China (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE) Reviews

• Good intro guide

  
  By A2UN4S3N7VYLEV on 2006-10-15
  I used two tour books to plan my trip to China: Eyewitness for the general details of the itinerary, and Lonely Planet for the logistical details. The Eyewitness guide has a massive amount of beautiful photographs and illustrations that help give the traveler an idea of the sights he or she can choose from, which is very important--unless you have a year or so to spare, planning a trip to China is as much about choosing what NOT to see as it is choosing what to see. I could also see this being the perfect guide for the more casual traveler; someone in a tour group or someone accompanying a designated "navigator."
  
  That being said, if you are traveling solo (that is, not in a tour group or other organized group of some kind) you will also want to have a more "details-heavy" guide such as the Lonely Planet, which is full of details Eyewitness does not have, including bilingual maps and place names, as well as more and deeper descriptions of sightseeing locations, hotels, restaurants, and nightlife.
  
  All tour books have their strengths and weaknesses, and although the lesser amount of logistical details is the main drawback of Eyewitness China, the large number of helpful photos and illustrations is its main strength. Although solo travelers will need a little more than this, for the casual or group traveler this guide alone would probably be more than enough to enjoy your trip to the Middle Kingdom.
  
  

• good guide book, recommended over Lonely Planet

  
  By A2RW587355CMVA on 2006-11-28
  This is actually my fourth DK guide book. Prior to DK Eyewitness China, I've used Eyewitness Great Britain, Eyewitness London, and Eyewitness Paris on my previous backpacking/business trips. Never had any problems with any of the aforementioned titles. So this year, my wife and I decided to use the DK Eyewitness China for our 3.5 week vacation in the Middle Kingdom. We have also brought a copy of Lonely Planet, figuring it would give us more information over the image-intensive DK guide. The decision to bring along the Lonely Planet guide turned out to be a mistake and an extra pound or two that we didn't really need in our suitcase. The few times we attempted to use the Lonely Planet guide for information on various cities, we found exactly none of the information we needed. Instead, we got an earful of ramblings intended for college backpacking kids. DK guide, on the other hand, provided very easy to use maps and no-nonsense information. If you're exploring a major site, DK's 3d pictorial coverage is especially helpful in term of quickly orienting yourself. Sure, this book doesn't cover everything. Frankly, overall, Lonely Planet probably does offer more information - if you have the patience to read through all the horrible writings to get to the point. But if you want a highly usable and well-designed tour book that's lean and mean, this one is for you. Recommended.
  
  

• Useful book, but kind of outdated!

  
  By ACW8HGHTSFPPX on 2005-08-24
  This is a book trying to fit 5,000 years of history. It succeeds in doing that and gives every first timers a lot of details about the places they are visiting. However, the pictures they use cannot compare with other DK series books, they are old (some from the 70s) and therefore not showing the real country as it is now.
  So get your camera and go to see it yourself.
  
  

• 4.5 Stars... Great introductory guide

  
  By A14GK0E64J0WAS on 2007-04-08
  In preparing for a recent business trip to China (my first time going there), I asked one of my (Chinese national) colleagues for a few suggested books that provide a good overview of China, both from the historical perspective as well as the "touristy" perspective, and this is the book that was recommended to me.
  
  I've had "China (Eyewitness Travel Guides)" (672 pages) for a couple of months, and found it fascinating reading but really didn't want to judge it until I had a chance to put it to the test while traveling in China. Well, I am here to tell you that the book performed great from that perspective as well. But before we get to that, let me point out that the first 70 pages of the book, providing a general overview and a summary of China's 5000 year history are nothing short of essential, and one of the things that set this book apart from many other China travel guides.
  
  The real test of the book came for me when I was in some of the not so obvious places on my trip. Yes, we all have heard about and know some things of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, but what about places like Xi'An (in Shaanxi Province) and Xiamen (in Fujian Province), which I happened to visit. The information provided by this book is just excellent, and helped me prepare, both mentally and otherwise, for my trip. I agree that the "Where to Stay" and "Where to Eat" sections in the back of the book are not the best parts of the book, and frankly I did not use them for my trip, although I did find the practical tips such as "Do's and Don'ts of Eating Etiquette" quite helpful. Not only does this book make a great travel guide, but it is on top of that available here on Amazon for 40% off of the book's cover price. You can't go wrong with this.
  
