If the ratings allowed, I would evaluate this book as 3 1/2***. Comparing this with Open Road for the traveler, my rating must stand. There are other books that I will put in second and third place (this in fourth). However, comparing these with Fodor and the like, I would place this at the top. The question becomes one of deciding who the book really serves. While labeled as being for the "traveler," one who moves around and stays in places for short or long times usually alone or in a small group, I see this book as fine for the "tourist," one who comes to visit a country, see a few big cities and sites, often with n an organized group or structured itinerary.

The tourist doesn't have to be concerned about what to do in an emergency in a given community. The tourist is more interested in learning who to file a complaint in case something goes wrong in a community or with any of its merchants or features. For example look at the information on Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province, on the east coast of China across from Taiwan. There is no population or temperature data at the start of this section(P. 317). There are no estimated prices to take a bus, train or plane to Hong Kong, Xiamen or Shanghai. There is a brief section identifying a few major hotels and two restaurants outside of the hotels in Fuzhou. But, for excursions and day trips there is more information than many of the other books with which this is being compared. In the "Practical Information" section (Pp. 322-323), there are five travel services identified, a place for tourists to file complaints and a tourist hotline. Other books focusing more on travelers would include practical information on police, health care facilities, postal services and media. Fuzhou is a city gaining more importance due to location and the expansion of the Hong Kong/Canton trading areas.

Fuzhou is listed in Chapter 16, Pp. 317-420 "EAST CHINA." This chapter includes many other cities such as Nanjing, Wuxi and Suzhou. But, there is no separate map for East China. There are individual maps for Nanjing (5.5 million) and Qingdao (2 million) but no other cities. Also some of the cities listed cannot be found on the overall China map, even if over one million people live in them.

Chapter 15 "SHANGHAI" on Pp. 275-316 covers China's second or third most populated city, depending if Hong Kong is counted (not by this author). The chapter presents lots of helpful information on hotels, places to eat by cuisine type, night life and shopping. There is also 1 1/2 pages devoted to excursions outside of Shanghai. But, Shanghai is such an exciting, growing city that one can stay in it for a while. "Shanghai is the best city to shop in China outside of Hong Kong for selection and quality, and time should be set aside here to shop if interested" (P. 308). There is a short "Sidebar" on P. 304 "FOLLOW PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SHANGHAI ITINERARY." The code of the Shanghai map on P. 289 does not show locations of the Shanghai Library, General Motors Plant or Portman Hotel (585 rooms were used by the group).

There are good bits of information on China but I could not find a list of Chinese and English words. Rely on a guide and take a small Chinese/English dictionary.

China is a safe, fascinating country. This book is enjoyable, especially for tourists. The Center for Disease Control and author recommends some shots that should be taken. ...END

As I get ready for a summer trip to China, there are many practical things I wanted to know about. What to expect in a Chinese toilet for example. What to shop for where. And a mydrid of other questions. I've never been to the east and I had no idea what I might be putting myself in for. Therefore, I needed the information this book has to offer. I won't really be going to the big tourist places and this book offered much reasonable advice on what to expect where. And it covers almost any area or city one might reasonable expect to go to. It (or pertenent parts) will definitely be in my pack when I leave.

Although things are changing so fast in China that no book can be absolutely up to date, this one is excellent. Before going on a 12 day (June 25-July 6, 2001) China tour I spent over $100 on guide books. This one went with me.

Tips about what to do & watch out for in everything from hotels, touring, tipping, eating etc. were good, valid, clear and - most importantly - easy to find in the book when you're in a hurry on a crowded street in Beijing.

While some other books simply tell you to beware of rip offs - with cab drivers for example, this book goes on to tell you what you should expect to pay.

There are also small history sections for lots of key cities. Although I was on a hand held tour for 12 days, I kept this book in my carryon wherever I went - plane, ship, or bus!