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.Lonely Planet China

by: Damian Harper, Andrew Burke, Julie Grundvig

2007-05
I used this book only in Beijing and Shanghai, so I can only vouch for those two sections. The maps of Beijing were great, when they were there. Because the book appears not to have been copy edited, there are lots of references to more detailed maps there are not actually in the book.

Also, the Beijing section doesn't include some of the most interesting areas for tourists to visit. It seems like someone just did a google search on Beijing and listed the first few things that come up, regardless of their interest or relevance to tourists. A major park walking distance to the forbidden city surrounded by cafes, museums and excellent souvenir shops is simply not listed.

Shanghai was a little better.

It ... Read More:
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Used Price: $21.92

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.Beijing (City Guide)

by: Damian Harper

August 01, 2007
I bought this book for the Olympics and was disappointed. It didn't have the full subway maps updated and the Olympics section was sparse. It needs an update as Beijing is changing rapidly
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Used Price: $9.92

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.Celestial Realm: The Yellow Mountains of China

by: Damian Harper, Seigo Matsuoka, Wusheng Wang

November 30, 2005
I bought this book for the Olympics and was disappointed. It didn't have the full subway maps updated and the Olympics section was sparse. It needs an update as Beijing is changing rapidly
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Used Price: $23.05

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.National Geographic Traveler China (National Geographic Traveler)

by: Damian Harper

May 01, 2004
This volume is a mine of fascinating and important information, with comprehensive yet succinct narration and explanation about Chinese history, customs and culture, along with a great array of pictures and maps as well as practical guidance for preparing for and making a trip to mainland China.
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Used Price: $0.76

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.National Geographic Traveler: China, 2d Ed. (National Geographic Traveler)

by: Damian Harper

April 17, 2007
"China" tries to cover too much (including Tibet and Inner Mongolia) to be useful as a tour book (imagine trying to cover the U.S. in < 400 pages), and lacks enough photos (none the size or quality associated with "National Geographic") to qualify as a treat for the senses. In addition, it totally fails to address the enormous changes in China via its new construction and industrialization.

"China" does offer good tips on bargaining (in some situations), smoking, avoiding frank political discussions, renting rooms near a Karaoke ounge, jostling (vs. lines), and general lack of credit card acceptance. However, travelers also likely wonder whether eg. street signs are in English the costs of touring China, and good sources for tours. ... Read More:
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Used Price: $6.99

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.Shanghai Encounter (Best Of)

by: Damian Harper

March 01, 2008
although the good part of this guide was the fact that they gave the chinese characters for all listings, and it's compact size, we found many of the suggestions closed and listings out of date. maybe the next update will be worthwhile
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Used Price: $6.64

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.Lonely Planet Shanghai

by: Damian Harper, Christopher Pitts

2006-05
As of June 2007, this book has become out of date. Many of the shikumen houses that I went to visit have been torn down in Shanghai in an effort to modernize the city by 2010 for the World Expo. Maps of the metro subways are also out of date. The book currently has partial maps of the 2 lines. There are now 5 different subway lines and still many more to be built. This book is a great introduction to Shanghai, but it is out of date (just like pretty much all the other books on the city).

To sum it up, pretty good book, but just don't count on the book being your only source of information on Shanghai.
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Used Price: $2.54

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.Lonely Planet Best of Shanghai (Lonely Planet Best of Series)

by: Damian Harper

2006-01
The maps were indispensible aids in getting around Shanghai and if I ever go back to that town and were only allowed ten pages from this book, I'd include the maps. I met another traveler in Shanghai who lost this guide and doubled back several blocks to find it again. He did find it again and was glad he did.

That being said, it's not the gospel. Shanghai's a big town and there's no way to cover every single place to eat or thing to do. Given the short descriptions for many of the activities, there can't be enough room to explain everything you may need to get to them... the Propaganda Poster Museum is one such example. It's way way way off a beaten track, but I found it after asking a local security guard and showing the picture in the ... Read More:
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.Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei

by: Simon Richmond, Marie Cambon, Damian Harper, Richard Watkins

2004-02
I am impressed to have received a new copy of this lonely planet so quickly and exactly in the condition i expected.
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Used Price: $0.69

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.Lonely Planet Hong Kong, Macau & Guangzhou (Hong Kong Macau and Guangzhou, 9th ed)

by: Damian Harper, Robert Storey

1998-11
I returned from HK/Macau less than a week ago where my traveling companion had this book. It is full of useful and accurate information on Hong Kong. We found a number of restaurants listed in this book and were pleasantly surprised, however, the Macau sections were next to worthless. I'm convinced that there doesn't exist **anywhere** an accurate map of Macau.

We planned to follow the walking tour of Macau AND tried to, but were unable to follow the instructions - we are both engineers (MIT and former Rocket Scientist) so following directions isn't usually a problem for us.

Bottom line - good for HK, not so much for Macau.

I had Fodor's Hong Kong's 25 Best, 5th Edition (25 Best) and found it less useful for our 13 day ... Read More:
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Used Price: $0.03