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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.

A western-style church we encountered at St. Lawrence's Church [Yang Dan/China.org.cn]

The unique assimilation of western and eastern cultures in Macao has also inspired unique architecture. It is interesting to see Chinese cultural elements carved on Western churches. You can find the oldest European theatre in Asia, as well as the first western lighthouse, colonial palaces and Chinese courtyards, just to name a few.

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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