Students from the Tourism Business Management and Hotel Management programmes at Macao University of Tourism embarked on a two-day visit to Taishan, Haikou Port from 1 to 2 March, as part of their comprehensive project aimed at researching and developing innovative ideas for the Yinxin Cultural Ancient Street in Haiyang Village, Duanfen Town, Taishan City (台山市端芬鎮海陽村海口埠文化古街). The project, led by Dr. Fernando Lourenço (羅導謙博士), is designed to support the Rural Revitalisation Strategy (鄉村振興戰略) and empower students to design innovative and sustainable solutions to transform the village into a thriving tourism destination.
Background of Yinxin Cultural Ancient Street, Haikou Port
Yinxin Cultural Ancient Street, located in Haikou Port, Taishan, has a rich historical and cultural background. The street is lined with distinctive rows of shophouses and features a unique blend of architectural styles, influenced by the overseas Chinese who built them. The area has been renovated and is now a popular tourist spot, featuring many time-honored brands, restaurants, shops, and leisure spots. Notably, the Yinxin Cultural Ancient Street was listed as a national-level tourism and leisure district in China. This recognition highlights the street's significance as a cultural and historical site, attracting visitors from across the nation.
Highlights of the Visit
Daguanghaiwan Youth Innovation Valley (大廣海灣青創智穀)
A symposium was held to introduce students to Taishan City, covering its geographical and demographical characteristics, economy, culture, resources, industrial parks, incubators, training bases, and the opportunities and connections within the Greater Bay Area.
Guangdong Culinary Technical School (廣東廚藝技工學校)
Rated as a provincial-level Cantonese cuisine chef training base, the school hosted cooking lessons for the students, providing them with hands-on experience in traditional Cantonese cuisine.
Dongling Overseas Chinese Research and Study Base (東陵華僑研學基地)
The base showcased collaborative developments between Macao and Taishan. Discussions with local entrepreneurs and business representatives promoted cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation between the two regions.
Historical and Cultural Sites
• Haikou Port Overseas Chinese Remittance Letters Museum (海口埠銀信博物館): Students learned about the history and culture of Taishan’s returned overseas workers.
• Haikou Port Yinxin Cultural Ancient Street (海口埠古街): The students explored the ancient street, gaining insights into its cultural significance.
• Mei Family Courtyard (梅家大院): This historic site provided a glimpse into the region’s architectural heritage.
• National Grain Rice Factory (國糧米廠): Students visited the factory to understand the entire process from rice harvesting to commercial production, gaining a deeper understanding of the agricultural industry and factory processes.
Conclusion
The visit to Taishan, Haikou Port, provided students with invaluable insights into the region’s natural attractions, culture, history, and business ecosystem. By engaging with local communities and industry experts, the students were able to gather essential research material to support their project. This initiative not only contributes to the Rural Revitalisation Strategy but also fosters cultural and tourism exchanges between Macao and Taishan, paving the way for sustainable development and innovation in the region.
Supporting Organisations:
This visit was made possible with the support of several organizations:
Organizing Units:
Taishan Youth Association of Macau (澳門台山青年會)
Macau Doctoral Think Tank Taishan City Liaison Department (澳門博士智庫台山市聯絡部)
Macao University of Tourism (澳門旅遊大學)
Taishan Dongling Overseas Chinese Research and Study Base (台山市東陵華僑研學基地)
Guiding Units:
Unity and Coordination Department of Taishan Municipal Party Committee (台山市委統戰部)
Organization Department of Taishan Municipal Party Committee (台山市委組織部)
Supporting Units:
Macao Economic and Livelihood Alliance
Taishan City Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau (台山市文化廣電旅遊體育局)
Taishan Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau (台山市人力資源和社會保障局)
Taishan Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League (共青團台山市委員會)
