Lonely Planet China

Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a Shoestring (Lonely Planet Shoestring Guides)

Average customer rating:

The SE asia bible!
Lonely Planet- not with this many package tourists.
Great to read but difficult to do so due to VERY SMALL print.
typical shoestring guide
Lonely Planet SE Asia

Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a Shoestring (Lonely Planet Shoestring Guides)
China Williams , George Dunford , Rafael Wlodarski , Simone Egger , Matt Phillips , Nick Ray , Robert Reid , Paul Smitz , Tasmin Waby , and Matt Warren
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1741044448

Book Description

The original and the best, Lonely Planet's `yellow bible' is your ticket to endless adventure in Southeast Asia. Want nonstop parties in 24-hour cities? Feel like sunning your skin on a deserted, white-sand beach? Picture yourself having tea with a remote hilltribe? Written by backpackers for backpackers, this guide will help you stay longer, pay less and experience more. DIVE UNDER THE COVERS on current events, history, culture and the environment. EAT CHEAP AND SLEEP EASY with our fully updated coverage of the best eateries and great-value accommodation. GET YOUR THRILLS - the best scuba diving, elephant-trekking, rock-climbing, sea kayaking and surfing. TALK YOUR WAY IN with our handy language guide. BEAT YOUR OWN PATH using over 170 detailed maps.

Customer Reviews:

The SE asia bible!.......2006-11-29

Used this book to travel in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Bali (though I finally ended up buying another book for Bali as Indonesia itself is huge). Don't know if there is a better book that covers so many countries this well. Other people on tour had the Rough guide to SE Asia book and we found this one to be more useful because it had better maps and more information.

Obviously a bit tailored towards backpackers but you can easily find more upscale places (hotels, restaurants etc) in the "splurge" section.

Wouldn't dare to say that it covers everything but certainly a must-have for people traveling in the area

Lonely Planet- not with this many package tourists........2006-02-18

"Nobody touches the Lonely Planet for budget travel advice," states the back cover of this book.

I just finished travelling around Southeast Asia with this as my primary guidebook. It includes the basics for getting around, eating, etc... but it really is just the basics. I have used other books from the lonely planet series in the past, and have found them good enough to continue using, at least until this volume. It has been 5 years since I was in this region last, and things have changed. Especially the guidebook, which was once a rich trove of off-the-beaten-path hints and tips. Increasingly, however, it seems that the Lonely Planet authors seem less interested in helping you find a unique experience and more interested in serving up a cookie-cutter, package tourist rehash. I have a couple grievances with this book:

-It insists on constantly pointing out little sidebars entitled "Splurge!" which indicate ways that the budget traveller can spend a great deal of money in one shot. Why this is in a travel guide called "shoestring" I couldn't tell you. Neither do the authors, but I suppose we can assume that backpackers are interested in spending $5 a night for a couple of months and then blowing $150 to stay in some posh hotel in Kuala Lumpur or racking up an additional $20 in credit card debt for an entirely forgettable dining experience in Bangkok. I just don't feel these are relevant to 99% of actual budget travellers, but they waste a lot of space that could be much better used on greater detail. But I will get to that in a minute.

-Another issue I have is the lack of actual information about actually moving from one place to the next cheaply. Cheap local transport is available in many of the places covered in the book. For some reason though, the book usually offers helpful advice like 'just take a cab,' or 'buses are so cheap, so don't bother with local transport.' As an independent traveler that actually enjoys saving money AND spending time with the locals (what's the purpose of traveling again?!?!), I regret the lack of information about local transport.

-The maps in the book, though better than some in past editions, leave much to be desired. Streets are incorrectly labeled or in the wrong place, intersections are vaguely marked, and occasionally they add a street that doesn't exist or remove a street that does. Worst of all, in a region that prides itself on an almost complete lack of road signage, not many good landmarks are given to orient oneself. There is little that is less fun on the road than standing in front of a train station, staring at one's new alien surroundings, being hassled by touts who are trying to steer you in the wrong direction while trying to find that cheap hostel you read about.

Look, if you want a run-of-the-mill book to complete a run-of-the-mill trip, by all means, you will find this book quite helpful. But if you are looking for that individual experience that is the beauty of independent travel, you might be best going with a different guide for this region.

By the way, the quote I wrote at the beginning should be viewed as a warning rather than an enticement

Great to read but difficult to do so due to VERY SMALL print........2006-01-28

I really like the Lonely Planet guides, and this one is very good regarding the amount of information it contains. My main complaint is the size of the type. Not only is it very small and difficult to read even with glasses on, but the paper is very thin so the words from the reverse page show through. I'd rather pay a couple of extra dollars and have higher quality paper. I also agree with other reviewers who felt that the Indonesia chapter could easily be eliminated, partly because it is difficult to due justice to that widespread country in a chapter.

typical shoestring guide.......2005-08-25

This guide is really good value, although you notice easily that it covers a lot of countries. South East Asia is big, the book is limited in size and therefore detail is missing. I bought seperate guides for Laos and Cambodia and this benifited my trip greatly.
Also, the part about Bangkok doesn't show the best bits and doesn't quite warn you for the worst(sex tourism), either.

Lonely Planet SE Asia.......2005-08-15

This is another great issue from the dedicated researchers, writers and readers of the practical and economic guides for world travelers. The SE Asia book is written with particular care, insight, and affection. In addition to a wealth of information on the countries of SE Asia, the guide offers some of the best practical advice for living, traveling, and surviving in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and other countries I did not visit and thus cannot speak to. It was just as good as any of their guides to China or India I that I have used in the past.

Average customer rating:

Generally good, but could be better
Great Guide Book
Excellent book - best Lonely Planet guide I ever had
Outstanding for the first time visitor
Good Guide!

