Publications
A Multi-Model Text Mining Approach to Tourism Image Analysis of the Historic Centre of Macao Based on User-Generated Content
A multi-model text mining analysis of user-generated content reveals that the tourism image of Macao's Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is shaped by four key dimensions: perceptions of history and heritage value, spatial landmarks, travel behavior, and emotional evaluation. The study, which analyzed 3781 tourist reviews using TF-IDF, BERTopic, and RoBERTa models, identified 18 topics clustered into three semantic groups—heritage-space cognition, landmark experiences, and integrated tourism experiences—and highlighted positive sentiment dominance while noting issues like crowding as sources of negative feedback. This approach offers a robust framework for assessing tourism images in cultural heritage destinations.
Cultural governance of Mazu religious tourism
A distinctive state-religion dynamic is reshaping trilaterals involving Macau, Taiwan, and mainland China through the mobilization of Mazu religious tourism. This transformation, driven by collaborative efforts between state actors (Macau and Chinese governments) and non-state actors (Fujian community and Taiwanese Mazu temples), has significantly contributed to Macau's economic diversification while fostering cross-Strait cultural and religious exchanges. The study employs a cultural governance framework, utilizing anthropological research, interviews, and informal conversations with stakeholders, devotees, and visitors across Macau, Taiwan, and mainland China. This approach reveals the socio-economic and political significance of developments such as the A-Ma Cultural Village and the A-Ma Cultural and Tourism Festival, aligning with mainland China's religious united front strategy under the 'one country, two systems' framework.
Destination image across Chinese- and English-language reviews of Macao’s Historic Centre: A cognitive-affective-behavioral analysis
A comparative analysis of Chinese- and English-language reviews reveals distinct yet overlapping perceptions of Macao’s Historic Centre, shaped by cultural and linguistic nuances. While both groups express predominantly positive attitudes, Chinese-language reviews emphasize iconic landmarks and symbolic heritage, often highlighting crowding, whereas English-language reviews focus more on the immersive atmosphere of East-West cultural integration and experiential value. Action-related language in Chinese reviews leans toward photography and landmark visits, while English reviews associate strongly with walking, exploration, and learning. The study employed advanced text-mining techniques—Latent Dirichlet Allocation for cognitive themes, a Support Vector Machine classifier for sentiment analysis, and semantic co-occurrence networks—to unpack these differences across user-generated content from Ctrip, MaFengWo, and Tripadvisor.
Digital Technology in the Conservation of Architectural Heritage in the Historic Centre of Macao Research Hot Spots and Prospects
A systematic framework leveraging digital technologies such as 3D laser scanning, HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modeling), and VR (Virtual Reality) has been developed to enhance the efficiency, precision, and accessibility of architectural heritage conservation in Macao's Historic Centre. Focusing on Tsz Lam Wai as a case study, this research demonstrates how these advanced tools address critical challenges in data acquisition, modeling, visualization, and management. A quantitative literature analysis using CiteSpace further identifies global trends and local gaps in digital heritage preservation, offering actionable insights for broader implementation across UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Emotional Regulation and Physiological Responses to a Cultural Heritage Virtual Reality Experience in Older Adults: Mixed Methods Study
A cultural heritage-based virtual reality (VR) experience significantly enhanced positive affect and reduced negative affect in older adults compared to a conventional photorealistic VR environment, suggesting its potential as a low-burden intervention for emotional well-being. The study, conducted using the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Historic Centre of Macao, integrated subjective psychological assessments with objective physiological measures—such as electrodermal activity (EDA) and heart rate variability—to explore mechanisms underlying emotional regulation. While EDA showed notable interindividual variability without consistent group-level effects, the findings propose a conceptual pathway linking digital cultural experiences to emotional engagement and psychological well-being in aging populations. This research contributes to the development of content- and experience-oriented approaches in digital therapeutics.
