Hong Kong and Macau

Europe's oldest and best-known colonies in Asia are located an hour apart by ferry on opposite sides of the Pearl River Delta, but the former British territory of Hong Kong, which returned to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, and the Portuguese colony of Macau, which China reclaimed at the end of 1999, are as different as night and day:

VIVA MACAU!! - Forgotten for over a century, Europe's first outpost in the Far East languished in the shadow of Hong Kong, the more robust, vastly richer British colony across the Pearl River Delta. But now Macau is being reborn as China's Las Vegas, only much bigger. For an updated look at Macau, see the Town and Country story on Asia's Vegas.

HONG KONG'S NEW BUZZ - With scores of new clubs, flash hotels and world-class attractions beyond Disneyland, rumors of the demise of this former British colony are greatly, gladly exaggerated. Present-day Hong Kong is vibrant, exciting, back to its pre-1997 peak.

HONG KONG YOGA BOOM - Forget inner peace and anonymity. In Hong Kong, yoga is taught in five-star salons, the biggest and most expensive in the world. Two takes: Hong Kong's Caviar of Yoga and the fitness barons behind Hong Kong's yoga boom.

MICKEY MOUSE MEETS MAO - What happens when the world's largest entertainment company woos the world's largest market? The answer has already reinvigorated Hong Kong, where the opening of Disneyland is only the first splash in a tidal wave of new attractions.

ISLAND IDYLL - Hong Kong has long been known as Asia's city of thrills, but a City of Chills? Discover a new Hong Kong: beaches, bike riding and bargain lodging, just a dash from the world's most exciting city, on these enchanted isles.

Hong Kong - Five years after its historic return to China, Hong Kong has changed in many ways, but not like any of the Beijing bashers predicted.

Hong Kong - Maverick clothing whiz turned media baron Jimmy Lai has stood up to Beijing and defied the local oligarchy. But now the miracle man is facing a crisis over his foray into e-commerce. How fitting, in Hong Kong, that shopping could be the last stand for Jimmy Lai.

Hong Kong - China could hardly contain its glee as the big clock at Tiananmen Square ticked to midnight on June 30, 1997. At one second past, the prize of Hong Kong belonged to China. But, with the high-rise towers and billions in a bulging government treasury, came one catch: Tiananmen organizer Han Dongfang, the heroic man who beat Beijing.

HONG KONG - Hollywood stars Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne learned their flashy, kung fu moves in "The Matrix" from the master, legendary Hong Kong fight choreographer Yuen Wo-Ping, who also helped shape the careers of Jackie Chan and Jet "Lethal Weapon" Li. Click to discover why Keanu loves Hong Kong's legendary director

Macau - Often overlooked as an insignificant settlement in the shadow of Hong Kong, the Portuguese enclave of Macau is centuries older and has a much richer history. Which makes its transition all the more urgent as its own midnight hour approaches on December 20, 1999.

Macau - Rocked by turmoil and mob violence in its final days under the Portuguese, Macau's real rulers, casino bosses and developers, are upbeat about the prospects for this renowned Sin City of the South China Sea.   

            Lai by Ira Chaplain; Yoga by Gerhard Joren, Keanu from the wire
            All others by Ron Gluckman