Lonely Planet Thailand
Joe Cummings , Morgan Konn , China Williams , Becca Blond , and Matt Warren
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1740596978

Book Description

Thailand was once an enigmatic paradise of pristine beaches, hidden temples and remote mountain refuges. Here's the secret: it can still be that way. Let Lonely Planet guide you past the world of the tourist brochures and into the true heart of the this glorious land.

• AUTHORITATIVE OPINION - incisive, candid reviews let you travel your way

• INSIDER'S PERSPECTIVE - from traveling with children to visiting tsunami-affected regions, our expert authors provide the definitive word

• THE WORLD'S BEST TRAVEL MAPS - meticulously checked and fully cross-referenced

• ACCOMMODATION FOR ALL BUDGETS - from sumptuous palace hotels to breezy beach bungalows

• EXTENSIVE LANGUAGE CHAPTER - you'll be ordering Singhas and chatting with locals in no time

Customer Reviews:

Generally good, but could be better.......2007-03-29

I've used a lot of lonely planet guides in my travels, but I found this one a bit less useful than other LP country guides. It just seemed like the detail was missing, especially in regards to beaches and water activities. It almost seems like you need to buy this guide for 'most of Thailand' and then the seperate guide for beaches which is just asking too much. Could have more detail on major attractions like the Grand palace (how about a map?) and more detail on things like snorkelling / diving / surf spots on maps like they do for the Hawaii guide

Great Guide Book.......2007-01-24

I have read this booking and really love it, I am Thai citizen, but some part which Joe has written in the book is reflect the real thing, something which I never look down and realize (I think insider might see different from outsider). That's really true.

Excellent book - best Lonely Planet guide I ever had.......2006-12-23

I travel a lot and, as a consequence, i do purchase a lot of the guides by Lonely planet. That Thailand guide is an excellent guide that gives you info you are looking for, historical highlights, maps and short stories, and, is not 'dry' as other guides.

If you never had it and you are going to Thailand - get it - it is a must.

Outstanding for the first time visitor.......2006-11-28

I just returned from a month in Thailand and found the Lonely Planet Guide to be very impressive. Several things to remember is that:

a) if the publishing date is 2005 the content is probably several months to a year older.
b) if you have local friends and/or family the guide will still be useful but not nearly so compared to a traveler who is on their own. You might keep thinking why the guide doesn't cover something that your in country friend gives you great info or insight into. Relax, the LP guide, despite its heft can only provide so much info.

Comments on LPs logistics and highlights...

1) Logistics.
Negative. There wasn't a lot of coverage given on the new low fare airlines that are now available but this might be because these airlines did not exist in force when the research was done.

Positive. I traveled on local bus, long distance bus, train, taxi, moto-taxi, sky train, subway, regional airplane and even tuk-tuk. The guild had very precise information on how to get around locally and through out the country. This was probably the most helpful part of the book with information I was not able to find easily elsewhere. (Always keep in mind that prices and times will change though.)

Highlights.
Negatives. I could tell that the writers have a particular perspective on what is a highlight and what is not. They love the Wats or temples. I admit that many are incredible and worth the journey. But there are many, many, many of them. After seeing a few Wats, Wat fatigue set. The point is to keep your own interests in mind and not let the guide pick too much of what you decide to do.

Positives. I enjoyed many of the suggestions in the book including the cooking school in Kanchanaburi, walking the alleys of Chinatown in Bangkok, a particularly spectacular guest house in Koa Tao, etc.. My highlights were definitely not the guide's highlights but were found in the guide.

Thailand has a lot to see and the LP guide does an admirable job within the limits of the print format. Now get out there!

Good Guide!.......2006-09-29

Normally, I look at tour books for the following things:

1. If mentions restaurants then its touristized and Americanized food.
2. They steer you to expensive hotels and over prices places.
3. They are rarely updated.

Not this guide! This was really really helpful. I read most of the background and history. It was nice that they had Thai people on writing staff giving a local perspective. The recommendations were dead on for most part.

I liked the fact that they covered all of the regions of Thailand - its a huge, beautiful country.

Their helpful tips to avoid problems were dead on. I confirmed it with the locals while there. Khup un khap (Thanks in Thai)

Average customer rating:

Confidence
lonely planet
I went to china
Pretty good in practice
great book but not the end all be all

Lonely Planet China
Damian Harper , Steve Fallon , Katja Gaskell , Julie Grundvig , Carolyn Heller , Thomas Huhti , Bradley Mayhew , and Christopher Pitts
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1740596870

Amazon.com

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.

Just as the authors describe China as "massive and endlessly fascinating," so is the material they have collected in this guide--an important travelers' opus. The 200-plus maps feature keys in English and Chinese script and there are essential details on transport options, a 12-page Chinese arts section, and a useful feature on the Chinese language. --Kathryn True

Book Description

Welcome to China: vast, ambitious, proud, and transforming like never before. Speed down alleyways on your Beijing bicycle, slurp steaming noodles in the shadow of a Shanghai skyscraper and wake up spellbound to the desertscapes of Xinjiang. Whether you seek the Terracotta Warriors of ancient Xi'an or a few moments with the pandas of Chengdu, this bestselling guidebook will take you through the heart of China.

• BE INSPIRED by the wonders of the Middle Kingdom - the best coverage available, from the Great Wall to the high passes of Tibet

• TALK THE TALK and find what you want with handy Chinese script throughout

• UNWIND your qi in the most chic hostels, guest-houses and hotels

• CONNECT with the real China - scintillating History and Culture chapters

• FIND IT YOURSELF - 230 easy-to-use maps

Customer Reviews:

Confidence.......2007-05-07

Everything you need to know including how to speak basic Chinese. I will go to China with a feeling of confidence.

lonely planet.......2007-01-11

Much specific detail which I need when traveling off the bus, i.el. not part of a tour group.

