My impression of Macao
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Two weeks before the 10th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland on December 20, 2009, I had the chance to visit the city with five other journalists from China.org.cn.
After a four-day stay there, I couldn't help but think of how the city was unlike what I had expected. Previously, when the word "Macao" popped up, I only thought of it as a tiny city that was associated with gambling. But when I actually had the chance to visit the island, I found myself totally wrong – Macao is so much more than gambling.
If you're not in a hurry, save three or four days for Macao. Instead of taking a taxi, walk and explore the island. You might get lost in the city's narrow, intertwined streets, but you'll make unexpected discoveries.
A crossroads where East meets West
Throughout history, Macao has been an important gateway where western civilization has entered China. For hundreds of years, this piece of land has nurtured a symbiosis of cultural exchange, shaping the unique identity of Macao.
Walking around the Historic Center of Macao, a historic settlement which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2005, you'll find a perfect mix of eastern and western cultures.
Dozens of churches and temples, all located within the city's 29.2 square kilometers, serve as a strong reflection of Macao's cultural pluralism. Within a short distance of each other, you can find Taoist temples from the Ming Dynasty and baroque churches from the 18th century.
These religious establishments, some of which date back 200-300 years ago, are still in service for believers of different religions.
We were lucky enough to encounter two western-style weddings at St. Lawrence's Church, one of the three oldest churches in Macao that was built in the mid-16th century. Listening to the priest's blessings, the accompanying choir and the vows of the bride and the groom, we were fully emerged in the sacredness of love.
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A western-style church we encountered at St. Lawrence's Church [Yang Dan/China.org.cn] |
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The magnificent stone facade of Macao's greatest church St Paul's. The church was destroyed in a fire in 1835. You can find a perfix mix of Eastern and Western elements in this structure. [Yang Dan/China.org.cn] |
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