  

• The best we got

  
  By A1769CV58NI1Q4 on 2005-10-11
  Although China is one of the most popular destination today, amazingly there is very little good reference book about it.
  This is one of the good one; a continuing great series of DK.
  However, perhaps because China is so large, each province only have a small coverage about them. Won't satisfy the thirst of a comprehensive information on China.
  
  
• A great introduction to China
  By A1VIUUTAIIH90S on 2006-01-31
  I've been reading several books lately on China and looking a great amount online. I've found lots of articles, but this book deffinately delivered the pictures and great quick facts about the entire area of China. Very much like a book version of the Discovery Channel.
  That said, it's just an introduction to China compared to several other books I've read. It's great to give you ideas about where you want to visit in china and to give you a first impression to a new culture. However if you believe looks aren't everything then I hope this isn't your one and only purchase unpon your journey to learn about China.
  
  
• Good eyewitness guide
  By A3N1JZR3R3RGK9 on 2007-01-18
  I am a graduate student in US but came from China. This book has a lot of vivid pictures and illustrations. I bought this book because I want to know what China is from the point of view of the US tourists. Although I had been in China for 27 years before I came to US, I only visited limited places that the book covered. I think this book is very nice and interesting because it contains some personal experiences of the author(s). However, in the first chapter, I still found some misunderstandings or incorrect information about marriage of people from 1949 to 1980's. Anyway, these are not related to eyewitness guide to travel. But as a travel guide, it is great!
  
  
• China (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
  By A14HMXU16FYIXF on 2006-03-03
  We are planning a trip to China this April and checked this book out from our local Library. After viewing this book and the great detail descriptions and photo's of the various attractions, I decided to purchase it. We had previously purchased a book on China at our local AAA, but I feel that this book is far better.
  
  
• Unexpectedly the perfect guide book for planning a trip
  By A37NDR3D9QSVCW on 2007-04-10
  I've been a devoted fan of Let's Go (back in the 80's), transitioned to Lonely Planet (the 90's) and experimented with Rough Guides and Moon books for all my world travels. I shunned the glossy photo-rich books as being too short on valuable content and too heavy and thick to carry. But after reading all the site reviews, I bought this along with Rough Guide (also highly praised), and wow, I am a total convert. I am actually halfway through reading it cover-to-cover, and the photos are invaluable in helping us decide where to spend our free time in China. You won't be disappointed.
  
  
• great
  By A1GQV0OTVPNTDL on 2006-08-01
  The book has a little heft to it (as in weight not dialogue) but the photos and insightful captions make it worth the carrying. It is more an intro guide than a map for an experienced Asian traveler. Much more an introduction and overview of the biggie tourist attrations (w/good pictures and great basic synopsis)than a treasure map to some hole in the wall establishment or practical contact information for reservations. It offers a great addition to any scrapbook. We took it on a group excurision and ended up passing it around to several others who showed great interest in browsing the pages and ultimately lent it to a couple of travalers who spent weeks following this text's advice for their day trips.
  
  
• Great For Travel & History. Very thourough & informative
  By A2S2I9T4XHV62 on 2005-09-25
  I like all the eyewitness guides. The China guide includes very informative information for travel tips as well as interesting background on sights interest and goes into detail about each sight. Highly recomended.
  
  
• Great
  By A2501TJ1UY5Z09 on 2006-08-31
  We travel a lot and find some information books better than others. For China, we would recommend the Eyewitness Travel Guide. It is excellent. Very thorough; great photos; wonderful information and helpful, too!
  
  
• Best travel guide
  By AVKVGHNRFFMCB on 2005-09-23
  DK is the best on travel guides, it provides you all you have to know about any place. What makes it different is the pictures you can see, so you can really pick the places you like most.
  
  
• Excellent
  By A1LDDK3WCBEEUB on 2006-08-14
  This is a superb book. I actually bought it after returning from China earlier this summer because I found myself borrowing a friend's copy while on the trip. It includes great information about the culture as wells a places, and it is richly illustrated.
  
