Lonely Planet China

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

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