I went to china.......2007-01-10

This book has a bit useful general information. The bulk of it is on the differant cities in china. I visited Guilin and Liuzhou and the information on these cities seemed old. It stated the best hotels to stay at and this was inaccurate due to constant building. I would not recomend taking this book with you to china. It is not worth the added weight.

Pretty good in practice.......2006-11-14

I spent 2 weeks in China and used this book. Travelled to Beijing, Xian and Luoyang. The only serious negative was the weight of the book. Also, the book did a poor job describing the Asian hotel reservation websites which offer much better deals than orbitz, expedia or [...]. However, no book is perfect and I would use this for my next trip.

great book but not the end all be all.......2006-11-10

This is a great source of information for the traveler. It's the best large scope book I've found for finding information on intracountry travel via bus, train, taxi, etc. It's also well written with a wry sense of humor. Some limitations, however, are timeliness, as businesses are constantly opening and closing in China, and I've already found a few places mentioned in the book that are no longer operating. Prices have also almost all gone up, despite the book coming out just a year ago. Gotta love inflation. The Rough Guide to China offers some better historical information and general overview of areas, but comes in short with getting around info. I like the Rough Guide better for planning and the Lonely Planet more to help while actually travelling.

Average customer rating:

Chinese-speaking Missionary's Review
National Geographic Traveler China
Excellent Introduction for the Serious Traveler
Nat Geographic Traveler China
China book limited

Lonely Planet China
Damian Harper , Andrew Burke , and Julie Grundvig
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1740599152

Book Description

Walk the watchtowers at Badaling, where President Nixon once said, 'this is a great wall,' p. 163 Knock back a shot of Confucius baijiu firewater in Qufu, hometown of the sage, p. 218 Find out how a local farmer first uncovered the Army of Terracotta Warriors, p. 428 Perfect your Monkey Offers Peach strike at Wudang Shan, birthplace of taichi, p. 481 12 authors and 483 days of in-country research special coverage of pristine Ming and Qing dynasty villages for the first time in English content updated daily - visit lonelyplanet.com for up-to-the-minute reviews, updates and traveller insights

Customer Reviews:

Chinese-speaking Missionary's Review.......2007-02-09

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.

National Geographic Traveler China.......2006-11-05

Very good book for someone planning to make a trip to China.

Excellent Introduction for the Serious Traveler.......2006-06-04

I found this book invaluable on my recent trip to China. It is not a typical tourist book, however, it provides a treasure of genuinely valuable background information for the serious traveler.

Nat Geographic Traveler China.......2006-03-15

Excellent book for general knowedge on planning a trip. worththe $.

China book limited.......2006-02-25

The photos and color are beautiful, as you would expect from National Geographic, but the actual guides to major sightseeing areas are fairly poor. They are somewhat "snobby" with too much criticism of places "for tourists." The book is actually hard to handle since, I assume for the sake of the photos, the paper is very heavy and glassy, certainly nothing you could actually bring with you on your trip to China.

Lonely Planet Thailand's Islands & Beaches

Average customer rating:

Awful
Thailand Islands & Beaches
Lonely Planet is the best choice.

Lonely Planet Thailand's Islands & Beaches
China Williams , Matt Warren , and Rafael Wlodarski
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Lonely Planet Thailand
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Frommer's Thailand (Frommer's Complete)

ASIN: 1740599306

Book Description

There's never been a better time to experience Thailand's world-class islands and beaches, pristine sands and crystal clear waters await. Expanded coverage on remote islands; new diving & other activities special chapter; indepth history, culture and food & drink chapters; more than 85 easy to use maps.

o EXPERT AUTHORS - providing the best insider tips and tricks o UNBEATABLE ACCURACY - updated on the road, in person by regional experts o THE WORLD'S BEST TRAVEL MAPS - more then 80 detailed maps inside o NO GUESSWORK - opinionated reviews and inspiring highlights sections

Customer Reviews:

Awful.......2007-04-08

One of the worst guide books I have ever read Sparse inaccurate information. Even though published March 2004 tells readers a Tuk Tuk in Patong Beach costs 10 baht (it costs 150 baht!)Full of broad information obviously culled from other (older) guides, not learned by personal experience. Garbage. Don't waste your money.

Thailand Islands & Beaches.......2007-01-31

This book is particularly helpful as it contains many detailed maps. As well, the accomodation section is very useful for the traveler who does not have any set plans as it helps to show several different price ranges from budget to high end & includes phone numbers & websites of them frequently.
there are also tips for every type of traveler here in very detailed sections on every province in thailand. although it says islands & beaches there is a very good section on Bangkok city itself which is good as most people start & end up their Thailand vacation there anyway & spend some time in the city.

Lonely Planet is the best choice........2006-08-28

The Lonely Planet travel books are really the very best choice. This new edition of "Thailands Islands and Beaches" covers areas up to date after the tsunami. It is complete and informitive. I go to Thailand every year and always bring my Lonely Planet.

Average customer rating:

Doesn't tell you the whole truth about Beijing
Missing major component
So much to see, so little time...
Accurate Information
Does the job

Lonely Planet Beijing
Damian Harper
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Lonely Planet China
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Insider's Guide to Beijing 2007

ASIN: 1740597826

Book Description

There's a not-so-quiet transformation brewing on the streets of Beijing. Set against a backdrop of dynastic opulence and centuries-old traditions is a city hurling itself headlong into the future. Whether your penchant is for Beijing opera or Peking duck, this smart and stylish book will guide you through all the excitement, grandeur and magic.

