There is more than one Hong Kong. Macau, a short way along the coast of China to the west of Hong Kong island, is a former Portuguese colony which, along with its more famous neighbour, has become a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.
Although it shares a colonial past, and although it's only a short journey from the former British colony by aerofoil, Macau is a rather different city from Hong Kong. Like Hong Kong, it consists of a mainland peninsula and an island, with an airport built out into the sea. It has all the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong, but it lacks some of the former's hard, businesslike atmosphere. It feels like a place more thoroughly dedicated to pleasure.
And there's a simple reason for that: Macau's economy grew up on the basis of people having a good time. The city is legendary for its hedonistic nightlife, and, in particular, for its casinos. People have been coming to Macau to gamble for years. When the Chinese took over from Portugal in 1999 they recognized a good thing when they saw one, and the casinos and nightspots continue to flourish.
But there's more to Macau than pouring your money down the greedy throats of slot machines or pretending to be James Bond at the roulette table. Because it lacks arable land, the city has always depended on the sea to feed it. To this day, Macau's seafood is some of the best on the Pacific Rim, and although you can eat brilliantly in Hong Kong it's worth the hydrofoil trip to Macau just for a taste of the city.
You should also make a point of exploring the city's historic center, which feels like a little bit of Portugal - or Mexico, or Spain - in the Far East. Structures like the ruins of the cathedral of St. Paul give the whole place a very Latin, Catholic feel - a fact which has been recognized by UNESCO, which has made the whole center a World Heritage Site. The whole of the old town is easily encompassed in a short day's walking, during which you can see quite a few interesting sights - not least the curious spectacle of Chinese temples right next to very European-looking churches.
It may not quite be the other Hong Kong in terms of commerce and trade, but Macau is certainly worth a visit.
Hong Kong & Macau (City Guide)
Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau (Michelin Guides)
The Rough Guide to Hong Kong & Macau - Edition 6 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
Fodor's Hong Kong, 20th Edition: With Macau and the South China Cities (Fodor's Gold Guides)
Hong Kong & Macau Travel Map Fourth Edition (Periplus Travel Maps)