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Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway
Shanghai-Hangzhou Intercity High-Speed Railway
Beijing-Tianjin Intercity High-Speed Railway
Zhengzhou-Xian High-Speed Railway
Wuhan-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway
Hainan High-Speed Railway
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Historic Centre of Macao
Designation as World Heritage
The Historic Centre of Macao refers to a collection of over twenty historical structures (see the annexed list) linked by adjoining plazas or squares in the old city of Macao. On the 29th UNESCO World Heritage Convention, 2005, it was inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage List.
The historical & cultural value of the Historic Centre of Macao has been easily recognized. According to a Chinese representative to UNESCO, it took a mere ten minutes before the Convention unanimously approved the inscription of this nominated property. The Convention’s justification for the inscription was based on Criteria ii, iii, iv and vi, all of which point to Macao’s unique significance in the exchange, and interchange, between the Western and Chinese civilizations.
History of Macao: a Legacy of East-West Encounter
The unique value of the Historic Centre of Macao lies in the history of Macao.
Over history, Macao has been an important gateway through which Western civilization entered China. In the mid-16th century, in view of the commercial needs of maritime trade, the Ming Dynasty government designated Macao as a settlement for Portuguese traders. Merchants from other nations were to settle here, too, as China still retained sovereignty over Macao. Land rents and trade taxes were levied by the Chinese government. In 1887, the Portuguese brought Macao under its jurisdiction by force, and it was not until 1999 that China resumed sovereignty over this land.
For almost three centuries that followed, until Hong Kong (also at the mouth of the Pearl River) fell to British rule in 1842, Macao assumed a unique status in the South China Sea, thanks to its strategic location. In Qing Dynasty, for instance, all foreign merchant vessels were required to anchor at Macao first and apply to customs before sailing further to Guangzhou, one of the few Chinese international trade ports. Macao became a hub in China’s maritime trade network. People of different nationalities kept coming, bringing, aside from tremendous wealth, their own cultural traditions. Foreign influences were assimilated into the life of the city, leaving their marks, both tangible and intangible, on Macao.
Historic Centre of Macao: an Exemplary Fruit of Cultural Pluralism
According to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, Macao epitomizes outstanding universal values when evaluated against its criteria for inscription. It favoured an important interchange of human values in the various fields of culture, sciences, technology, art and architecture, etc. It bears a unique testimony to the first and longest-lasting encounter between the West and China, which has proved beneficial to both parties. It represents an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble that has been the product of this encounter.
The architectural ensemble and the urban space of the Historic Centre of Macao epitomize the continued co-existence and mutual assimilation of Eastern and Western cultures. The A-Ma Temple, the temple dedicated to Matsu, the goddess of seafarers and fishermen in the folk beliefs of China’s southwest coast regions, stands just a few yards away from St. Lawrence’s Church where families of Portuguese sailors used to gather to pray and wait for their safe return. Beside the Lilau Suqre, the Portuguese residential quarters, is the Mansion of Zheng Guanying (Madarin Mansion), a prominent modern Chinese scholar. St. Joseph's Seminary, together with St. Paul’s College, was the principal base for the missionary work implemented in China. In the Front Space of Dom Pedro are both the Dom Pedro V Theatre, the Portuguese venue for public events and celebrations, and the former residence of Sir Robert Ho Tung, a modern Chinese millionaire.
The Senado Square is Macao’s urban centre where architectures of different styles, Western and Chinese, coexist harmoniously with each other: Sam Kai Vui Kun (Kuan Tai Temple), Holy House of Mercy, Lou Kau Mansion, Cathedral, Na Cha Temple, (Ruins of) St. Paul’s, etc. Successful East-West cultural pluralism is illustrated by the Historic Centre of Macao, which has been the fruit of mutual respect and tolerance between different cultures. The architectural ensemble and urban space have retained their original function, and more importantly, spirit to the present day.