• ENGAGE WITH THE ARTS with our cutting-edge chapter on contemporary art, written by an expert

• BE INSPIRED by our extensive coverage of the world-famous sights, complete with insider twists

• BICYCLE round the city with improved maps and walking tours

• SHOP TILL YOU DROP - detailed coverage of the latest boutiques, markets and malls

• CONNECT WITH LOCAL LIFE - etiquette advice and our user-friendly language chapter

Customer Reviews:

Doesn't tell you the whole truth about Beijing.......2006-09-20

If you go the largest imported books bookstore in Beijing, which is located in Wangfujing, and grab this title from the shelves, you will find that several paragraphs in the book have been covered with a white paper strip: my own educated guess is that one probably dealt with Beijing's traffic congestion and the other with a certain bloody episode which happened on Tian'anmen Square in 1989.

I asked an employee what this meant. "The content must have been politically harmful", was the answer. There was no trace of embarassment in his voice. Business as usual...

Nevertheless, the book is available. Who will want to buy a blatantly censored copy for what is still a high price remains an open question. This may sound anecdotal but it isn't. It just shows how little things have really changed although China is reputedly the land of Change. I must congratulate the author for having written some "politically incorrect" stuff about Peking (let's stick to the old name, it is so much easier to pronounce), but I have to disagree with his general appraisal of the city. It is quite true that, as he states in the preface, Peking has been a "global irrelevance" for many decades, but it is simply false to claim that it is now an "exciting time" to visit the Chinese capital.

Think about this: John Blofeld (1913-1987), a British scholar who wrote books on Eastern philosophy and religion, and traveled extensively in Asia, including China, reports in one of his travelogues that when he visited Peking in what are for us "the good old times", before the Communist takeover that is, local people were already complaining that the old ways had disappeared.

Today, more than half a century later, after the Great Cultural Revolution and the demolition of the magnificent city walls, Peking finds itself in the midst of what in fact amounts to a second Cultural Revolution: an unprecedented, huge urban overhaul designed to turn it into a futuristic metropolis.

To sum it all up, Peking has completely lost its soul and one must ask: Where is the excitement, really? Are we talking about the five-stars hotels with their international buffets? Are we talking about the fact that local people can now buy French foie gras in the nearest supermarket? Are we talking about those glass and steel skyscrapers that have turned large areas of the city into what looks like a kind of alien Martian base? If that is something that makes you excited, yes, then by all means do visit the city. You will be satisfied.

Leaving aside the architectural monstrosities of the recent past and those that are being built in complete disregard to the ancient city environment, let us have a look at Peking's much publicized cultural heritage. Is it really worth seeing?

My answer is a definite NO. Keep your money for Pompeii, Tikal, Versailles or Angkor Vat. First of all, unless you are acquainted with Chinese culture, chances are that you will not be able to appreciate what you see. Just as it takes some time to appreciate a book or a piece of music. The reason is that Chinese architecture is not spectacular at all. And it is quite devoid of originality. If you have seen one pagoda, you have seen them all. Besides, you probably can't read Chinese characters. Chinese art is an extension of the writing system.

But there are many other factors that combined will probably make a visit to Peking quite disappointing, if not infuriating (for a sensitive traveler, that is). First of all, the crowds of tourists, both foreign and Chinese. They are overwhelming (and unfortunately most interesting sites have rather short opening hours). Second, the ruthless commercialism and incredibly bad taste: the merchants of the Temple are omnipresent. I am not only talking about nagging vendors, souvenirs shops, noisy fast-foods and bars inside the premises, but also about big and small advertising boards and a multitude of ugly modern artefacts that mar both the great monuments and the more modest ancient alleys ("hutongs").

A few examples: if you go to the Forbidden City, you will find pistachio green plastic garbage cans everywhere. The benches inside the palace all bear advertising plaques for a company that sells air conditioners. If you visit the( few remaining)hutongs, you will find that the old houses are lined with brand-new cars and that their façades are marred by big air conditioners. Near the Forbidden City, the hutongs are dotted with ugly telephone booths in the shape of an orange mushroom (yes!)every five or ten meters. The tiles on most pavilions and pagodas are made of ugly, grey concrete (the real thing is too costly). There must be more than a hundred big, red fire extinguishers in the otherwise quite beautiful Lama Temple and there are alas not hidden from view. Roofs around Tian'anmen Square are bristling with huge, unsightly mobile phone towers. The wonderful animal and human statues in the Spirit Way, which is part of the huge Ming Tombs Site, are all flanked by a big plastic garbage can and they have built new roads on both sides of it: enough noise to scare away the spirits and prevent you from entering a meditative state...

Etc., etc., etc. There is no end to the list of things both small and great that spoil the remnants of the past in Peking and elsewhere in China, which shows just how culturally decadent Chinese people have become. One could without exaggeration say that today the urban culture in China is an extension of Las Vegas and Hollywood with some Chinese elements thrown in for good measure (and face!).

Sometimes the incongruities are so blatant, so ludicrous that one starts wondering if there isn't a kind of conspiracy, a deliberate attempt to debase and desecrate the past, which is after all just superstitious rubbish for a true Communist and a mere merchandise for a true Capitalist (they are pretty much the same in my opinion). The alliance of the two has produced what may be the biggest kitsch paradise on earth: Pe-kitsch.

