Macao's historic center celebrates world heritage anniversary

MACAO — China's Macao Special Administrative Region began a series of activities on Tuesday to mark the 20th anniversary of the Historic Center of Macao being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Designated on July 15, 2005, at the 29th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Durban, South Africa, the district embodies over four centuries of maritime history and cultural fusion.

From the Guia Fortress to the A-Ma Temple, the Historic Center of Macao spans 22 landmarks and eight plazas — an enduring tapestry of East-West exchange.

The Ruins of St. Paul's vividly represent the heart of the legacy. Erected in the early 1600s, the monument resembles a traditional Chinese paifang (memorial gateway) while bearing Western motifs.

"You can see the blend of the East and the West," says Ung Vai Meng, a guest professor at the Macao University of Science and Technology. "The way the gray bricks are embedded in rammed earth walls reflects Chinese craftsmanship merged with European structural ideas," he says.

The Ruins of St. Paul's was originally part of St. Paul's College, which at that time drew inspiration from European universities and trained scholars to carry the Chinese language and philosophy to Europe while introducing Western science and culture to China.

"It was a two-way bridge of enlightenment," says Wu Zhiliang, president of the Macao Federation of Cultural Circles. Their influence went beyond theology — it reached education and cultural identity, he adds.

Another pillar of the historic center is the former residence of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) reformist Zheng Guanying, known as the Mandarin's House. Nestled in the southwest of the old town, it remains Macao's largest traditional residential compound. "Here, we feel Lingnan culture firsthand," Ung says. "Oyster-shell windows speak to southern Chinese traditions, while Western columns and decorative carvings hint at global influence."

Within those walls, Zheng penned Words of Warning in Times of Prosperity, an urgent call for political and economic reform at that time. "He shifted from a traditional gentry to an advocate of modernization in this place," Wu says, noting that "his thinking profoundly influenced a generation".

Built in the 1800s and opened to the public in 1958, the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library houses over 20,000 classical volumes. Towering ancient trees and the rockery fountain complement each other, cloaking this historic building in a veil of nature. Tang Mei Lin, chief of the department of public library management, the Macao SAR government's Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), says that the library is not only a place for reading and studying but also a popular spot where many locals come to unwind.

"We offer unique activities, such as a one-day librarian experience and hands-on workshops in ancient book restoration," Tang says, noting that it's a great example of successful revitalization.

In 2022, the Macao World Heritage Monitoring Centre was established, equipping the city with over 170 environmental sensors. Ho Cheok Fong, an official of the department of cultural heritage under the IC, says, "Our teams can conduct real-time checks using mobile apps and analyze data through a centralized platform."

Revitalization has become a hallmark of Macao's heritage approach. Events like the 2025 Macao International Parade in March — launched from the Ruins of St. Paul's — transformed the old streets into vibrant stages. With performers from 15 countries and regions joining local troupes, the event animated cultural dialogues.

"The parade is more than a spectacle," says Leong Wai Man, head of the IC, adding that "it creates real connections between local, national and global cultures".

Dale Page, a tourist from the United Kingdom, said at the Mandarin's House that "it's nice to see a city keeping its old culture and old buildings alive".

Another visitor from the Chinese mainland, Xiao Hui, reflects: "This architectural legacy isn't just Macao's treasure but a gift to world heritage."

Data shows that as of 11 am on July 8, the number of visitor arrivals in Macao this year surpassed 20 million — 26 days earlier than last year. The Macao SAR government's tourism office says that with the summer holiday underway, a variety of events and performances will be held to attract more visitors.

Xinhua