A lively strip in the Cotai area of Macau, the Cotai Strip is known for its glitzy casinos, mega resorts and buzzing entertainment venues. Imitating the strip in Las Vegas, the Cotai Strip boasts the biggest concentration of gambling in the world. Like Las Vegas, the Cotai Strip is stretched across a single street, called Estrada do Istomo. Here visitors will find towering skyscrapers on either side, where visitors can hop between casinos, take in a live show and find an endless array of entertainment options.
Located on the Cotai Strip, the Venetian casino is the biggest in the world and is the centrepiece of the area, boasting a staggering amount of roulette wheels, slots and blackjack tables. Nestled amongst 3,000 guest suites, the Venetian’s concept is Venice meets China, where guests can enjoy indoor gondola rides and visit one of the biggest shopping malls in Macau and a 15,000 seat sports arena. Those looking for a thrill can watch one of Macau’s most famous live shows, the House of Dancing Water, a synchronised swimming performance with an Evil Knievel-inspired twist, held at the expansive City of Dreams casino. A go-kart track is located at the southern end of Cotai, and the Macau Dome is an international standard bowling alley with special lanes for children. A variety of dining options is available on the Cotai Strip, from upscale Michelin star restaurants to a variety of budget-friendly food courts.
The Cotai Strip is easily accessed by major points in Macau. The Taipa Ferry Terminal is close to Cotai, with shuttles whisking travellers directly to the Venetian. From the airport, buses stop near the Venetian, while taxis are also readily available throughout the area.
While Cotai is named after the combination of the two islands it connects, Coloane and Taipa, the Cotai Strip was a term coined by the American Las Vegas Sands Corporation. The name was created with the vision to develop a similar space to the Vegas Strip with a strip of hotel-casinos, only on a smaller scale.