Lonely Planet China (Travel Guide)
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Lonely Planet China (Travel Guide) Paperback – May 1, 2013
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24 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By
tech_luver
on November 11, 2013
Format: Paperback
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Well, this review is not about the quality of the book - I have always been an avid owner of 20+ LP titles for several countries and cities and have always found them to be useful.
This book is no exception. Although quite thick, it has a vast bank of knowledge many of its competitors dont have.
However.. recently when I took it on my trip to China, it was confiscated by overzealous customs officials on a train crossing. Once they spotted it in my backpack they immediately shrieked as if they had spotted an insect. To cut things short, what they told me is this - the map in the book does not show Taiwan as a part of China and so the book is forbidden in China. Inspite of my repeated pleadings they did not budge.
Since most of the independent travelers rely on the guidebooks solely for all their needs, it will turn out to be a huge pain once you disembark from your train/bus/plane etc as you cannot speak the language, dont have the directions, address or phone #s of the place(s) you are going to, and without a tourist information center you will find it very difficult to navigate through taxis or public transport.
It seems LP knows this can happen and they mention it on page 9xx under the section of vietnam crossing - but to someone who is not going to Vietnam, it is next to impossible to know this.
You will not find this book in the reputable bookstores in Beijing - I went and searched 3 of the biggest bookstores in the city and could not find this, confirming what they told me.
LP should put this in bold in the beginning of the book so the customers are well informed.Read more ›
This book is no exception. Although quite thick, it has a vast bank of knowledge many of its competitors dont have.
However.. recently when I took it on my trip to China, it was confiscated by overzealous customs officials on a train crossing. Once they spotted it in my backpack they immediately shrieked as if they had spotted an insect. To cut things short, what they told me is this - the map in the book does not show Taiwan as a part of China and so the book is forbidden in China. Inspite of my repeated pleadings they did not budge.
Since most of the independent travelers rely on the guidebooks solely for all their needs, it will turn out to be a huge pain once you disembark from your train/bus/plane etc as you cannot speak the language, dont have the directions, address or phone #s of the place(s) you are going to, and without a tourist information center you will find it very difficult to navigate through taxis or public transport.
It seems LP knows this can happen and they mention it on page 9xx under the section of vietnam crossing - but to someone who is not going to Vietnam, it is next to impossible to know this.
You will not find this book in the reputable bookstores in Beijing - I went and searched 3 of the biggest bookstores in the city and could not find this, confirming what they told me.
LP should put this in bold in the beginning of the book so the customers are well informed.Read more ›
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By
Bart Motes
VINE VOICE on July 18, 2013
Format: Paperback
Vine Customer Review of Free Product
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Almost ten years ago, I took a five month trip through China. Lonely Planet was my guide. This book is spruced up a bit but has overwhelmingly the same content as the book I took with me. That's ok, although it makes me wonder when the last time the authors visited the attractions was. For anyone thinking of spending an extended period of time in China, this book will be invaluable. For people planning a shorter ten day to two week trip, the Discover China book offered by Lonely Planet may be a better bet. Lonely Planet Discover China (Full Color Country Travel Guide) Overall, I recommend this guide, which, over a thousand pages, gives copious detail on pretty much every region of China.
Pros:
* Breadth and depth of information is impressive. You will find something about every area of China here.
* Recommendations are generally good, but the paradox is that getting funneled into the same areas as every other Lonely Planet reader leads to tourist traps writ large.
* The book's design continues to be refined and is more attractive than ever before.
Cons:
* Some of the less traveled regions have clearly not received a refresh in ten years.
* I am stunned that there is no information in the Chongqing section on the Stillwell and Chennault Museums, which should be of interest to any Americans curious about America's World War II activities in China and why at least one region of China still has warm feelings toward Americans.
* Given that the book is a huge bug-squasher, the adequate index could be beefed up and enhanced.
Tips on China travel:
* Use your ATM card at ATMs.Read more ›
Pros:
* Breadth and depth of information is impressive. You will find something about every area of China here.
* Recommendations are generally good, but the paradox is that getting funneled into the same areas as every other Lonely Planet reader leads to tourist traps writ large.
* The book's design continues to be refined and is more attractive than ever before.
Cons:
* Some of the less traveled regions have clearly not received a refresh in ten years.
* I am stunned that there is no information in the Chongqing section on the Stillwell and Chennault Museums, which should be of interest to any Americans curious about America's World War II activities in China and why at least one region of China still has warm feelings toward Americans.
* Given that the book is a huge bug-squasher, the adequate index could be beefed up and enhanced.
Tips on China travel:
* Use your ATM card at ATMs.Read more ›
Thank you for your feedback.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By
Wandrwoman
TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on June 5, 2013
Format: Paperback
Vine Customer Review of Free Product
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This guidebook, published in May, 2013, is huge and all encompassing. Compiled by 11 authors, it is an 1047 page, encyclopedic introduction to the entire country of China. Quite impressive!
Very little is left out, but keep in mind that not all guide books can be all things to all people at all times. This is the book to purchase when you are planning your trip and need to know the basics before you go into anything in great depth. This is not a panoramic picture book for armchair travelers, nor is this a book on art, history, politics, nor linguistics (although these subjects are discussed briefly.) If you don't have the patience to read and research the background of a country prior to visiting, and just like to take it all in when you get there, you won't be happy either. There is far too much information in this book for you.
My first trip to The People's Republic of China was as a tourist in 1981 and I have traveled there for business ever since. The one thing that was never available to a visitor was a map. They didn't exist, or if they did, they were ancient, outmoded and in Chinese. Not only does this guidebook include a pull out map of Beijing roads and public transportation system, but highway and city maps are in abundance for most other localities. Times have really changed!
The book is divided into four main chapters: "Planning Your Trip," "On The Road," "Understanding China," and "Survival Guide." You start with the overview given in "Planning Your Trip," and then proceed to the detailed information in "On The Road." Reading the rest, is up to you.
One of the most helpful features about Lonely Planet guides is the "Top Experiences" section that identifies those sites a visitor should never miss.Read more ›
Very little is left out, but keep in mind that not all guide books can be all things to all people at all times. This is the book to purchase when you are planning your trip and need to know the basics before you go into anything in great depth. This is not a panoramic picture book for armchair travelers, nor is this a book on art, history, politics, nor linguistics (although these subjects are discussed briefly.) If you don't have the patience to read and research the background of a country prior to visiting, and just like to take it all in when you get there, you won't be happy either. There is far too much information in this book for you.
My first trip to The People's Republic of China was as a tourist in 1981 and I have traveled there for business ever since. The one thing that was never available to a visitor was a map. They didn't exist, or if they did, they were ancient, outmoded and in Chinese. Not only does this guidebook include a pull out map of Beijing roads and public transportation system, but highway and city maps are in abundance for most other localities. Times have really changed!
The book is divided into four main chapters: "Planning Your Trip," "On The Road," "Understanding China," and "Survival Guide." You start with the overview given in "Planning Your Trip," and then proceed to the detailed information in "On The Road." Reading the rest, is up to you.
One of the most helpful features about Lonely Planet guides is the "Top Experiences" section that identifies those sites a visitor should never miss.Read more ›
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