China: Renaissance of the Middle Kingdom

Description

Home to one-fifth of the world's population and heir to the richest civilization in history, China continues to exert a magnetic attraction on visitors. Archaeological treasures, architectural masterpieces, stunning natural beauty and the inexhaustible variety of its people make any visit to China an unforgettable experience. China has so many diverse regions that visitors often have difficulty in knowing where to begin. This guide helps narrow the options. As well as detailed descriptions of the larger cities, their environs and all the main tourist sites, there is a selection of suggested expeditions for the more adventurous, including the more remote provinces and several climbable mountains. Special sections examine such topics as Chinese opera, calligraphy and painting, and opportunities for seeing unique wildlife. This is the ninth edition. It provides a concise introduction to China 'then' and China 'now'. It now features World Heritage Sites: China's 35 top cultural and scenic treasures. This classic, strong seller is thoroughly redesigned and updated. It provides coverage on select remote regions as well as the most visited cities and sites. It covers The Great Wall and China's modern architectural wonders. It is beautifully illustrated. It is updated by resident writers and researchers. It provides a comprehensive list of websites for further research and reading.

Charis Chan is the author of several excellent books about China, including Imperial China: Architectural Guide for Travelers (Penguin, London); Collins Illustrated Guide to All China (Collins) and China: the Middle Kingdom (McGraw Hill/Contemporary). She lives in Dorset, England. Jeremy Tredinnick is a Hong Kong-based writer, photographer and editor. An inveterate traveller, he has split his career between bouts of Asian exploration - producing features for many top travel publications - and periods as editor-in-chief of Action Asia magazine, and managing editor of publications such as Silk Road, Dynasty and Morning Calm. He is the co-author and editor of Odyssey's Kazakhstan: Nomadic Routes from Caspian to Altai and Xinjiang: China's Central Asia.