The dramatic Ruins of St Paul’s
W hen you arrive in Macao the layers of its history are immediately visible. Cobblestone streets lead to baroque church façades; incense drifts from centuries-old Chinese temples; Cantonese and Portuguese street names perch above multi-lingual conversations. Few places embody cultural exchange as vividly as Macao – a city with more than 400 years of interaction between China and Europe behind it, and an identity that continues to evolve. This distinctive ‘East meets West’ character is the result of Macao’s unique history as a Portuguese trading post from the mid-16th century until 1999. Positioned on China’s southern coast, the city has become a gateway between East Asia and the wider world, embracing European architecture, Catholic traditions and Lusophone culture while remaining deeply rooted in Chinese beliefs, language and customs. The result is not a simple merging of influences, but a rare fusion that continues to define Macao today.
DESTINATION
Macao: Where East meets West
With a UNESCO-listed historic centre, a globally recognised gastronomic scene and a striking contrast between old and new, Macao is a destination defined by centuries of cultural exchange and lived experience
150 | ITB GLOBAL TRAVEL COLLECTION
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