The UNESCO General Conference in 2003 approved the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage，which was endorsed by China in 2004 and extended its application to Macau in 2006. The global trend to safeguard intangible heritage has extended to Macau，where it meets a rapid social and economic development as a result of the liberalisation of the gaming industry. During this process of globalisation and modernisation，the urban landscape has transformed and much tradition has been lost. These made “intangible cultural heritage” a cultural keyword for Macau in recent years，as well as an important social phenomenon. The Government，associations and academic institutions are the three principal forces behind the conservation of intangible cultural heritage，thereby forming a pattern in which the Government leads，the community participates and the academic circle supports. By December 2013，there are ten items enlisted Intangible Cultural Heritage of Macau，six of which were enlisted National Intangible Cultural Heritage and one of which World Intangible Cultural Heritage. Some preliminary progress has been made in conserving intangible cultural heritage in Macau，but challenges are also emerging. This article proposes some suggestions to safeguard its future development.