  
• DK China
  By A2K22O4P5BZBZN on 2006-08-27
  This DK travel guide - like all of DK publications - is an excellent source of travel information on China. We always look for a DK guide when visiting a new city or country.
  
  
• Excellent China Travel Resource
  By A1KYOPVYLK3F2L on 2007-01-10
  This guide proved to be an excellent resource for our trip to mainland China (Dec, 06). As a first-time traveler, I appreciated the tips on customs, eating, bathroom facilities, tipping, etc. The street guide for Beijing was extremely useful. The history section and timeline were interesting reading on the flight home. Our son, who is living in Yunnan Province, used to guide to plan some future trips of his own.
  
  
• Slick and beautiful, but not that utilitarian
  By AZALKLI6E08UF on 2007-04-01
  This book is probably the nicest guide book out there to look at, full of color pictures and interesting diagrams. Gives great context and snapshots of a city or town, breaking out the key places to visit. Where it comes up short is as a tool for traveling. Hotel and restaurant info is way in the back away and cumbersome to look up. Almost no info is provided on how to get around (busses, trains, flights) making it of very limited use while on the road. I now copy a couple pages to take with me and bring a Lonely Planet as a reference guide.
  
  
• China
  By A3MSRBUHB6UCSN on 2007-01-10
  China (Eyewitness Travel Guides) is the best book for traveler, which is going to visit China. Of course, it's only my opinion. There are a lot of helpful information about everything! This book is the best of my purchases!
  
  
• Excellent Guide
  By A1VW9C2XRMIATL on 2007-02-22
  Preparing to make a visit to China in the coming March, I am glad to have this book in my hands before leaving. It is so full of information about China that I, almost, feel as if I have already been to the place.
  
  The set-up of the book is also very well designed. A lot of colorful pictures embroider the pages.
  
  I think this guide book worths its value.
  
  
• EYE WITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES
  By A250R49NYM7H5T on 2007-01-10
  DK Publishing produces one of the very best travel guides: Best paper, best directions, photography, maps, etc. The only minus is that they are heavy to carry with you when trekking around the world. But that is what you have to endure for high quality. And I always have mine with me.
  
  Also, their specialized editions on music, art, etc. are also great!
  
  
• Excellent in some ways
  By A1RF72DTFSBRKB on 2007-05-30
  Very informatve regarding Beijing local culture and ambience but not the most practical for tourist info.
  
  
• Everything you want to know
  By A3QJLFA6EECU3W on 2007-05-13
  This is an excellent guidebook for those who are going to China. It includes everything from history to restaurants to maps and culture. It highlights must see places within the places that are known tourist attractions. I found it extremely useful.
  
  
• A must for any traveler
  By A6I2ECNHIFH5W on 2007-09-25
  The eyewitness travel series is the book of choice for any travel. And the China version doesn't miss.
  
  I traveled to China for vacation 2.5 years ago when I didn't have the Eyewitness guide. I got a good sense of my travels a the time by reading multiple books and asking my guide many questions.
  
  However in my trip this year...I had the Eyewitness guide. It not only strengthened my understanding of the many places, events, and culture which I experienced 2.5 years ago...it prepared me to open my eyes to a whole new world when I traveled in 2007.
  
  What sets DK apart is that it gives you not only practical information...But provide maps/pictures/illustrations which other's cannot present. And this is all that much important for the Western traveler where China is still in the process of fine tuning tourism and how sights are communicated to visitors.
  
  I recommend Eyewitness guides not only for any vacation...but especially for travels to China.
  
  
• china book
  By A3AIGPK34FOX6P on 2006-07-24
  very helpful, it is a travel book in very good condition. I got all the information I need
  
  
• DK Publishing THE BEST TOUR BOOKS!!
  By AFD95RJYPNZAB on 2006-11-01
  I love DK Publishing for their kids books as well as their travel books. Words can make a place seem great, and when you get there, the reality is VERY disapointing. DK SHOWS you most everything so you KNOW what they are talking about. I buy their books without the slightest hesitation. Buy with 100% confidence any DK Publishing product!
  
