Hong Kong & Macau
Tue ,01/12/2009
The return of Hong Kong to mainland China in 1997 and Macau in 1999 made these areas official Special Administrative Regions (SARs) of the People’s Republic of China, although they retain their own laws, currency, and taxes. Though the British governed Hong Kong for 150 years and the Portuguese ruled Macau for 400 years, these spots have always maintained their Chinese character, along with a bit of European flair. Yet so many years of independence from the mainland have given Hong Kong and Macau a unique flavor that you won’t find anyplace else on the mainland. (more…)


Proud capital and seat of power, Beijing wields an amazing amount of influence over this vast nation. All provinces live by Beijing; they set their clocks by Beijing time and speak Beijing’s Mandarin dialect in their schools, businesses, and local government.