The third point you need to keep in mind is the weather, which can be summed up as: cold winter smog, spring sandstorms and smog, summer sauna and smog (+heavy rains in July) and dry autumn smog. Twenty years ago(yes, I have lived that long here!), Peking had a Mediterranean climate of sorts with clear blue skies most of the time, but due to heavy traffic pollution the city has now smoky skies with no wind and therefore a suffocating atmosphere most of the time (let's say about 70 percent of the time). In many places, the air stinks with the smell of chemical paint. It is also full of dust particles from the thousands of construction sites, to say nothing of the exhaust fumes from the hundreds of thousands of trucks, bulldozers and private cars that race through narrow alleys and oversized avenues alike.

The fourth point is traffic. It is increasingly difficult to go from one place to another without being caught in huge traffic jams (the government actually encourages people to buy cars and they hope every household will have its own car by 2020!!!). The happy times when you could go around leisurely riding a bicycle are basically finished. Now the streets have become a battleground and cars crowd even the sidewalks. The subway network is pitifully inadequate and incredibly crowded. As another expat once said to me: "I never take the Beijing subway because to find the nearest subway station, I have first to take a taxi."

The fifth point is service. While young shop assistants and other employees are generally friendly (but not always competent), a large part of the local staff, specially in parks, museums and big supermarkets, is composed of (sexually frustrated?)middle-aged women who are rude, indifferent and lazy. There is a pervading mood of discontent and irritation in the city, which is quite comprehensible considering the high level of environmental stress, the lack of genuine community life (most "local" people are rootless domestic immigrants)and the political tyranny. Add to this the fierce competition for jobs, the money problems and all the cares inseparable from both great and modest affluence (blessed are the poor, indeed!). Almost everyone will try to rip you off. Money reigns supreme.

This is not to say that there aren't any beautiful or interesting places to see--the author of this guide has done a good job in this respect since he mentions not only the (fake) Great Wall at Badaling, but also other segments of the wall in wilder areas-- but most of them are outside the city. Or you have to be in the Forbidden City on a cold, rainy day or at the peak of a media-orchestrated flu epidemic, when the crowds are away. Even then, you will have to close your eyes often in order not to see all the jarring details I mentioned before.

You may appreciate the cheap food. The poor will still smile at you and greet you (while the new middle-class rich won't even look at you). The huge parks provide a welcome respite from the ugliness and noise of the rest of the city, but they are quite ordinary and, like the whole place, not genuinely Chinese, but a sloppy mixture of styles. Even here, under the shadow of gracious willows, your contemplation of the beautiful lotus ponds will often be interrupted by the awful noise of spitting indigenous males clearing their throats. This is China!

Remember the white tags of censorship in the book. And know that contrary to what the cover photograph wants you to believe, very few young people in Peking practice kungfu. These days they prefer to play basket-ball or electronic games.

PS: Read the "Ugly Chinaman" by Boyang to understand why this country has become such a mess.

Missing major component.......2006-08-22

The information is good but there are no Chinese characters of locations/names to show to taxi drivers. The pronunciations are just too difficult for some one not adept at languages or who has not studied some Chinese. I have taken over a dozen trips to China and find books with Chinese characters far more useful.

So much to see, so little time..........2006-08-12

Since I was on a guided tour, I used the book mainly to familiarize myself with the various sights and sounds. I agree with other reviewers who mentioned that some areas of the book are being outdated by the fast development of Beijing. Overall, the book is well put together and would have been useful if I had done more on my own. Would not hesitate to pick up a revised edition on my next trip to Beijing.

Accurate Information.......2006-03-26

Though I found the layout of this Lonely Planet book odd (even the Index is divided by topics), its content proved to be accurate. If you visit Beijing, expect very few people to speak even limited English.

Does the job.......2005-09-03

The latest edition of LP Beijing follows the new formatting that LP introduced in 2004 for its travel guides. There are inserts of colour photography for those of you so inclined. The Language section is OK, and chinese is used on the maps to assist you when dealing with taxi/bus drivers.

Generally speaking, the LP Beijing City Guide will do the job for short term visitors to the city, and these short term visitors are the target audience for these books. Those staying long term as ESL teachers or in other capacities will find it lacking after a while, but there is only so much you can squeeze into these books anyway.

Just a note to those planning on visiting the city in the next few months. A lot of the major sights, such as the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, are under restoration as part of the city's preparation for the 2008 Olympics (see the Olympic countdown clock outside the main entrance of the Museum of Chinese History), with scaffolding and workmen all over the show. You can still get into these places, but may not be able to see all the sights mentioned in the guidebook. But be sure to get a photo of the Starbucks which is slap bang in the middle of this historic city. Commercialism at its finest...

I'm normally a devoted LP customer, but I have to admit to making an impulse decision to purchase the Insight City Guide to Beijing. I found the Insight guide to be almost as good, particularly where maps are concerned. The Insight guide was also cheaper than the LP book, although I think the LP listed more activities. For me though, Lonely Planet still sets the standard for Travel Guides.

Average customer rating:

Lonely Planet Taiwan
Amateur Effort from Lonely Planet
Must have!
Tons of information, but not enough pictures
An ever useful guide

Lonely Planet Taiwan
Andrew Bender , Julie Grundvig , and Robert Kelly
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Taiwan | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

National Geographic Traveler: Taiwan (National Geographic Traveler)
Culture Shock! Taiwan: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette (Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette)
Taiwan Nelles Map (Nelles Maps) (Nelles Maps)
Lonely Planet Hong Kong & Macau
Forbidden Nation: A History of Taiwan

ASIN: 174059360X

Book Description

Ilha Formosa, the 'beautiful isle', is a modern society steeped in Chinese heritage, a land of tropical islands and mountain retreats, neon-lit noodle bars and teeming night markets. Whatever you crave - a soak at a hot spring, a temple-hopping itinerary - this is the only guide that puts it all in one book. From the practical to the inspirational, let us connect you with Taiwan.

