Sands China’s New Publication Showcases Cultural and Historic Beauty of Rua das Estalagens

“In Search of Its Roots – An Illustrated History of Rua das Estalagens” promotes Macao’s Cultural Heritage through stories

(Macao, Mar 12, 2025) – Sands China Ltd. recently released a new bilingual publication, “In Search of Its Roots – An Illustrated History of Rua das Estalagens,” highlighting the fascinating past of the historic Macao street and the beauty of its legacy through the community’s collaborative efforts. The book was compiled by a dedicated team of local professionals – from editing and interviewing to layout and illustrations. With this publication, local residents and visitors will rediscover the gem of centuries-old shops and the cultural heritage of the street through legendary stories, broadening their understanding of the district’s transformation as well as its inhabitants, while witnessing Macao’s development as an international city.

The book was patronised by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government and supported by the Cultural Affairs Bureau. It was produced in partnership with the Macau Artist Society, who served as publisher; Siguo Chen, the author of the book; illustrator Shirley Lu; and other contributors responsible for design, photographs, and printing.

“In Search of Its Roots” aims to reintroduce the ancient and contemporary aspects of Rua das Estalagens to Macao’s residents and visitors, preserving the invaluable deeds of its inhabitants. By engaging in intimate conversations with associations, business entities and residents in the district, Chen has encapsulated the characters and historical moments from the street’s past through oral history. The book has been archived by public libraries in Macao and delivered to local secondary and primary schools to educate the next generation, promote a sense of cultural heritage, and highlight the mutual bonds between people in Macao – serving as a valuable community resource for deepening understanding and appreciation of Macao and the street.

Sands China’s revitalisation efforts at Rua das Estalagens also include the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens, which launched in April last year. It seeks to achieve two related goals: supporting the development of local businesses and boosting the neighbourhood’s economy. By upholding the company’s business philosophy of supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises, the programme aims to encourage Macao residents with innovative entrepreneurial proposals to start businesses on Rua das Estalagens – thereby helping revive the neighbourhood’s economy, revitalise the street, and unleash its past vibrancy. The seven distinctive businesses selected by the programme have been opening in phases, injecting energy into the area alongside other new businesses while providing a platform for ambitious young entrepreneurs to realise their dreams.

Leong Wai Man, president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR, said: “Apart from the launch of the creative Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens, we are glad to see that Sands China has partnered with the Macau Artist Society to beautify the street and publish the book ‘In Search of Its Roots – An Illustrated History of Rua das Estalagens’ in a thoughtful effort to broaden the discussion around its preservation and revitalisation to include its wider significance to society. It is hoped that the restoration of the street will inspire more people to take notice of Macao’s historical neighbourhoods and take part in preserving them, combining ideas and resources to ensure that the city’s culture and history continue to thrive for generations.”

Another of Sands China’s revitalisation projects for Rua das Estalagens is the beautification of the shopfronts with imaginative designs that highlight the characteristics of the shops and resonate with the history of the street and the city. Since last year, Sands China has been collaborating with the Macau Artist Society to invite two young local artists – Lei Chek On and Sit Ka Kit – to creatively paint the gates of the street’s historic shops. The goal is that, with a collective effort such as this, the community can rediscover the history of the street and learn about its stories and past shops through the visual interpretations of these local Macao artists and their perceptions of Macao.

“Rua das Estalagens is a microcosm of Macao itself, a place where a rich history meets a modern future,” said Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd. “The walls of its alleys have witnessed Macao’s transformation, and its stories and people are worthy of being remembered as they are the precious sources of Macao’s cultural heritage. Our dedicated effort to publish the book was made possible by joining hands with our local team to conduct interviews with historic shops, craft illustrations, and take photographs, among other work. It is our hope that both local residents and visitors will embrace the allure of Rua das Estalagens through our book, as it showcases the rich tapestry of the street’s history. We are delighted that this publication has been archived by schools and public libraries in Macao, inspiring future generations with real-life stories and strengthening the community’s connection to Macao’s heritage. Additionally, through our collaboration with the Macau Artist Society to beautify the gates of the street’s historic shops, the artists have integrated the street’s characteristics into their work, preserving the city’s unique culture while introducing new elements to the district. Together, these efforts demonstrate our commitments to stimulating the economy and supporting businesses in the neighbourhood, showcasing the fruitful achievements of urban development by illustrating the stories of Macao.”

The digital version of “In Search of Its Roots – An Illustrated History of Rua das Estalagens” can be viewed and downloaded at https://assets.sandsresortsmacao.cn/ebook/SCL/revitalization-of-rua-das-estalagens/index.html.

Photo caption: Sands China recently released a new bilingual publication, “In Search of Its Roots – An Illustrated History of Rua das Estalagens,” highlighting the fascinating past of the historic Macao street and the beauty of its legacy through the community’s collaborative efforts.

Photo caption: The digital version of “In Search of Its Roots – An Illustrated History of Rua das Estalagens” can be viewed and downloaded by scanning the QR code above. The book has also been archived by public libraries in Macao and delivered to local secondary and primary schools.

Photo caption: Since last year, Sands China has been collaborating with the Macau Artist Society to invite two young local artists – Lei Chek On and Sit Ka Kit – to creatively paint the gates of the historic shops of Rua das Estalagens. The imaginative designs highlight the characteristics of the shops and resonate with the history of the street and the city.

Photo caption: Four distinctive businesses selected by the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens, namely Catfee (top left), Olálá (top right), Panpan (bottom left), and Café Fantart (bottom right) are open, injecting energy into the area alongside other new businesses, while providing a platform for ambitious young entrepreneurs to realise their dreams.