China Travel Guides

It is a near necessity that you go to China with at least one travel guide. Over the years, I’ve accumulated about 4 or 5. If nothing else, it gives me something to read and get excited about during my 15 hour flight to China. I’m also a big picture person and love looking through each book’s pictures.

Best General China Travel Guides

  • 1032 Pages (1.8 pounds)
  • Revised May 1, 2009
  • Pros: Comprehensive specifics of China. Good inclusion of Chinese characters
  • Cons: No subway maps, incorrect times, costs, slightly outdated information, less pictures than Eyewitness Travel Guide (see below)

Amazon.com: Lonely Planet China Guide Page

  • 672 Pages (2.2 pounds)
  • Revised March 21, 2010
  • Pros: A great collection of photos and illustrations, easy to use
  • Cons: Not as detailed as the Lonely Planet book, so shouldn’t be the only book for a single traveler

Amazon.com: Eyewitness China Guide Page

  • Title: Fodor’s China, 6th Edition (Fodor’s Gold Guides)
  • 720 Pages (1.4 pounds)
  • Revised May 19, 2009
  • Pros: Fodor’s choice section — tells you where to go in touristy areas, fairly good commentaries, good historical coverage
  • Cons: Lacks in pictures and less detailed than the Lonely Planet guide.

Amazon.com: Fodor’s China Guide Page

  • Title: China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps
  • 192 Pages (4 ounces)
  • Revised Feb 1, 2008
  • Pros: Quick fun read, low price, stories of author rarely detailed elsewhere, recommended for those of you excited about fake markets and the quirkiness of China
  • Cons: Some of the information is dated and extreme for the purpose of telling an entertaining story.

Amazon.com: China Survival Guide Page

  • Title: Frommer’s China
  • 896 Pages (1.4 pounds)
  • Revised Mar 15, 2010
  • Pros: Section in the back listing different food dishes to help you with your orders. Maps of each city. Accurate information. Written by those with extensive living in China experience.
  • Cons: Limited listings of budget hotels and budget restaurants. Not really for the budget traveler.

Amazon.com: Frommer’s China Guide Page

Best Shanghai Travel Guide

  • Title: Discover Shanghai (Lonely Planet Travel Guide)
  • 276 Pages (9.1 Ounces)
  • Revised Mar 1, 2010
  • Pros: Good combo of pictures and text. Overall, best Shanghai guide available.
  • Cons: No mention of the Shanghai Expo.

Best Beijing Travel Guide

  • Title: Beijing and Shanghai (Eyewitness Travel Guide)
  • 240 Pages (15.2 Ounces)
  • Revised Oct 19, 2009
  • Pros: Great use of pictures, more accurate and helpful than any of the other Beijing travel guides. The bonus is that it also includes Shanghai
  • Cons: Limited use of Chinese characters

    • Amazon.com: Eyewitness Travel Beijing and Shanghai Guide Page

Best Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou Travel Guide

  • Title: Time Out Hong Kong: Macau and Guangzhou (Time Out Guides)
  • 316 Pages (14.1 Ounces)
  • Revised Mar 30, 2007
  • Pros: Decent overview of all three cities, good use of pictures.
  • Cons: Not a very favorable description of Guangzhou. No overview of Shenzhen. Updated in 2007.

    • Amazon.com: Time Out Guide to Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou Page