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Historic Centre of Macau

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Historic Centre of MacauK.Y.K.Z.K. · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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The Historic Centre of Macau is a collection of over twenty locations that show the blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures in Macau, a former Portuguese colony. It includes urban squares, streetscapes, churches, and temples. In 2005 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a unique testimony to the meeting of Eastern and Western influences.

Don't miss

  • Guia Fortress, Guia Chapel, and Guia Lighthouse
  • Ruins of St. Paul's
  • Dom Pedro V Theatre

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Historic Centre of Macau

You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.

Getting there

Know before you go

  • The site is made up of two separate core zones on the Macau peninsula, each surrounded by a buffer zone.
  • Some areas near Guia Lighthouse have had controversies over building heights affecting views of the heritage site.

A bit of history

The site bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West, based on the vibrancy of international trade.

Common questions

How many locations are in the Historic Centre of Macau?

It includes over twenty locations, such as squares, streetscapes, churches, and temples.

When was it added to the UNESCO World Heritage List?

It was inscribed in 2005, becoming the 31st World Heritage Site in China.

What makes this site unique?

It provides a unique testimony to the meeting of aesthetic, cultural, architectural, and technological influences from East and West.

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