Exploring public perception of urban heritage in Macao via user-generated content
Public perception of the Historic Centre of Macao, as reflected in user-generated content on travel and map platforms, reveals a strong positive sentiment with a focus on churches, squares, facades, gardens, walking, and photography. While this aligns primarily with UNESCO's Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) criteria—particularly Criterion (iv) for material urban fabric and architectural ensembles—it also highlights concerns like crowding and commercialisation not addressed by the OUV framework. The study employed a multi-modal approach, analysing multilingual reviews using sentiment classification, semantic keyterm extraction, and an OUV alignment pipeline, alongside visual theme grouping of user-uploaded images via pretrained vision models. This method demonstrated partial overlap between textual and visual signals, offering insights that could enhance monitoring and communication for urban World Heritage sites.
Identifying and Evaluating Cultural Genes in the Historic Centre of Macao: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective
A study of the Historic Centre of Macao reveals distinct cultural priorities among tourists, residents, and experts, highlighting significant disparities in how different groups perceive its heritage. Residents show the strongest connection to intangible elements like beliefs and folk customs, while tourists favor tangible aspects such as decorative features and cuisine, often overlooking architectural structures. The research introduces a dual-strand model for identifying cultural genes—both tangible (e.g., architecture) and intangible (e.g., religion, folklore)—combined with the AHP-fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method to quantify public engagement. This approach provides a data-driven framework for preserving and revitalizing the site, offering insights applicable to other UNESCO World Heritage Sites facing urbanization and tourism pressures.
Conservation of island city heritage site: a study of the spatial practices of A-Ma Temple heritage site in Macau
A-Ma Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Macau, exemplifies how island city heritage sites evolve through spatial practices shaped by natural geography and human influence. The study reveals that the temple's construction phases, pavilions, and environmental integration reflect dynamic interactions between private and official forces, adapting to external historical conditions while maintaining its cultural significance. Researchers employed a dual-method approach—combining on-site surveys with interviews—to analyze physical space samples alongside historical documents like maps, inscriptions, and stone carvings. This diachronic perspective highlights the temple's stage-specific development and its role in supporting urban spaces amid land constraints. The findings underscore the importance of studying such sites to inform conservation strategies for island cities facing rapid urban expansion.
Perceived value and tourist donation intentions at religious heritage sites: the mediating roles of awe and subjective well-being
A study on the Historic Centre of Macao reveals that tourists' perceived value at religious heritage sites significantly boosts their donation intentions, both directly and indirectly through emotions like awe and subjective well-being. Using Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) theory, researchers analyzed data from 529 visitors to A-Ma Temple, applying Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings highlight that religiosity strengthens the emotional impact on donation behavior, suggesting that enhancing spiritual experiences can foster sustainable conservation efforts. This research provides actionable insights for heritage managers aiming to balance cultural preservation and economic viability.
When language shapes landscape: quantifying tourism image discrepancy of Macao historic centre through bilingual lens
Language significantly influences the perception and projection of tourism images in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as demonstrated by a study on Macao Historic Centre. The research reveals that while official projections in English emphasize 'Social Function' and 'Cultural Value,' Chinese projections focus more on 'Architectural Features' and 'Basic Information.' Tourists' perceptions also vary: English-speaking tourists prioritize 'Cultural Value' and 'Tourism Value,' whereas Chinese tourists value 'Architectural Features' and 'Historical Value.' Notably, the consistency between official projections and tourist perceptions is higher in the Chinese context but more pronouncedly discrepant in the English context. This study introduces a dynamic tourism destination image (TDI) model that bridges human geography and psychological perspectives, offering empirical evidence to optimize bilingual promotional strategies and enhance interactive experiences in heritage destinations.
A Study on the Typological Evolution and Renewal of Residential Buildings in the Historic Center of Macao
Residential buildings in Macao's Historic Centre, often overlooked despite their presence in the buffer zone, face significant challenges including architectural deterioration and unauthorized structures. A study reveals that these buildings, many over 40 years old, require urgent renewal to preserve their cultural heritage value. The research traces the typological evolution of residential architecture in the region, providing a comprehensive historical analysis. It identifies key patterns in building design and usage, offering actionable recommendations for sustainable renewal. This work is crucial for maintaining the integrity of Macao's UNESCO-listed site, balancing preservation with modernization needs.
