Tourists visit the Ruins of St. Paul's in south China's Macao, Dec. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Fang Fan, a resident of Guangzhou, had a clear goal for her recent trip to Macao: to enjoy a front-row seat at a performance by U.S. musical icon Herbie Hancock.

For showgoers like Fang, Macao -- just a two-hour drive south of Guangzhou -- has emerged as a vibrant destination where star-chasing dreams can come true. With an expanding array of high-quality performances and easier access to tickets compared to mainland metropolises, the city is rapidly growing in cultural appeal.

As a major trade port under Portuguese occupation for centuries, Macao returned to the motherland, China, on Dec. 20, 1999, when the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) was established.

Over the past 25 years, Macao has transformed into a multifaceted hub, evolving beyond its moniker as the "Las Vegas of the East." It now seeks to establish itself as a global center for tourism and leisure, while also diversifying into industries such as culture and sport.

City of performing arts

Years ago, Macao's cultural landscape was vastly different. Few people considered traveling there for live concerts. Wu Zhiliang, president of the Board of Directors of the Macao Foundation and a resident of the city for nearly 40 years, recalled a time when even free performances failed to draw local audiences.

Since its return to the motherland, however, Macao has developed into a destination capable of attracting world-class artists such as Spanish tenor Placido Domingo and Herbie Hancock.

This transformation has been fueled by the SAR's growing prosperity under the "one country, two systems" policy -- a unique arrangement that allows it to maintain its capitalist system and way of life within socialist China. By 2023, Macao's per capita GDP had more than quadrupled compared to 1999, reaching nearly 70,000 U.S. dollars.

Modern venues like the Macao Cultural Center have played a pivotal role in hosting performances, while the SAR has also leveraged its rich cultural heritage. In October 2024, renowned Chinese-American pipa virtuoso Wu Man performed at the Dom Pedro V Theater, the first Western-style theater built in China in 1860.

"The historic venue blends beautifully with the pipa, a traditional Chinese instrument," Wu Man told Xinhua. "The atmosphere was excellent, and I could feel the audience's enthusiasm for the captivating sounds and melodies."

Major entertainment companies are also recognizing Macao's potential. On Dec. 7, 2024, the Galaxy Arena hosted the iQIYI Scream Night, a star-studded event celebrating top entertainment achievements. This marked the second consecutive year the leading online entertainment platform chose Macao for its annual extravaganza. According to iQIYI, the event drew hundreds of industry stars, thousands of live spectators, and hundreds of millions of online viewers.

The city's growing reputation as a cultural hub is evident in its statistics. The SAR's 2023 Yearbook of Statistics reported over 55,000 public performances and cultural exhibitions held that year, a significant increase from approximately 38,000 in 2013.

Generation Z artist Kun Wangtou, an emerging figure in the local art scene, said exhibitions are now a constant presence in the city.

Despite his youth, Kun's reputation has kept him busy traveling between Macao and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Zhuhai. His works are currently being showcased in both locations, where he often provides personal introductions for visitors.

Kun, who initially worked as a photographer after earning his bachelor's degree in Boston, decided to return to his hometown to focus on his art. "I am deeply indebted to my hometown for the unwavering support it has given me," he said.

Appeal of higher learning

Yanick De Almeida, a freshman at the University of Macao (UM), chose this city for its reputation as a calm and secure place to live. When the young Angolan arrived, he was pleasantly surprised by what he found.

"I initially thought Macao would be like the Chinese mainland, where everyone speaks Putonghua," Almeida said. "But I quickly discovered that many of my fellow students here also speak Portuguese or English."

For Sofia Costa, an exchange student from the University of Porto in Portugal, studying in Macao has been a transformative journey of personal and professional growth. Currently studying supramolecular chemistry and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at UM, she described learning TCM as "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Immersing myself in Chinese medicine has been a fascinating experience," Sofia said. "I'm confident that the knowledge I gain here will be invaluable throughout my career."

