MACAO, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Standing inside Macao's Mandarin's House, American tourist Shawn listened carefully as a guide recounted the history of the city's largest traditional residential compound.
During his week-long stay, he found a city that offered more than he expected. "It's clean, safe, beautiful and unique. You can see the combination of Eastern and Western cultures. The people are friendly, and the food is great."
These are also the qualities that the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) hopes to present to the wider world.
Beginning Wednesday, the SAR is hosting the 13th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Ministerial Meeting, offering delegates a closer look at a city where cultural heritage, leisure and new opportunities come together.
CULTURAL CROSSROADS
Situated at the crossroads of maritime trade routes along China's southern coast, Macao developed into a major trade port under Portuguese occupation for centuries before returning to the motherland on Dec. 20, 1999, when the Macao SAR was established.
"For more than 400 years, Macao has been a meeting point of Chinese and Western cultures," said O Lam, secretary for social affairs and culture of the Macao SAR government. "Despite the passage of time, it remains a vivid example of cultural exchange and mutual learning between East and West."
The Historic Center of Macao, a UNESCO World Heritage site comprising 22 historic landmarks and eight public squares, stands as a compelling testament to that legacy. Within its boundaries are both the A-Ma Temple, dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, and the iconic Ruins of St. Paul's, once among the largest Catholic churches in the Far East.
Mandarin's House, the former residence of a prominent Chinese historical figure, is another highlight of the heritage site. Its oyster-shell windows, Western-style columns, and decorative carvings showcase a distinctive blend of architectural influences.
"It is a perfect microcosm of Macao's cultural integration," said Wu Zhiliang, president of the Federation of Associations of Cultural Sectors of Macao.
CITY OF EXPERIENCES
For Iris Lan, a first-time visitor from Shanghai, one of the highlights of her trip was the Macao Museum. "The exhibition experience was excellent," she said. "The layout was thoughtfully designed and made the exhibition easy to navigate."
Describing Macao as welcoming and tourist-friendly, Lan said the Macao Peninsula felt more historical and cultural, while Taipa was more modern and vibrant.
The contrast reflects the diversity of experiences that Macao offers visitors. In recent years, the SAR has promoted a "tourism+" approach, integrating tourism with culture, sports, conventions, gastronomy, and performing arts to broaden its appeal.
Flagship events such as the Macao Grand Prix, the Macao International Parade, and the Macao International Music Festival continue to draw global attention.
Food is another defining feature of Macao. Over the centuries, the city has blended culinary traditions from different cultures, giving rise to Macanese cuisine, often regarded as one of the world's earliest fusion cuisines. In 2017, Macao was named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
These diverse tourism offerings continue to draw visitors from around the world. The city recorded more than 40 million inbound visitor arrivals in 2025, up 14.7 percent year on year, while international arrivals rose 13.7 percent to nearly 2.8 million, according to official data.
GATEWAY TO THE GBA
Today, for many visitors, a trip to Macao no longer ends at the city limits. Improved connectivity has made multi-destination travel across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) easier than ever.
For tour guide Shi from Changde, Hunan Province in central China, such itineraries have become increasingly common. During a six-day trip, the group he leads will visit five GBA cities -- Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macao, Zhuhai and Guangzhou.
Cross-city travel within the GBA is much smoother than before, Shi said. "We just came from Hong Kong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. It used to take more than an hour by ferry, but now the drive takes only about 30 minutes."
"A range of measures introduced in recent years has made traveling to Macao easier and more convenient, helping strengthen tourism exchanges and regional integration," said Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao Government Tourism Office.
The spirit of regional connectivity is also reflected in the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, which runs through Sunday.
Bringing together tourism officials and industry representatives from across the Asia-Pacific, the meeting aims to foster closer communication and cooperation to support the future development of the region's tourism industry.
Pansy Ho Chiu-king, chairperson of the Global Tourism Economy Research Center, said Macao will continue to leverage its unique strengths and international connections, helping the world better understand the GBA and share in the opportunities created by China's development. ■