Architectural Color Conservation and Renewal Strategies in Historic Urban Areas: An Analysis Based on the Historic City of Macao
A study on the Historic Centre of Macao identifies critical principles and strategies for architectural color conservation and renewal, essential for preserving its unique cultural heritage. The research determines that maintaining the original architectural appearance, ensuring the integrity and richness of primary building colors, and controlling color elements are fundamental to conservation efforts. It also introduces practical strategies such as establishing a color database and determining architectural color tones, providing actionable guidance for renovations in historic urban areas. This approach offers valuable insights for balancing preservation with renewal, safeguarding Macao's distinct visual identity while supporting its cultural significance.
Visual Analysis of Social Media Data on Experiences at a World Heritage Tourist Destination: Historic Centre of Macau
Tourists' perceptions of the Historic Centre of Macao, a UNESCO World Heritage site, reveal a destination characterized by authenticity, romance, and commercialization, blending dynamism with tranquility and tradition with modernity. A study analyzing social media data from platforms like Ctrip and Mafengwo identified four primary dimensions shaping tourist experiences: cultural (16.02%), landscape (30.85%), emotional (16.97%), and local (36.16%). While 85.45% of sentiments were positive, recurring negative themes included overcrowding, high prices, lack of interactive attractions, excessive commercialization, and insufficient rest facilities. These insights provide actionable guidance for sustainable tourism development in Macau, balancing heritage preservation with visitor satisfaction.
Research on the Decorative Patterns of Modern Residential Buildings in Macao from the Perspective of Social Change
Macao's decorative patterns on modern residential buildings reflect its unique regional style and cultural evolution, offering insights into the city's social transformations. The study identifies the particularity and regularity of these patterns' emergence and development, linking them to broader historical changes. By analyzing architectural decoration in relation to Macao's modernization, the research highlights traditional patterns as vital carriers of urban culture and key elements for tourism and cultural export. This approach provides a novel lens through which to understand Macao's architectural heritage, contributing to its preservation and promotion.
Research on the Protection of Historical Buildings under the Collision of Sino-Portuguese Cultures—Taking the Zheng Family House in Macau as an Example
Macao's historic buildings represent a unique fusion of Sino-Portuguese architectural cultures, blending Lingnan and Portuguese styles into a distinct heritage. This study identifies the principles for preserving such multicultural structures, focusing on the Zheng Family House as an example. It highlights how Macao's architecture evolved through cultural exchange, creating a diverse and complex decorative style. The research combines comparative analysis of Chinese and Western architectural elements with historical development to derive preservation guidelines. These findings offer insights into maintaining the integrity of multicultural heritage sites, particularly in contexts like UNESCO World Heritage Sites where cultural collision shapes architectural identity.
The Cinematographic Expression of Macao’s Cultural Heritage Based on Roland Barthes’ Image Rhetoric Theory: The Bewitching Braids as an Example
Film serves as a powerful medium for preserving and spreading cultural heritage, maintaining its vitality. A study analyzing The Bewitching Braids, the first local film in Macao, reveals how it visually archives both tangible (Historic Centre of Macao) and intangible cultural heritage (religious beliefs, rituals, dialects). Using Roland Barthes’ image rhetoric theory, the research dissects the film’s linguistic and visual layers to show how these elements shape characters, advance plot, and express themes. This approach offers a framework for storytelling through cinema that effectively communicates cultural narratives, bridging academic analysis with public engagement.
The Convergence of Chinese and Portuguese Architectural Styles in the Context of Macau World Heritage
The Historic Centre of Macau, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases a unique convergence of Chinese and Portuguese architectural styles that have coexisted for over 400 years. This study highlights the distinct urban imagery formed by Chinese buildings, Portuguese houses, and hybrid structures, providing insights into their historical background and stylistic characteristics. The analysis contributes to the conservation of Macau's architectural heritage while illustrating the complementary nature of cultural exchanges between China and Portugal. The research employs a comparative approach to examine these styles, offering a comprehensive understanding that supports the preservation efforts of this significant site.