List of Sites of Historic Centre of Macao
| Structure/Site | Description |
 A-Ma Temple | Already existed before the City of Macao came into being. Dedicated to Matsu, the goddess for seafarers and fishermen in the folk beliefs of China's southwest coast regions. |
 Moorish Barracks | Built in1874 as accomodation for a reinforcement force from India. Currently the headquarters of the Maritime Administration. Distinctly neo-classical architectural style with Monghul influence. |
 Lilau Square | One of the first Portuguese residential quarters in Macao. Typical Mediterranean influence and some Art Deco influence. Ground water used to be the main natural spring water source for Macao. Portuguese popular phrase: “One who drinks from Lilau never forgets Macao” |
 Mandarin's House | Characteristic of traditional Guangdong's residences. Also features a fusion of architectural influences from western cultures. Former residential compound for Zheng Guanying, a prominent modern Chinese scholar. |
 St Lawrence's Church | Today the most fashionable church in Macau. Twin towers, one of which was once an ecclesiastic prison, and a fine Chinese tile roof. |
 St. Joseph's Seminary and Church | A famous landmark that was often a subject for artists. Exceptionally fine acoustics make it an excellent venue for concerts during the annual International Music Festival. |
 St. Augustine's Square | Cobbled in black and white in the Portuguese style. Traditional lamps and barriers are nice street furniture. |
 Dom Pedro V Theatre | One of the first western-style theatres in China. Built in 1860 by local Portuguese to commemorate their reigning king, Peter V. An important landmark in the region and remains a venue for important public events and celebrations today. |
 Sir Robert Ho Tung Library | Named after its host, the influential Eurasian businessman Sir Rober Ho Tung, richest man in Hong Kong. |
 St. Augustine's Church | Initially part of a monastery founded in 1586 by Spaniards. The facade was originally of Baroque style but the existing facade is more neoclassic dating from 1814. The deceased wife of the famous one-armed Captain Antonio Albuquerque is buried inside St Augustine Church. |
 Leal Senado Building | Macao's original municipal chamber, a function it maintains to the present. Regarded as the most outstanding example of Portuguese architecture in the territory. Generally neo-classical style. |
 Senado Square | Paved in the traditional Portuguese pavement. Surrounded by multi-styled architectures. The main road of Macau's historic centre, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro passes through the square. A gathering place for public, festive events like Chinese Spring Festival, lion and dragon dances and fireworks often held at such events. |
 Sam Kai Vui Kun (Kuan Tai Temple) | The earliest local guild in Macao. Its historical importance derives from the fact that it was here that the Qing government made its announcements. Now used as Kuan Tai Temple. |
 Holy House of Mercy | Founded by the first bishop of Macau, D. Belchior Carneiro, in 1569. Macao's oldest social charity institution. Neo-classical in the overall architectural treatment, with traces of mannerist influence. Now operating as a museum represent the history of the institution and objects of religious art that illustrate the meeting of different cultures that has been brought about by the diffusion of Christianity in the region. |
 Cathedral | The mother church of the catholic Diocese of Macau. Reconstructed in 1937. Looking somewhat plain in greyish color. |
 Lou Kau Mansion | Built in 1889. Home of Lou Kau, a prominent modern Chinese merchant. A mixture of western and eastern architecture typologies. Traditional Chinese residence standing near Senado Square. Impressive wood works design. |
 St. Dominic's Church | Founded in 1587 by three Spanish Dominican priests who originally came from Acapulco in Mexico. One of the intriguing performance venues for the yearly held Macau International Music Festival (MIMF). The bell tower has been modified into a small Museum of Sacred Art, now exhibiting a collection of around 300 sacried artifacts. |
 Ruins of St. Paul's | Now popularly known as St. Paul's. The most famous landmark of Macau. |
 Na Tcha Temple | Simple, single-chamber Taoist temple. Located behind St. Paul's, serving as one of the best examples of Macao's multicultural identity. |
 Section of the Old City Walls | Part of the city’s former defensive walls. Built in the 17th century against Dutch invasion. A clear reminder of the historical military past of Macao. |
 Mount Fortress | 3-storey tower fitted with cannons on each floor. Once a principal military facility and was one of the city’s strongest defence points. |
 St. Anthony's Church | First built before 1560. One of the oldest churches in Macau The earliest headquarters for the Jesuits in the city. |
 Casa Garden | Built in 1770 , originally the residence of a wealthy Portuguese merchant, Manuel Pereira. Later rented out to the East India Company. |
 Old Protestant Cemetery | Located close to the Casa Garden. Established by the British East India Company in 1821 in Macau in response to a lack of burial sites for Protestants in the Roman Catholic Portuguese colony |
 Guia Fortress | Built in 1622-1638, at the top of Guia Hill, the highest point in Macau, overlooking the city Designed to defend Macau from attacks from the sea. Used as an observation post. Incorporating a lighthouse and a chapel. |
Macau
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