The bestselling author of The Sex Lives of Cannibals returns with a sharply observed, hilarious account of his adventures in China—a complex, fascinating country with enough dangers and delicacies to keep him, and readers, endlessly entertained. Maarten Troost has charmed legions of readers with his laugh-out-loud tales of wandering the remote islands of the South Pacific. When the travel bug hit again, he decided to go big-time, taking on the world’s most populous and intriguing nation. In Lost on Planet China, Troost escorts readers on a rollicking journey through the new beating heart of the modern world, from the megalopolises of Beijing and Shanghai to the Gobi Desert and the hinterlands of Tibet. Lost on Planet China finds Troost dodging deadly drivers in Shanghai; eating Yak in Tibet; deciphering restaurant menus (offering local favorites such as Cattle Penis with Garlic); visiting with Chairman Mao (still dead, very orange); and hiking (with 80,000 other people) up Tai Shan, China’s most revered mountain. But in addition to his trademark gonzo adventures, the book also delivers a telling look at a vast and complex country on the brink of transformation that will soon shape the way we all work, live, and think. As Troost shows, while we may be familiar with Yao Ming or dim sum or the cheap, plastic products that line the shelves of every store, the real China remains a world—indeed, a planet--unto itself. Maarten Troost brings China to life as you’ve never seen it before, and his insightful, rip-roaringly funny narrative proves that once again he is one of the most entertaining and insightful armchair travel companions around.

'The Most Basic Chinese' teaches all the Mandarin you need to survive, enabling you to learn everything you need simply and effortlessly. To begin, let’s get one thing straight – it is extremely easy to learn all the Basic Chinese you will need if you are travelling to or intending to live in China. This booklet gives you all of that language and is presented in a simple way. It can be easily studied on the plane journey over or any other time, and is entirely sufficient to be able to get by once you are there. So don’t be fooled booklet length – once you have mastered this small amount of Basic Chinese, you will have reached the same level as thousands of people who have lived, worked and survived in China for years. It begins with the very simple (10 most useful phrases for a newcomer), then builds on this in easy stages to demonstrate how easy it is to speak Basic Chinese as well as give you the language and knowledge to do so. With this booklet, you will already have picked up a great deal of the language and grammar as well as a great sense of how easy it is. You will also find 'The Most Basic Chinese' an invaluable tool to keep with you for its simple presentation of the language needed for various situations – e.g. in a taxi, restaurant, bar or shop. Good luck and safe travels! NB: The "Chinese" referred to in this book is Mandarin or Standard Chinese, understood by most Chinese people.

One of The Economist's Best Books of the Year From the bestselling author of Oracle Bones and River Town comes the final book in his award-winning trilogy on the human side of the economic revolution in China. Peter Hessler, whom the Wall Street Journal calls "one of the Western world's most thoughtful writers on modern China," deftly illuminates the vast, shifting landscape of a traditionally rural nation that, having once built walls against foreigners, is now building roads and factory towns that look to the outside world.

A New York Times Notable Book Winner of the Kiriyama Book Prize In the heart of China's Sichuan province, amid the terraced hills of the Yangtze River valley, lies the remote town of Fuling. Like many other small cities in this ever-evolving country, Fuling is heading down a new path of change and growth, which came into remarkably sharp focus when Peter Hessler arrived as a Peace Corps volunteer, marking the first time in more than half a century that the city had an American resident. Hessler taught English and American literature at the local college, but it was his students who taught him about the complex processes of understanding that take place when one is immersed in a radically different society. Poignant, thoughtful, funny, and enormously compelling, River Town is an unforgettable portrait of a city that is seeking to understand both what it was and what it someday will be.

Antique yet up-to-the-minute, familiar yet unrecognizable, outwardly urban but quintessentially rural, conservative yet path-breaking China is a land of mesmerizing and eye-opening contradictions. Damian Harper, Lonely Planet Writer Our Promise You can trust our travel information because Lonely Planet authors visit the places we write about, each and every edition. We never accept freebies for positive coverage, and you can rely on us to tell it like we see it. Inside This Book 11 intrepid authors198 maps76 temples&monasteries100s of noodle spotsInspirational photosClear, easy-to-use mapsHong Kong&Beijing pull-out mapSpecial Great Wall featureComprehensive planning toolsIn-depth background

"The problems we talk about are for the most part neglected by most travel guidebooks. We tell you what hassles and headaches you might encounter and how to best deal with them. . . . If you should find yourself in a potentially awkward situation, we hope that we can get you out of it with very little drama."-from the introductionOriginally released in time for the China Olympics, this little book immediately caught on with first-time and seasoned travelers thanks to its compact format, affordability, and reliable information delivered with savvy humor. The authors have now improved their work with new sections on critical issues like air travel and appropriate clothing, lots of data updates and fresh recommendations, plus all-new photographs and captions to make the book even more fun to browse. Uniquely designed to address all the travails of being a foreign tourist in China, it includes practical checklists on transportation, lodging, walking, haggling, medical and bathroom emergencies, etiquette, crowds, and learning the twin arts of patience and persistence.Here are just a few examples of this title's many unsolicited rave online reviews:"Oh my gosh, the book's description of the crazy drivers, the toilets, the waiting in line, was so helpful."—Houston, TX"I have been to China fourteen times, but still learned so much from this book."—Platte, SD"I just returned from ten days in China and this book was by far my favorite."—Bainbridge Island, WALarry Herzberg and Qin Herzberg are professors of Chinese language and culture at Calvin College in Michigan. They travel to China every year, and have been featured travel experts on MSNBC and other outlets.

DK Eyewitness Top 10: Hong Kong travel guide will lead you straight to the best attractions Hong Kong has to offer. Whether you're looking for the liveliest nightlife in Hong Kong, wish to view the amazing skyline or discover the city's captivating museums and modernist architecture; this pocket-sized travel guide is packed with essential information for every corner Hong Kong, whatever your budget. There are dozens of Top 10 lists; including the Top 10 ways to experience the real China, Hong Kong's Top 10 most thrilling festivals, the Top 10 greatest modernist buildings in Hong Kong and the Top 10 best places to shop. Top 10 Hong Kong travel guide is packed with over 350 beautiful illustrations, photographs, and detailed cutaways of the greatest attractions with reviews and recommendations of Hong Kong's best hotels, bars and clubs which will ensure you won't miss a thing!Each Top 10 guide now contains a pull-out map and guide that includes fold-out maps of city metro systems, useful phone numbers, and 60 great ideas on how to spend your day.Your guide to the Top 10 best of everything in Hong Kong.

DK Eyewitness Travel's full-color guidebooks to hundreds of destinations around the world truly show you what others only tell you. They have become renowned for their visual excellence, which includes unparalleled photography, 3-D mapping, and specially commissioned cutaway illustrations. DK Eyewitness Travel Guides are the only guides that work equally well for inspiration, as a planning tool, a practical resource while traveling, and a keepsake following any trip. Each guide is packed with the up-to-date, reliable destination information every traveler needs, including extensive hotel and restaurant listings, themed itineraries, lush photography, and numerous maps.