Macau S.A.R.

Just 55 minutes by ferry from Hong Kong, lies Macau, a 22 square kilometre enclave nestled on the South China Coast. Founded in the 15th Century by Portuguese Jesuit missionaries and traders, Macau is now one of the regions most successful cities and a perfect example of “east meets west”.

Consisting of a peninsular and two outlying islands, Taipa and Coloane, Macau is linked together by two dramatic bridges and a causeway. Macau has become a cultural city filled with museums. The Portugese influence is evident in the presence of Macau’s baroque churches and the popularity of Catholicism. Alleys and squares paved with cobble-stones are reminiscent of the Mediterranean. The Chinese influence is reflected strongly in the many temples. As of the 20th December 1999, Macau was no longer a Portuguese colony when it was handed over to China.