City Travel Guides > Books > China

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.Wild China: The Hidden Wonders of the World's Most Enigmatic Land
City Travel Guides > Books > China
by: Phil Chapman

May 08, 2008
Beautiful in it's self this was really useful fo pulling out the 'must see' scenic bits of China when planning an extended trip. The most useful guide book I found (and the only one of the 3 I purchased that I'll be lugging with me to China) was Frommer's China (Frommers Complete) published in April 2008.
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Used Price: £12.47

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.China (Lonely Planet Country Guide)
City Travel Guides > Books > China
by: Damian Harper

May 01, 2007
I normally swear by Lonely Planet guidebooks and didn't think twice about buying the China guide. However, I found that some of the practical information (which is normally so reliable in Lonely Planet guides) was thin on the ground as well as sometimes misleading (there was a subway stop on the Beijing map which didn't exist and some of the phone numbers for hostels in Xi'an were incorrect). What disappointed me the most however was that a lot of the sights descriptions /background info have clearly been copied from signs displaying onsite. I found that I had to take a tour guide on several occasions to get a less superficial overview of the place I was visiting. A big disappointment then although basic info is covered and will allow you to get ... Read More:
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Used Price: £10.40

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.Hong Kong and Macau (Lonely Planet City Guides)
City Travel Guides > Books > China
by: Andrew Stone, et al

February 01, 2008
I normally swear by Lonely Planet guidebooks and didn't think twice about buying the China guide. However, I found that some of the practical information (which is normally so reliable in Lonely Planet guides) was thin on the ground as well as sometimes misleading (there was a subway stop on the Beijing map which didn't exist and some of the phone numbers for hostels in Xi'an were incorrect). What disappointed me the most however was that a lot of the sights descriptions /background info have clearly been copied from signs displaying onsite. I found that I had to take a tour guide on several occasions to get a less superficial overview of the place I was visiting. A big disappointment then although basic info is covered and will allow you to get ... Read More:
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Used Price: £13.90

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.Hong Kong (Lonely Planet Encounter)
City Travel Guides > Books > China
by: Steve Fallon

May 01, 2007
I bought this, along with the Rough guide to Hong Kong & Macau and the Rough guide DIRECTIONS: Hong Kong & Macau (as I couldn't make up my mind which seemed best!) and have to say, this is the one I used on my trip. The pull out map is a lifesaver & I would have been completely lost without it. The book is divided up into sections by geographical area and then tells you what to see and do/where to eat and drink there. I found this much easier to use than the rough guide, which had an "eating" section - you then had to decide what type of food you were in the mood for and then see if any of the restaurants in that category were in the district you were visiting. Confusing! Obviously, the book is titchy which is great for stuffing in yourr pocket or bag ... Read More:
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Used Price: £5.19

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.The Rough Guide to China (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
City Travel Guides > Books > China
by: David Leffman, Simon Lewis

April 01, 2008
I bought this, along with the Rough guide to Hong Kong & Macau and the Rough guide DIRECTIONS: Hong Kong & Macau (as I couldn't make up my mind which seemed best!) and have to say, this is the one I used on my trip. The pull out map is a lifesaver & I would have been completely lost without it. The book is divided up into sections by geographical area and then tells you what to see and do/where to eat and drink there. I found this much easier to use than the rough guide, which had an "eating" section - you then had to decide what type of food you were in the mood for and then see if any of the restaurants in that category were in the district you were visiting. Confusing! Obviously, the book is titchy which is great for stuffing in yourr pocket or bag ... Read More:
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Used Price: £9.06

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.Mandarin Phrasebook (Lonely Planet Phrasebook)
City Travel Guides > Books > China
by: Anthony Garnaut

September 01, 2006
On a trip to China I ordered this phrasebook as I have absolutely no knowledge of Mandarin and was told China was quite difficult to get around in due to the low level of English spoken over there.

In truth, at places like airports staff there will speak English and signs will be written in English. In Beijing airport I was even able to ask a janitor a question in English and he understood me. In more rural China (specifically I went to Fujian province) it's very unlikely that you'll come across someone that can speak English, but places still have some signs in English.

Following on from my previous point, the writing system will pose a problem and is one this book cannot solve, not that it aims to. Rather you will just have to be adventurous ... Read More:
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Used Price: £1.68

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.China (Eyewitness Travel Guide)
City Travel Guides > Books > China
from: Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd

February 01, 2008
On a trip to China I ordered this phrasebook as I have absolutely no knowledge of Mandarin and was told China was quite difficult to get around in due to the low level of English spoken over there.

In truth, at places like airports staff there will speak English and signs will be written in English. In Beijing airport I was even able to ask a janitor a question in English and he understood me. In more rural China (specifically I went to Fujian province) it's very unlikely that you'll come across someone that can speak English, but places still have some signs in English.

Following on from my previous point, the writing system will pose a problem and is one this book cannot solve, not that it aims to. Rather you will just have to be adventurous ... Read More:
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Used Price: £18.88

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.Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya (Lonely Planet Walking Guides)
City Travel Guides > Books > China
by: Stan Armington

October 01, 2001
This is not a self sufficient guide, but if you combine it with the Nepal Lonely Planet and some good maps it is really helpful. Why go through all this trouble, you might ask, and not get something more comprehensive. First because most travellers (I make a bold assumption) are used to the Lonely Planet style and second because being of a smallish size it is the perfect guide to keep in your pocket while you walk and check as you go along what you covered against the trek dexcription found inside.
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Used Price: £7.72

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.Shark's Fin and Sichuan Pepper: A Sweet-sour Memoir of Eating in China
City Travel Guides > Books > China
by: Fuchsia Dunlop

March 06, 2008
Like other reviewers I adore this book, and found it utterly unputdownable. I am one of those strange folk who does not eat meat, but despite this and some initial squeamishness about some of the ingredients Fuschia consumed in her journeyings around China, I became totally absorbed in her mission to try whatever foods came her way. She is a passionate adventurer, and one who never loses her capacity to challenge herself, and to reflect on her experiences. She is a beautiful and engaging writer, and the perfect armchair travel companion. I look forward to her next outing, in China or elsewhere.
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Used Price: £13.45

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.Shanghai (Lonely Planet City Guides)
City Travel Guides > Books > China
by: Damien Harper, et al

February 01, 2008
Like other reviewers I adore this book, and found it utterly unputdownable. I am one of those strange folk who does not eat meat, but despite this and some initial squeamishness about some of the ingredients Fuschia consumed in her journeyings around China, I became totally absorbed in her mission to try whatever foods came her way. She is a passionate adventurer, and one who never loses her capacity to challenge herself, and to reflect on her experiences. She is a beautiful and engaging writer, and the perfect armchair travel companion. I look forward to her next outing, in China or elsewhere.
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Used Price: £9.65