The former enclave, which consists of a mainland promontory and two offshore islands, reverted to Chinese sovereignty in December 1999 after 400 years of Portuguese administration.

In neighbourhoods of cobblestone streets and pastel buildings, with church bells ringing, you might imagine you are in a town in southern Portugal. Turn a corner, and shops selling dried herbs and medicines, with the clack-clack of mahjong tiles from an open window above, are an immediate reminder of Macau's actual location. Yet fringing the atmospheric backlanes are modern skyscrapers. Christian and Chinese festivals are celebrated with fireworks, processions, dragon boat races, solemnity, noise and laughter.

Find out more about the colourful enclave Macau has to offer.