Small but perfectly-formed Macau International Airport (MIA) has just one terminal building, one runway and ten gates. Don’t be fooled though, for this bright, neat and compact airport also has thousands of tax-free treats for you to browse, from leather goods and liquor to electronics and cosmetics. And all this, mere minutes away from some of the newest and most impressive tourism and conference facilities in Asia.

Opened in 1995, MIA now deals with just over four million passengers per year. Situated in the east of Taipa Island, it is Macau’s only airport. It acts both as a hub for passengers heading to and from mainland China and Southeast Asia, and as a transfer point for those travelling between mainland China and Taiwan. In terms of immigration and customs, Macau (like Hong Kong) operates separately to mainland China, so all international travellers will need to go through immigration and customs inspections. See; Macau Duty Free Allowances

Macau is home to its own Grand Prix, which celebrates its 60th birthday in 2013. Macau International Airport is almost a tourist attraction in it own right, too, with evocative, scenic imagery taking up half of the departure lounge’s 12m high glass walls; displays of classic Grand Prix race vehicles; and art exhibitions from celebrated contemporary artists like Tan Jianhua.

If you’re more into Cartier than culture, or Rolex than racing, MIA won’t let you down with its cluster of high-class concessions. With stand-alone retailers including Bally, Cartier, Dior and Salvatore Ferragamo, your pre-flight hour will be spent in good company.

King Power Duty Free is located in Departures. It features everything from local crafts and souvenirs to all the big brand names you know and love • especially at duty-free prices. The tobacco products you buy from Marlboro, Yuxi, Dunhill and Henry Winterman might be destined to go up in smoke • that doesn’t mean any more of your cash than is absolutely necessary has to!

Alcohol wise, select from global big-hitters like Courvoisier, Hennessy or Martell brandy, or try a bottle of Jian Nan Chun or Jiugui Chinese wine. The usual suspects from Grey Goose Vodka to Chivas Regal or Ballantine’s Whisky are always on tap, too. If heading off for a celebratory trip, pop a bottle of Dom Perignon, Krug, Moet & Chandon or Piper Heidsieck into your case, too.

Put your best face forwards with King Power’s cosmetics ranges and exclusive-to-travel gift sets from Jurlique, Revlon, Anna Sui, Chanel and Clinique. There are also dedicated stores from Shiseido and Issey Miyaki. For fragrances and eau de colognes, enjoy airport and in-flight exclusives from Amala, Aramis, Elizabeth Arden, Kenzo and Guerlain.

Other tax-free retailers within MIA are great places to seek out top quality craftsmanship at attractive prices, from the dazzling costume jewellery of Agatha and Swarovski to the anti-dazzle sunglasses of Ray Ban, Ralph Lauren, Emporio Armani and Gucci.

Alternatively, try the spell-binding Cartier shop for hand-bags, lighters and glittering watches. Other prestigious watch designers available at Macau International Airport include those of leading lights Antares, Calvin Klein, Charles Jourdan, Tissot and Jacques Farel.

With iconic style houses like Burberry, Salvatore Ferragamo, MCM and Dunhill, MIA is the perfect place to invest in women’s and men’s fashions, shoes, bags and sophisticated accessories. The King Power Boutique also stocks a great range of high quality leather goods and gifts.

If your appetite for shopping is replaced by one for food, pop into Airside Fastfood for a snack, or the Macau Restaurant for more substantial Western and Oriental dishes.

Macau International Airport proves that size really isn’t important, and that quality prevails over quantity every time. The tax-free price-tag is simply the cherry on top of its cake.