Introducing

With less than 100 km (60 mi) separating it from Hong Kong, Macau has been overshadowed by its popular neighbour. But Macau can't complain: a thriving gambling industry has brought the city great wealth. Nor can visitors complain, as Macau is one of China's most interesting cities. Macau is a limited democracy whose foreign and defence affairs are the business of China. What makes Macau really fascinating, though, is its starkly Mediterranean look. The Portugese turned it into a significant port in the middle of the 16th century; over the centuries, it turned into a home for the Portuguese elite and, as a result, distinctly Portuguese architecture began to spring up. Christianity filtered into China through Macau, too. The city is the site of the Basilica de São Paulo, one of the most important monuments of Christianity in China.

Don't come to Macau expecting a traditional Chinese town, or a skyrise metropolis like Hong Kong – Macau is completely unique among Chinese cities.