One of the two Special Administrative Regions of China is the thriving region of Macau. Considered to be one the world’s wealthiest and developed cities in the world, Macau is known for its many five star casinos, rich and diverse heritage, and booming tourism industry. Macau is also home to several luxury hotels and resorts, such as Starworld Macau Hotel, a stylish Macau hotel.
Much like many of the other popular Chinese cities, Macau is also steeped in rich culture. The history of Macau dates back to the year 200BC to the era of the Qin Dynasty. Since then the city went through many other dynasty changes, and was ultimately made a colony of Portugal in the 16th Century. The city gained independence from Portuguese rule in 1974, and has been under the control of China ever since. With so many different chapters and eras in its history, Macau become home to a rich and vibrant culture which is sure intrigue any visitor.
The culture of Macau is regarded as being a fine fusion of both Chinese and Portuguese cultures. The cultural fusion is most evident when it comes to the people’s beliefs, as you will find that most of the traditions of the people are influences by both Buddhism and Catholicism. A walk around the city will make this even more evident as the city is home to many beautiful Buddhist and Taoist temples as well as many old Catholic churches which contain strong Portuguese architectural influences. This cultural fusion is also prevalent in language, as many people in Macau speak Portuguese as well. Fusion dishes, combining traditional Chinese cuisine with Portuguese cuisine, are also very common in Macau. Yet there are many other aspects of Macau’s culture that boast traditional oriental culture, such as in the fields of music and literature. Macau is popular for hosting many musical festivals as well as literary festivals, which reveal the rich oriental traditions of Macau. Cantonese opera, traditional medicine, and arts also some aspects of Macau which are steeped in culture.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+