• BE INSPIRED by itineraries through old Taiwan, new Taipei and the East Coast • ESCAPE to idyllic mountains, tropical islands and coastal strips with our excursion ideas • FEAST LIKE AN EMPEROR - our expert-written Food & Drink chapter is at your service • CROSS THE LANGUAGE BARRIER - with our extensive Language chapter and loads of Chinese script • GET AROUND - with the help of 78 detailed maps

Customer Reviews:

Lonely Planet Taiwan.......2007-06-05

This book was better than the National Geographic Traveler: Taiwan book that I bought for the same trip. A pretty comprehensive guide book that called out most of the important sites, hotels and restaurants. However, I felt the authors could have done a better job of highlighting more of the local eateries and explaining more about the local culture. The book also included maps, which were helpful.

Amateur Effort from Lonely Planet.......2007-04-20

I have a love/ hate relationship with Lonely Planet guides. On one hand I detest the `budget backpackers are holier than thou" attitude which seems to permeate many of the guides' contributions, on the other I am remarkably impressed with their information, maps, attention to detail and notes of interest- hence I continue to reference them. Previous LP guides which I have used and swear by for their usefulness include previous editions of Thailand, Bangkok City guide, Bali & Lombok and India to name a few.

Lonely Planet's Taiwan guide in a word...sucks. There is just too much information lacking from this guide for it to be considered anything near complete. As an example, the section for the city of Kaohsiung ( the second largest city in Taiwan) had all of six (count `em) six entries for hotels- in a major metropolitan city, and one in which I counted at least twice that amount before I even left the train station grounds. Albeit the information that is actually provided is quite sound, the considerable amount of lacking details make this guide not much more useful than maps and guide given out free at Taiwan's Tourist Information centers. In fact, it is surprising just how many times the authors flat out advise you to go to various Tourist info centers to gather required information- rather than write about it themselves. To get an idea of just how spartan this guide is, one only needs to look at the mere size of it. Compare LP's Taiwan with LP's Thailand or Bali (both excellent publications). Then take into consideration the sheer size of the country. LP's Taiwan is about the size of LP's Bali, when it really should be a lot closer the size of LP's Thailand. Recommend you only borrow this one just to orient yourself prior to going, then head straight to the nearest tourist info center for the real scoop.

Must have!.......2007-03-29

I brought both the Lonely Plant and National Geographic Guide to Taiwan. The Lonely Planet book was great! The Chinese characters were great for taxi drivers. There are not a lot a pictures, so the National Geographic Guide came in handy, too! If you are only buying one, the lonely planet guide is esssential.

Tons of information, but not enough pictures.......2007-01-12

I bought both the National Geographic Traveler and Lonely Planet guides for Taiwan before working there for a month. While I was there, I found that National Geographic Traveler was more useful for planning places to go and things to do because it uses in depth highlights of tourist spots to visit and has full color photos and drawings throughout. However, I found that the Lonely Planet guide had more information, both useful and not. It had descriptions, hours of operations, and costs for many destinations that both tourists and residents would frequent. It could be described as an insider's guide of what to do in Taiwan, but the quantity of information was more than the quality. Lonely Planet's few color plates were okay, but not as helpful as those found in the National Geographic Traveler. This made the Lonely Planet harder to decide what to do from the many options provided because the choice was usually only based on a couple of sentences. The maps were better in Lonely Planet, but I ended up using a tourist map when I was in Taipei.
I recommend getting both. I found that I would see interesting photos in National Geographic Traveler and then look up the information in Lonely Planet to decide if it was worth doing or not.

An ever useful guide.......2006-12-02

One of the best guides on Taiwan available in English. It is organized like most Lonely Planet guides with history, geography, and travel information followed by general thoughts on Taiwan then regional information. Anyone visiting the island knows what a complex and bewildering maze Taiwan is. The book does a fine job of making sense of it all. Of course, things change there all the time. On my first visits, private boating was prohibited. Now I believe it is available. Hualien has become much more a tourist center. The MRT has made simple convenient transport in Taipei and the surrounding cities a reality. As such, it is forgiveable if the book is not up to date on everything. Even so, it is often wonderfully effective in pointing out good things to see and places to sleep and eat while picking up on some more obscure matters like the Festival of Lanterns, a kind of fireworks equivalent of the running of the bulls. In some areas, the book seems limited by the interests of the author. Information on shopping in Taipei could certainly be expanded. Clearly no one could provide a perfect guide. Imagine someone having the time and money to explore all the restaurants of note in Taipei. Nevertheless, the book is essential reading for anyone traveling to Taiwan. Additionally there is expanded focus on the scenic east coast with more detailed treatment of the likely visitor's spot of Hualien. The fascinating town of Yingge which has been a pleasure to visit for many years but has been curiously absent from the guide finally gets a writeup.

Average customer rating:

Pretty good overall but too heavy for travelers
Lonely Planet Hong Kong & Macau
Good overall guidebook...
Great Guide!
Injustice!

Lonely Planet Hong Kong & Macau
Steve Fallon
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

Hong Kong | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

Macau | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Lonely Planet Beijing
Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides: Hong Kong (Eyewitness Travel Top 10)
Lonely Planet Shanghai
Frommer's Hong Kong (Frommer's Complete)
Lonely Planet Singapore

ASIN: 1740598431

Book Description

You'll fall in love with Hong Kong. And why not? Glittering skyscrapers and a world-famous shopping scene. Frenetic wet markets and the best dim sum ever. Spectacular hikes through jungle-covered islands. And don't forget the devil-may-care casino-hop through Macau. This indispensable guidebook is the key to all your Cantonese adventures. FIND YOUR WAY up winding side streets, navigate through every district - detailed and accurate maps make exploring easy. UNLEASH the gastronome within - insider reviews of the city's outstanding restaurant scene, from HK$10 noodles to decadent Chinese banquets. ESCAPE TO MACAU - extensive coverage takes you to historic cathedrals, temples, and the infamous casinos. SLEEP LIKE AN ANGEL in this city of bustle - the best accommodation options for every budget. EXPERIENCE a taste of China - shop to your heart's content in Shenzhen, then soak your tired feet in one of Zhuhai's hot springs.