Data from UM shows that the university currently hosts more than 350 international students from about 50 countries and regions, including the United States and Japan, marking a 360 percent increase compared to a decade ago.

UM is one of 10 higher education institutions in Macao, a city with a population of about 690,000. Among them, the Macao University of Science and Technology (MUST) stands out as a prime example of the SAR's growing appeal as an academic destination.

Founded in 2000, MUST has rapidly developed into the largest multi-disciplinary university in Macao, enrolling approximately 23,000 students, 94 percent of whom come from outside the SAR.

Over the past 25 years, Macao's academic reputation has grown significantly. As the historical site of St. Paul's College -- the first university in the Far East -- Macao continues to build on its legacy of higher education. Today, UM ranks among the top 250 universities globally, underscoring the SAR's commitment to academic excellence.

Allure of diverse cultures

Both Almeida and Costa were impressed by Macao's cultural diversity. "I've met people from various cultural backgrounds, which was a delightful surprise," Almeida said. "There's always someone ready to help, which has made my time here truly enjoyable."

As a historical city where Chinese and Western cultures meet, Macao displays a unique charm that belongs to a culture typical of Southern China, yet with a distinctive European touch.

Since the mid-16th century, Macao has served as a vital bridge that has facilitated the exchange of knowledge between East and West, said Wu Zhiliang, who has spent decades studying the city's history and culture.

The historic center of Macao, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as a testament to one of the earliest and most enduring encounters between China and the West.

This rich cultural synthesis is embodied by landmarks like the Ruins of St. Paul's, whose facade integrates Eastern elements, such as Chinese inscriptions and lion motifs, into its design. Nearby, the Na Tcha Temple -- a tribute to the legendary figure Ne Zha, a demon-slaying hero depicted in the 16th-century Chinese classic "Journey to the West" -- underscores the harmonious coexistence of Eastern and Western traditions.

Macao's cultural allure extends beyond its iconic churches and temples. "Here, civilizations and cultures don't clash but coexist and understand one another, reflecting the traditional Chinese ideal of harmony in diversity," Wu explained.

This blend is perhaps most evident in Macao's culinary tapestry. Over the centuries, the city has preserved the cuisines of different nations while crafting new flavors through creative fusion. Macanese cuisine, one of the world's first fusion foods, marries Chinese and Portuguese cooking techniques and ingredients. It also incorporates spices and seasonings from regions along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, such as curry and coconut milk, creating dishes with a rich historical and cultural depth.

Pedro Miguel Manhao Sou, a local resident whose mother runs a restaurant specializing in Macanese cuisine, recalled his childhood as being filled with a colorful mix of cultures and flavors.

"My grandfather used to run a noodle stall, and after school, we'd pick our favorite side dishes there. In the evenings, we'd enjoy the Macanese dishes my mother cooked at home. This was our life," he said. "My family celebrates both the Spring Festival and Christmas."

Today, Macao is one of the safest and wealthiest places in the world, renowned for its Michelin-starred restaurants, famous Portuguese egg tarts, and vibrant street food stalls. Its rich culinary heritage has not only attracted food lovers from around the globe but also earned international recognition.

In 2017, Macao was named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. More recently, in June 2024, the city was designated a Culture City of East Asia as part of a program initiated by China, Japan and the Republic of Korea to promote cultural exchange and collaboration.

With its growing global reputation, Macao has seen a surge in visitors. By December 7, 2024, the city had welcomed over 32 million tourists -- a 26 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to official data.

Jose Chan Rodrigues, a Macao resident with Portuguese ancestry, views the city as a bridge that fosters a deeper understanding of China. As one of Macao's cultural ambassadors, Rodrigues highlights the city's unique appeal: Macao offers travelers nearly everything they seek, from cultural blend to culinary experience, all wrapped in a coastal city of 33 square kilometers.

"That," he added, "is the allure of Macao for the world."