Exploration of Macau Residents Support for Event Development: Destination Image and Perceived Tourism Major Impact
Macau residents support event tourism development primarily when it is perceived to have reduced environmental impacts. This finding emerges from a qualitative study that explored how destination image and perceptions of tourism impacts influence local support for events, using the Social Exchange Theory (SET) as a framework. The research involved in-depth interviews with 30 respondents, employing semi-structured questions to gather insights. Key recommendations for industry practitioners include leveraging innovative marketing strategies, such as adopting technology via social media platforms, to foster positive word-of-mouth and enhance destination appeal. The study provides actionable insights for destination marketers aiming to align event development with resident preferences and sustainability concerns.
Study and Restoration of the Yi Ma Wu Hui Layer of the Ancient Coating on the Putuo Zongcheng Temple
Research on the Putuo Zongcheng Temple in Macao's historic center reveals that nonblood Yi Ma Wu Hui (YMWH) techniques were used in its ancient coatings, a discovery confirmed through advanced analytical methods. The study employed Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to characterize the YMWH layer and compare it with commercial restoration materials. This comparison validated the use of nonblood YMWH processes, enabling a successful restoration that preserves the temple's original structure. The findings enhance understanding of traditional coating techniques, offering valuable insights for the preservation of ancient cultural architecture.
Visualising folk religion and ancestor worship at A-Ma temple in Macau, China
A-Ma Temple in Macau, China, serves as a focal point for folk religion and ancestor worship practices, offering a visual and reflective exploration of these traditions. Through seven images captured during a visit to the temple, the essay delves into the historical significance and religious adherence associated with this coastal region. It highlights the lore behind A-Ma Temple, particularly its role in ancestor worship, providing insights into cultural and spiritual practices that have persisted over centuries. The approach combines visual documentation with historical context, offering a unique perspective on how these traditions are maintained and expressed in contemporary Macau.
Redesigning historic cities facing rapid tourism growth
Rapid tourism growth in Macao's historic centre has exacerbated traffic congestion and pollution, particularly along narrow streets like San Ma Lou Avenue, where tall buildings trap particulate matter. This study identifies the urban design flaws contributing to these issues and proposes green solutions that could mitigate environmental impacts while preserving the area's historic integrity. Drawing on experiences from other global tourist cities, the research advocates for interventions that enhance liveability for residents and visitor experience without compromising the built environment.
The search for World Heritage brand awareness beyond the iconic heritage: a case study of the Historic Centre of Macao
A study on the Historic Centre of Macao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS), reveals that while visitors show strong interest in cultural heritage and iconic landmarks like St Paul's Ruins, awareness of the WHS designation itself is minimal. Despite promotional efforts by UNESCO and tourism industries, the 'WHS brand' fails to resonate with tourists, suggesting that its economic and cultural value may be underutilized. Researchers employed intercept surveys and participant observation to assess visitor perceptions, finding that cultural themes drive engagement more effectively than the WHS label alone.
Linking the world heritage and industrial waterfront : urban revitalization of Porto Interior, Macao
Urban revitalization of Macao's Porto Interior waterfront bridges the Historic Centre of Macao with its industrial past through innovative design. The study introduces nine heritage paths and functional 'celebrate nodes'—plazas, gardens, and leisure spaces—that physically and mentally connect the site to its surroundings while preserving cultural elements. This approach enhances public open space quality, improves vehicular and pedestrian circulation via infrastructure like a harbor tunnel and light rail system, and promotes accessibility through shared streets. The design vision, rooted in Macao's history, creates a unique, cohesive experience that reflects both heritage values and industrial evolution.
Towards the Creation of a New Sustainable Urban Environment: Improvement and Revitalization of Public Spaces in the Historical Centre of Macao
Research on the Historic Centre of Macao highlights its pivotal role in urban sustainability, cultural preservation, and social significance. The study proposes strategies to revitalize public spaces within dilapidated or misused historical areas, aiming to enhance their functionality while maintaining heritage integrity. By analyzing political, economic, technological, societal, and cultural factors influencing urban environments, the paper offers a holistic approach to sustainable urban development in China. This involves reconnecting scattered historical buildings and restoring urban fabric to foster long-term sustainability and social cohesion.
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