A journey through time: a guide to exploring the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Macao

Macao’s first settlers included fishermen from Fujian and farmers from Guangdong, drawn here in the 1300s by the location. Macao (then known as Ou Mun, or “trading gate”) is at the mouth of the Pearl River, and its proximity to Guangzhou, then one of the busiest destinations on the Silk Route, added extra appeal. A reminder of this era is A-Má Temple, parts of which date back to 1488. With deities and pavilions dedicated to various aspects of Chinese culture – including Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism – it’s a beautiful nod to the diversity of Macao’s first settlers.

The Portuguese arrived in Macao in the 1500s, transforming it into a trading hub while also making their mark on its layout. Their architectural accomplishments include the banyan tree-filled Lilau Square. One of the city’s first plazas, it features an ornate fountain built so that locals could quench their thirst with spring water. Macao’s Rua Central became a bustling commercial hub for the Portuguese, and nearby landmarks include the neo-classical Dom Pedro V Theatre. Named after Portuguese monarch Dom Pedro V, it was the first Western-style theatre in China. Also worth visiting is the Building of the Municipal Affairs Bureau (Former Leal Senado Building). Notable features include its gardens (this is where you’ll find statues of several Portuguese writers) and its grand staircase, lined with Portuguese azulejo tiles. Just as beautiful is Macao’s St Lawrence’s Church, built by Jesuits in the 1500s. Families of sailors once gathered here to pray for the safe return of loved ones. It’s a beautiful example of neo-classical architecture, and highlights include its vaulted arches and ornamental pillars.

In the 1800s Macao’s status as a trading port diminished somewhat due to the growing influence of the British, although architecture from this period still reflects Macao’s wonderful diversity. Take the lemon-yellow Former Moorish Barracks, a structure designed by an Italian architect and built to house Indian soldiers. Equally grand is the Mandarin’s House, the former compound-style home of Chinese writer Zheng Guanying. Today, Guanying’s works can be found at the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, once the home of Dona Carolina Cunha, who moved here after the death of her husband, Governor Pedro Alexandrino da Cunha. In 1918 Hong Kong businessman Sir Robert Ho Tung purchased the building, which is now a public library. Famous for its tiered arches, it’s filled with priceless antiques, many of which are in its Chinese Ancient Books Chamber.

By the 1900s, Hong Kong’s dominance as a centre of trade prompted many traders to leave Macao, although its architecture from this period is no less stunning. The Company of Jesus Square, a fusion of Western and Eastern design principles, is surrounded by some of Macao’s most recognisable structures, including the Ruins of St. Paul’s. Built as a nod to the cultural exchanges between China and the West, this small, cobbled square is a popular meeting spot. The 1900s were a turbulent time in Macao – during WWII, it was a refuge for Chinese and Europeans – and its skyline continued to transform. Modernist marvels built during this time include the Rainha D Leonor building, Macao’s first skyscraper, and the Hotel Lisboa, designed by Hong Kong Eurasian architect Eric Cumine.

One of the best ways to experience Macao is through its food, and one of its most famous delicacies include egg tarts. Often regarded as a Portuguese delicacy, they were actually introduced by English pastry pioneer Andrew Stow, who moved to Macao in 1979. He opened his first bakery, Lord Stow’s, in 1989, and the most popular items on the menu were the egg tarts he’d learned to bake during a stint as a chef at Macao’s Hyatt Regency Hotel. The rest, as they say, is history. Other dishes to try include galinha à Africana – chicken coated with peanuts and paprika. The dish was invented in the 1940s by local chef Americo Angelo, whose inspiration was the dishes he’d discovered during visits to Africa’s Portuguese colonies. For a sugar fix, it’s got to be one of Macao’s almond cookies, famous for their ornate designs, made using cookie cutters.

It’s not just the food and the architecture which have put the destination on the map, but a packed calendar of events. January is when Macao’s Chinese New Year celebrations take place (highlights include the dragon dances and ornate floats). Visit in  summer to catch the Lotus Flower Festival, when workshops, presentations and tours honour this aquatic plant. One of Macao’s most popular annual events is the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest. During this multi-day extravaganza – usually held in September or October – teams from around the world compete to stage the most spectacular pyrotechnic displays. Year-round, you can visit Macao’s Tou Tei temples to experience the Feast of the God Tou Tei.