Customer Reviews:

Pretty good overall but too heavy for travelers.......2007-04-12

If you're looking for a book with good background information and history lessons this is the one for you. It is not the book to take to walk around the city with. It is simply too heavy. Your best bet is to just cut out the walking maps to take with you before leaving your hotel room. I liked the little walking tour of the bird market, flower market and fish market in Kowloon. As far as the restaurant recommendations are concerned...don't bother looking at the book. Most of the listings are somewhat expensive by local standard and don't offer the best food. All you have to do to find a good meal is to walk around and go to one that's packed with locals. Restaurants are everywhere and most of them open until the wee hours of the morning. There's no fear of not getting good food in Hong Kong. Go ahead, try something you can't find at home.

Lonely Planet Hong Kong & Macau .......2007-01-05

This book gives ou a nice overview of the region, and incredible specific tips for visiting HK and Macau.

Good overall guidebook..........2006-04-16

I found this book to be extremely helpful in covering all the bases of transport, taxes, tipping, typical business hours, history, background, and a good overview of what's where, and how to get there. Often times, we'd have questions about things like poverty level, health coverage, average income, quality of water -- and found that the guide pretty much answered all of those, and more.

The maps aren't super, and because of the size of the book, it made it difficult to carry. Besides, if you're asking a local for directions, you'd want a bilingual map, as the English names of cities/stations drive them crazy. (ie, Mandarin romanizations in a Cantonese city) I do give it credit for accurately pointing out the numerous obscure markets in Tsim Sha Tsui, as well as the various shops in Hong Kong City. The walking guides were surprisingly useful.

The reason why I give it 4 stars is because HK is all about food and shopping, and the book came up seriously short on the food portion. (no pun intended) Despite it being only 3 months since publication (12th edition, Jan 2006) literally *every* restaurant this book recommended (of which we attempted to find) turned out to be non-existent, had changed ownership and had turned into some other shop. I attribute some of this to bad luck, but I seriously doubt the restaurants didn't *all* go out of business in the last 3 months, but rather that the information on the guide was a little outdated.

The section on food is one part I really relied upon to book to help me out, and was pretty disappointed when it didn't come through for me, as the alternatives to an English guidebook aren't great. The alternatives are to ask the hotel clerk (who will recommend the hotel restaurant), or a random stranger (who will recommend his friend/family's restaurant), or read a weekly magazine about which eateries are good (which require Chinese reading skills).

Despite my frugal 4 stars, this guide is considerably better than most, and is worth the small change to purchase, especially when compared to the amount of money you spent to book your vacation.

Great Guide!.......2005-09-25

This was the first time I bought a travel book from Lonely Planet. I loved it because it provides a historical as well as a modern background on the cities being visited. The recommendations for dinner, site-seeting, etc were great! The only thing I would've added is a rating of the top sites to see if you are only in the city for a short time.

Injustice!.......2005-01-15

This LP guide is a pretty good guide to HK and Macau. Being a foodie, I think their food guide section does not do HK's gastronomical scene justice! Beautiful food galore on the islands and LP can't even manage to cover half of that wonder. Oh well ;) Otherwise, it is quite a comprehensive guide to what's there to see around HK and Macau.

Average customer rating:

Out of Date
A weath of information
Excellent choice, great advice and very helpful
Lonely Planet Shanghai
Insightful

Lonely Planet Shanghai
Damian Harper , and Christopher Pitts
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Lonely Planet Beijing
Lonely Planet China
Lonely Planet Hong Kong & Macau
GROOVY MAP NýýN GUIDE SHANGHAI
Mandarin: Lonely Planet Phrasebook

ASIN: 1740599098

Book Description

Energy, excess, glamour: discover what today's Shanghai is all about. Rub shoulders with taichi experts and ballroom dancers along the historic Bund. Explore Shanghai's traditional temples and the coveted French Concession. Treat yourself to first-rate fusion cuisine and countless boutiques and markets - or just gobble dumplings by the dozen. This smart and streetwise guide will show you Shanghai's best-kept secrets. PICK UP THE PULSE of the city - we show you minimalist bars, hard-to-find clubs, acrobats and Chinese opera FIND IT WITH EASE - clear, user-friendly maps and Chinese script take you where you want to go ESCAPE AND EXPLORE - excursions to the gardens of Suzhou and the Southern Song capital, Hangzhou FEAST LIKE A LOCAL - opinionated reviews uncover the flavours of Shanghai, from the cheapest xiaolÃ³ngbao to the most decadent fine dining INDULGE in retail therapy - we show you Shanghai's best market bargains, boutiques and bazaars

Customer Reviews:

Out of Date.......2007-06-22

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.

A weath of information.......2007-05-12

I have read this book cover to cover in anticipation for my trip to Shanghai. I am hoping that it will save me time and money by giving me a view of the city and details that would take many months to aquire. It was an easy read and well organized. I would however recommend that you do a search online for hotel rooms as there are many deals in the hotel market that were not even mentioned in the book. Happy Trials, BB.

Excellent choice, great advice and very helpful.......2007-01-10

This book is amazing. First time using a guidebook and first for the Lonely Planet. Will definitely buy more. Maps wonderful, chinese names for everything and very good restaurant recommendations. Found a tiny restaurant off a back alley and was amazing for a great price. Wonderful spend and would recommend to everyone!!!

