Macao, a lucrative port of strategic importance in the development of international trade, was under Portuguese administration from the mid-16th century until 1999, when it came under Chinese sovereignty. With its historic street, residential, religious and public Portuguese and Chinese buildings, the historic centre of Macao provides a unique testimony to the meeting of aesthetic, cultural, architectural and technological influences from East and West. The site also contains a fortress and a lighthouse, the oldest in China. It bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West, based on the vibrancy of international trade.
Criteria for inclusion as a World Heritage Site
| # | ||
|---|---|---|
| ii | To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design. | All |
| iii | To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared. | All |
| iv | To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history. | All |
| vi | To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria). | All |
Nearby
Sites
| Name | Since | Distance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong Kowloon en zh | 66.5km | site_izi | |||
| Authentic Hong Kong Shopping en zh | 66.5km | site_izi | |||
| Hong Kong Central en zh | 65.1km | site_izi | |||
| The HSBC Building’s Feng Shui Cannons | 2019 | 64.9km | site_ao | ||
| The Old Protestant Cemetery of Macau | 2018 | 1km | site_ao | ||
| Un Chau Estate Flower Tunnel | 2018 | 65.7km | site_ao | ||
| Window of the World | 2017 | 59km | site_ao | ||
| A Sky Full of Gods and Buddhas | 2017 | 61.9km | site_ao | ||
| The Monster Building | 2018 | 70.3km | site_ao | ||
| General Post Office | 64.9km | site_brutalism | |||
| Chinese University of Hong Kong | 1964 | 73.6km | site_brutalism | ||
| Escola Portuguesa Macau | 0.7km | site_brutalism | |||
| St Stephen’s College, Special Room Block | 70km | site_brutalism | |||
| World Coins By Jeff Starck , Coin World Published: Dec 14, 2019, 9 AM China has… | 2019 | 78.2km | post |
About the source: UNESCO
Within UNESCO's broad remit, this specialised agency of the UN works towards international cooperation agreements to secure the world's cultural and natural heritage, designating venues of exceptional value as World Heritage Sites.