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The graceful boughs of banyan trees stretch over this elegant avenue, shading the candy-coloured pageant of colonial-era architecture. Unlike in Hong Kong, many of Macau’s historic piles survive in excellent condition. At the gorgeous fort-turned-hotel at Macau’s tip, the Pousada de São Tiago, the road becomes Avenida de Republica. Follow it around the point, where it turns into Rue da Barra and ends in the Porto Interior (Inner Harbour).

When you reach breaking point with all the shopping malls and theme parks, rest and refresh yourself with an exceptionally cheap foot or back massage, or perhaps some nail painting. A vast range of treatments are available at Lo Wu (see Lo Wu Commercial City). Hotel health centres offer the assurance of professional reflexology and traditional massage. Submitting to several treatments at the same time is the last word in pampering.

Go the dishlickers! This is the only greyhound racing club in Asia.

The 1-mile (1.5-km) walk from the nearby light railway station is hard, but this is a nice little outing to relieve stress if the bustle of Hong Kong is getting to you. Suck in some (relatively) fresh sea air and let the chanting of the monks soothe your soul.

Full-size recreations of traditional villages are peopled by well groomed, eternally happy folk representing different ethnic Chinese groups. An anthropologist’s nightmare perhaps, but it will give you some idea of China’s diverse cultural and ethnic melting pot.

The temple’s name means “evergreen pine tree”, a symbol of longevity and perseverance. The Koon, a Taoist sect, built the first structure, the Palace of Pure Brightness, in 1961 and has since added myriad pagodas, pavilions and peaceful Chinese gardens guaranteed to lower the blood pressure of even the most stress-soaked individual. There’s also vegetarian food and a bonsai collection.