Lonely Planet Shanghai.......2007-01-05

This book gives ou a nice overview of the region, and incredible specific tips for visiting Shanghai.

Insightful.......2006-08-07

I recently returned from a trip to Shanghai and thought this was a great guide to the city. Although I love to explore most places on my own, I found Shanghai to be slightly intimidating (especially with all the ongoing construction), so I was definitely thankful I had this book with me.
Pros:
* Up-to-date information
* Offers a lot of good insight into Shanghai and the Shanghainese. I found the sections like identity, cuisine, economy, and architecture to be quite readable and interesting.
* Good maps
Cons:
* I was surprised by the other reviews, as my edition has Chinese for each address mentioned in the book. I agree that you initially expect the Chinese to be in the text (next to the romanization), but it's actually on the map keys. This is a minor flaw but did not affect me, as I often looked at the maps when I decided where to go. I guess if you never consult this section however, you might not realize that it's there.
Bottom line:
This was the most up-to-date guide I saw, and (as far as I know)is the only one with comprehensive listings in Chinese--they got me where I wanted to go every single time I took a cab. Good job.

Trans-Siberian Railway (Lonely Planet Travel Guides)

Average customer rating:

Good, but also get the Handbook
A generally good guide with what to see and historical context, but why is LP now targetting only the wealthy?

Trans-Siberian Railway (Lonely Planet Travel Guides)
Mark Elliott , and Robert Reid
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Trans-Siberian Handbook: Seventh Edition of the Guide to the World's Longest Railway Journey (Trailblazer Guides)
Lonely Planet Mongolia
Russia & Belarus (Lonely Planet Travel Guides)
Moscow (Lonely Planet City Guides)
Lonely Planet Mongolian Phrasebook

ASIN: 174059536X

Book Description

The only guidebook you'll need on this epic train journey. Ride the rails through Russia in a week, or take a month to explore Siberian outback towns, learn throat singing in the wild Tuva Republic or meet Mongolian nomads. This inspirational guide will help you to make the most of every moment during this trip of a lifetime.

TALK LIKE A LOCAL - Russian, Mandarin and Mongolian language guides including helpful phrases and extended food glossaries. NEVER GET LOST - with 65 maps of major cities and regions, train routes and coverage of the BAM for the truly adventurous. TRAVEL SMART - new trip-planning and itineraries chapters to help you devise your route. KEEP GOOD COMPANY - our expert authors have been everywhere and done it all to help make your journey more rewarding and hassle-free. BE IN THE KNOW - in-depth history, culture, environment and cuisine chapters will keep you informed (and entertained) en route.

Customer Reviews:

Good, but also get the Handbook.......2007-06-08

What you'd expect from Lonely Planet--useful but not comprehensive. I would recommend getting both this and the Trans-Siberian Handbook. It can be a little difficult to find (especially if you don't want to wait 6 weeks).

A generally good guide with what to see and historical context, but why is LP now targetting only the wealthy?.......2007-05-22

I used the first edition of Lonely Planet's TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY guide on a Trans-Manchurian journey three years ago, and picked up the second edition (April 2006) for a Trans-Mongolian journey I'm embarking on tomorrow. The book is a very useful resource for this great train journey, especially for those planning to disembark in the many cities and towns en route.

The guide covers all three traditional Trans-Siberian lines and the cities along them: Moscow-Vladivostok, Moscow-Ulan Bator-Beijing, and Moscow-Harbin-Beijing. It also covers the Baikal-Amur Mainline, a northern Siberian route that is still little-used by Western travelers (or even by Russians, for that matter). The reference material is substantial, with plenty of information on the food and drink of the countries one can visit, and a good history of the railway from its construction through all of the political turmoils since. The listings of large cities such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Ulan Bator, and Beijing are abridged extracts from the RUSSIA, MONGOLIA, and CHINA guides, respectively, with only a couple of days worth of sightseeing, and one main walking tour selected.

What don't I like about the book? Well, as with every Lonely Planet title since they changed their philosophy a few years ago, I'm unhappy with the lack of budget advice and the inclusion of hotels and restaurants priced for a crowd with enough money that they'd probably look to other publishers anyway. For pete's sake, the "Author's Choice" for Moscow lodging, the Golden Apple Hotel, is nearly three hundred euro a night! Despite what you may have heard, Russia is indeed a budget destination, especially if you choose to stay for free with hosts from hospitality associations and self-cater or eat at student canteens. It's a pity that Lonely Planet no longer gives meaningful advice on lodging and food to any but the wealthiest of travelers.

A further problem is that the book was kept a little too slim for a Lonely Planet guide. Obviously minor cities on the route like Yoshkar-Ola have been left out, that's understandable. But it's odd that the authors are so passionate about the variant Moscow to Yekaterinaburg through Kazan, and yet give Kazan awfully meagre coverage. Twice interesting hikes are mentioned (one in Ulan Bator and another along the Great Wall), but without enough details to comfortably set off, or even for a local to know what it's about and give you pointers. And some things present in the first edition are no longer here, such as the little box explaining how there are no passenger crossings from Siberia to Alaska.

The other big Trans-Siberian guide is Bryn Thomas' Trans-Siberian Handbook (Trailblazer Publications, 7th ed. 2006), which has been around for a long time and sees a new edition fairly frequently. Ideal for those in love in train travel, not just those looking to get from point A to point B, Thomas' guide contains things to look out for according to the kilometer markings along the railway. If your backpack isn't already too heavy, I say get that book as well.

Lonely Planet Books:

Lonely Planet Books

Lonely Planet Books