Historic Center of Macao

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

As a lucrative port of strategic importance in the development of international trade, the city was under Portuguese administration from the mid-16th century until 1999, when it came under Chinese sovereignty.

Macao’s historic streets boast residential, religious and public Portuguese and Chinese buildings. The historic center provides a unique look into the aesthetic, cultural, architectural and technological influences from East and West. The site also contains a fortress and a lighthouse, the oldest in China.

Since 2005, Macao has been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage.