China: Macao historic areas

Score: 54

"A strange combination: casino tourism—the 'hottest' such destination globally (replacing Las Vegas)—with colonial architecture and the Portuguese/Chinese cultural interface. But somehow it works."

"Urban redevelopment threatens to 'enclave' the historic area in very high-rise developments. General lack of interest by most visitors, who come only to gamble."

"Surprisingly, the historic center managed to retain its character to a great extent. However, just beyond the World Heritage buffer zones, new construction is isolating the historic area from rest of the city. Tourism is not well managed; site presentation, and interpretation, is very inadequate."

"The Macao of today is a sad shadow of its former heritage."