  
• Best Travel Guide!
  By A1J5DM6YMYC6KX on 2007-06-11
  After spending a month in China on our own, we found this book to be the best and most helpful of what to do, see and points of interest we would have never known about!
  
  
• An ok Travel guide but really much more
  By A1O4VYJPIK20V on 2007-12-28
  Trying to review this book is somewhat hard, technically it's a travel guide and as that its ok, but its really more than that. Its one of the best birds eye views of the major attractions in China. Kind of a Whats-What of China. Having been to China on several trips I can personally attest to the quality of the selection and information.
  
  They Layout is organized by region, usually two provinces to a Chapter. You get a brief overview of the province, then it moves to 1-2 pages per location (maybe a city or a park) in that province. The information is a smorgasborg of text, photos and illustrations. It covers the major attractions and why they are significant. The photographs are stunning (if small by necessity). The information is both informative and concise. Its amazing how much stuff they've packed in there.
  
  Sprinkled throughout the chapters are various shorts (1-2 pages) on Chinese history and culture. Again high level concise information but enough to get you started.
  
  The construction of the book is way above your newsprint guides. Its got good binding, vinyl covers and slick glossy pages. Top notch.
  
  The only thing I would knock it for is that as a travel guide its travel nuts and bolts (specific places to stay, eat, shop, train schedules, directions etc) is pretty weak. They have some information but it tends to be focused more on the high end stuff rather than the budget backpacker.
  
  This book is best bought, used and enjoyed as a overall reference book on China for people who just want to know more. As a travel guide it is a good source of information to get you started, but its not where you'll finish. You'll want to look at other information and resources when it comes to the specifics of your journey.
  
  So to Recap
  
  Pros
  Excellent Photos, text and diagrams
  Well organized
  Concise chocked full of info
  Good quality printing and binding
  Wide variety of information
  
  Cons
  Weak on travel specific information
  
  Conclusion
  A great book for someone thinking of a trip to china and wondering "what is there to see" as well as reference to China and its many highlights.
  
  
  
• China
  By AKEUX3KN9YFEE on 2007-08-04
  I good tourist guide to China. I have used Eyewitness Travel Guides for other coutries when traveling and have found them very helpful and informative. Great reference to refer to when planning your trip and to look back at day to day while there.
  
  
• Wonderful Photos, Loads of Detail
  By A1XXSZCR3FAVAK on 2007-10-25
  This was my first Eyewitness Travel Guide, and I must say that it's really quite good. Photos, photos, and more photos, and lots of great feature pages (language and script, landscape and wildlife - by region, and so on). Also, superb diagrams permeate the pages, like the one of Shanghai's Bund. You no longer have to match number 23 to the 23 in a list of microscopic place names on another page, nor will you realize later that what you thought was (for example) the Palace Hotel was really, say, the Chartered Bank of India. Also, this type of book is outstanding in that it will show you something you are unfamiliar with and explain it to you. Ever wondered what all the different components of a temple are called or what their purpose is? Go to the archictecture section and look it up.
  
  I only have a couple of wee complaints. The map in the front would be much better if it were fold out and/or divided into provinces. Also, another map should be included to show rail lines and major roads without obscuring the provinces, etc. The two maps provided are OK, but you'll probably need other ones. Such a high quality book deserves better maps. Also, it's really very heavy, but I suppose that can't be helped. You'd have to be pretty adventurous to only use this guide book, but it would make an excellent supplement to a "traditional" one. Ideal for a couple. One can figure out where to stay, where the bus station is, etc., and the other can carry this volume and - in spite of the weight - be enlightened.
  
  Troy Parfitt, author
  
  
• Among DK's Finest
  By A1U1ALQQMB6J22 on 2007-10-19
  DK has again produced a fantastic guide - this time for all of China. While it is not definitive, and in know way can be, it covers an amazinginly large portion of the country, in good detail, and with DK's signature photographs. I saw many pictures in here of places in China I'd never seen before, and made me want to explore more of the country. I hope they publish a new edition soon though, before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
  
  

• Beijing and Shanghai (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
• Lonely Planet China
• Japan (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
• The Rough Guide to China 4 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
• Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides: Hong Kong (Eyewitness Travel Top 10)