during weekends and holidays, and you risk getting turned away or pushed to a later time. Pre-booking saves you that headache.
My go-to platform for booking tours and activities is Klook. This is honestly one of the easiest methods. It lists all Macau Tower activities with real-time availability. You can:
- Choose your time slot
- See what’s included (some packages bundle photos/videos)
- Pay upfront and show your booking on your phone
They also run occasional discounts or cashback promos, so it’s worth checking out.
Or, if you’re looking to book more than one activity, check out Skypark Macau official website, where they have special combos like:
- Adrenaline Warrior — Bungy Jump + Skyjump
- Energy Warrior — Bungy Jump + Tower Climb
- Ultimate Warrior — Bungy Jump + Skyjump + Skywalk
They offer special discounts from time to time, so definitely don’t miss those. All tickets are inclusive of the Macau Tower admission fee, an exclusive T-shirt, an e-certificate, and Skypark international membership, which entitles you to 20% discount worldwide. Some packages also include HD photos and videos.
Additional Tips
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your specified activity starting time, as the registration process will take approximately 30 minutes.
- If you arrive even earlier, you can make the most of the extra time by enjoying the observation deck, getting fitted at a comfortable pace, relaxing, or doing a few warm-ups without feeling rushed.
- Make sure you have eaten a proper meal before the climb. It actually takes a lot of energy, and between the physical effort and the fear, it’s easy to feel light-headed. At the same time, don’t eat anything too heavy or too close to climb time either — the last thing you want is nausea halfway up the tower.
- Having a small snack or energy bar on hand can really help.
- A 360° camera works best for this activity. You can also bring your phone, but it will need to go into the provided casing, which is then securely attached to your harness.
- If you’re visiting Macau for a few days, try to slot in the tower climb early in your trip so that if the weather doesn’t work in your favor, you’ll still have time to reschedule.
Final Thoughts
By the end of it all, I felt immensely proud of myself. Sure, I had to be “rescued” on the way down, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that I had just completed something truly unique, memorable, and challenging — another crazy experience to add to my ever-growing list.
It was the perfect way to end my year, tricking my mind into thinking that I had actually achieved something, despite all the other unfulfilled New Year goals.
If you’re looking for a challenge, something that’ll test your nerves and your determination, I’d absolutely dare you to try the Macau Tower Climb too. You won’t forget it.
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