China Baedeker Guide

Description

Baedeker is proud to welcome this brand new guide to China. At the heart of this full-colour and visually inspiring guide is a wealth of well-researched information and over 200 detailed recommendations, written by experts. From the famous terra-cotta army near Xi'an to Beijing and its imperial palace, not to mention the spectacular scenery, you will find all the sights and top attractions explored in an easy-to-read A-Z format. Superb 3D laminated illustrations display the key sights in perspective and include Puning Si Monastery and Potala Palace, brought to life at the turn of a page. Clear and concise background texts cover China's fascinating history, tracing key events from Prehistory and the first empire to Opium Wars and the People's Republic of China. Special feature pages cover topics of particular interest that give a rare glimpse into everyday life, such as 'Courtyard Houses and Hutongs' and 'The Bus to Shangri-La'.
A comprehensive 'Practicalities' chapter covers all the essential travel advice you need, including accommodation, transport, food and drink, health, shopping, money and much more, not to mention useful insider tips for travellers with disabilities and those travelling with children. There are plenty of 'Baedeker tips' alongside the relevant places and sights information, making this guide ideal for on-the-spot reference. The guide is accompanied by a large, fully indexed, pull-out map, along with 48 detailed maps and plans within the text that clearly pin-point the best places to stay and top venues to eat and drink en route. There are 5 recommended tours specially designed to ensure you see the very best of this exciting and diverse country. Whether you want to follow the trail of explorers and merchant caravans to innermost China on the Silk Road or see the traditional highlights of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong you can choose the tour to suit you. Journey lengths range from 10 to 23 days and are suitable for both experienced travellers and beginners. Top sights are clearly plotted along the way with the distances marked between them to help you plan your route.
All of this invaluable information is contained within a handy plastic wallet that allows you to keep the guide and map together whilst ensuring that both will survive in all weather. Baedeker - setting a new standard in 21st century travel guide publishing.

Table of contents

BACKGROUND: Ever Changing China; Facts; Nature; Population, Politics, Economy; History; Prehistory and Early Historical Period; The First Empire and its Fall; Second Empire; The Rise of the Steppe Peoples; The Beijing Era;From the Opium Wars to Chairman Mao; The Peoples Republic of China; Art and Culture; Architecture; 3D: Timber Frame Construction; Garden Palaces and the Art of Gardening; Ink Painting; Writing as an Art Form; Modern Art; Theatre and Opera; Buddhism; Gautama and the Ten Thousand Buddhas; Taoism; Confucianism and the Cult of the State; Famous People. PRACTICALITIES: Accommodation; Arrival, Before the Journey; Children in China; Electricity; Emergency calls; Etiquette and Customs; Festivals, Holidays, Events, Food and Drink; Health; Herbs, Qi and a Long Life; Information; Language and Writing; Literatur; Media; Money; Personal Safety; Post, Telecommunications; Prices; Shopping, Souvenirs; Sport and Outdoors; Time; Tipping; Transport; Travellers with Disabilities; Weights and Measures; When to Go. TOURS: Tours through China; Travelling in China; Tour 1: Traditional Highlights; Tour 2: Alternative Highlights; Tour 3: The Silk Road; Tour 4: Back to Chinas Roots; Tour 5: Tibet. SIGHTS FROM A to Z: Beijing; 3D: Imperial Palace; Courtyard Houses and Hutongs; Changbai Shan; Changsha; Chengde; 3D: Puning Si Monastery; Chengdu; Chongqing; Dali; Datong; Dazu; Dunhuang; The Hidden Library; Emei Shan; Guangzhou; Guilin; Hangzhou; Harbin; Hohhot; Hongkong; 3D: Skyline of Hong Kong Island; No Room for Sentiment; Huang Shan; Huanglong, Jiuzhaigou; Jiayuguan; Kashgar; Kunming; Kuqa; Lanzhou; Leshan; Lijiang; The Bus to Shangri-La; Luoyang; Macau; Nanchang; Nanjing; Ningbo; Putuo Shan; Qingdao; Quanzhou; Qufu; Sanya; Shanghai; Shenyang; Suzhou; Tai Shan, Taian; Taiyuan; The Great Walls of China; Tianjin; Tibet; 3D: Potala Palace; Turfan; A rumqi; Wudang Shan; Wuhan; Wulingyuan; Wutai Shan; Wuyi Shan; Xiamen; Xian; 3D: Terracotta Army; Xishuangbanna; Yangtze Gorges; Yangzhou. Chinese Names for Asking Directions; Chinese Phrasebook. Glossary; Index; List of Maps and Illustrations; Photo Credits; Publishers Information.