China Survival Guide: How To Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps

by Larry Herzberg, Qin Herzberg

"The problems we talk about are for the most part neglected by most travel guidebooks. We tell you what hassles and headaches you might encounter and how to best deal with them. . . . If you should find yourself in a potentially awkward situation, we hope that we can get you out of it with very little drama."-from the introduction

Originally released in time for the China Olympics, this little book immediately caught on with first-time and seasoned travelers thanks to its compact format, affordability, and reliable information delivered with savvy humor. The authors have now improved their work with new sections on critical issues like air travel and appropriate clothing, lots of data updates and fresh recommendations, plus all-new photographs and captions to make the book even more fun to browse. Uniquely designed to address all the travails of being a foreign tourist in China, it includes practical checklists on transportation, lodging, walking, haggling, medical and bathroom emergencies, etiquette, crowds, and learning the twin arts of patience and persistence.

Here are just a few examples of this title's many unsolicited rave online reviews:

"Oh my gosh, the book's description of the crazy drivers, the toilets, the waiting in line, was so helpful."—Houston, TX

"I have been to China fourteen times, but still learned so much from this book."—Platte, SD

"I just returned from ten days in China and this book was by far my favorite."—Bainbridge Island, WA

Larry Herzberg and Qin Herzberg are professors of Chinese language and culture at Calvin College in Michigan. They travel to China every year, and have been featured travel experts on MSNBC and other outlets. Qin and Larry live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and are also coauthors of Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar: A Student’s Guide to Correct Structures and Common Errors (Stone Bridge Press, 2011) as well as the recently released Chinese Proverbs and Popular Sayings: With Observations on Culture and Language (Stone Bridge Press, 2012).

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, China

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Larry Herzberg studied Chinese for five years at Vanderbilt University before doing his Master's and Ph.D. work in Chinese Language and Literature at Indiana University. In 1980 he founded the Chinese Language Program at Albion College and then did the same at Calvin College in 1984. For the past three decades he has taught the Chinese language at the college level.

Reviews

[Courtney Schomaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did what it was supposed to do - provide helpful information for anyone visiting China for the first time. There were many helpful tidbits. However, the authors also include numerous anecdotes - about 50% of which are actually helpful. Not to mention the authors multiple use of “backwards country” which felt a little elitist. Information itself was helpful though, as well as the list of phrases, sights to see, and further reading/movies.

[Merk Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been to China fourteen times, but still learned so much from this book. The information is up-to-date and delivered with humor and frankness. I'm not quite finished with the book, but couldn't wait to share it with you.

[Manda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The authors kind of complained a lot/ most of the things they mentioned as being problems are really obvious things it would never occur to me to consider an issue. Oh noes, your hotel keycard doesn't work the first time you swipe it! That's not China's fault, you just didn't use it properly. Goodness me.

[Devon Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book sorta on a whim. I was browsing for a paper tour guide, and came across this. I found a more-than-affordable copy, and I just chucked it in the shopping cart when I was snagging things online like outlet converters and pollution masks. This book is awesome! If you are going to China, for any reason whatsoever (unless you live there), get this book and read it before you leave! (I only wish there was one as good for every country in the world.) I am not exaggerating when I say that I knew more and was more comfortable, in some ways, than other traveling companions who had been to China multiple times. The anecdotes and info from this book came up over and over and over again. AND it’s entertaining, interesting, and funny. And sympathetic! Larry and Qin understand what it’s like to be a Western foreigner in China, but they also love China and its people, understand the origins of many behaviors, and respect them. There is some advice you will want to follow beforehand, so, like I suggested, go ahead and read it maybe a week before you leave. (For example, asking for new bills at the bank here was a life-saver when I got to the currency exchange in the town I first stayed in.) Again, can’t recommend this book enough. Maria, my friend who has had friends visit many times over the fifteen years she’s lived in China, says that she is going to have to make this recommended/required reading before receiving visitors. She was pleasantly surprised at how accurate and helpful it was.

***REVIEW WRITTEN FOR THE STARVING ARTIST BLOG***

[KarenFamily · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic！

this should be the first guide book you read on China. I've traveled abroad extensively, I wish I could have had a guide like this for every place I've been. You can read where to go and what to see books to your hearts content, but none of that matters if you can't get there or are injured or get too sick to enjoy yourself. I truly recommend this as your *first* book in planning any trips to China. Use the other ones to fill in the blanks.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like there was a little too much on the complaining. However, I did find it very informative and pointed out some things I wouldn’t have known or considered. Definitely more helpful to those not going on a tour.

[Ali Butt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

Covers a lot of areas. I will be living in china. This book is a great start in understanding the puzzle that is China

[Noreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real gem of useful info. I'm taking this with me on our trip as it has Chinese phrases amongst other invaluable tips. I feel like I've already visited China after reading this.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, Helpful tips for first time traveler to China. A number of things worth knowing either before leaving for China or your first few days.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been to China many times and living there for a semester, I really enjoyed reminiscing.

[courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has some good pieces of advice about China, and I found that the formalities of manners in Chinese culture was much different than my first thought. However, the personal anecdotes, or, moreso, the constant reminders of the person anecdotes at every opportunity make the book kind of a dull read. Maybe after traveling through 20+ countries and living in a developing one I am jaded by the things a normal American would find quite strange.

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slogged my way through seemingly endless annoying anecdotes and smarmy comments (not to mention a thicket of exclamation points) to glean a modicum of information from this book. There are about 40 pages worth of useful content in this 264-page book. The rest is the author's belabored exhortations on various things that will be different in China (toilets, manners, transportation, and, well, you name it) plus entirely too many recollections of personal travel mishaps, such as the time he sprained his ankle, all told in the manner of a potty older uncle who has gotten a bit tipsy and cornered you at a family get-together. You want to tell him to go to hell, but, of course, you can't. To say he's verbose would be an understatement. This guy is one of those people who takes the simplest idea and stretches it out to excruciating length. Here's a sample of what you're in for, chosen more or less at random:

"When you travel it's essential to stay hydrated. Human beings can go for a long time without food, but we can't live for long without water. When you're traveling your body has to work harder to get used to new surroundings; you do a lot more walking and expend a lot more energy than you would ordinarily. In addition, most of us tend to do our traveling in China during the hot summer months, when almost all the large Chinese cities often see temperatures between 90 and 100 degrees, with very high humidity. When traveling in China or anywhere else in the world, carrying a supply of water around withh you on each day's outing is absolutely essential."

Okay, this might be helpful.... that is, if you're an idiot. Anyone out there not aware that we need to drink water? Or that China is hot in the summer? Yeah, I thought so. The author doesn't leave his water lecture at that, though, and prattles on for several more pages on the dangers of drinking tap water and where to buy bottled water and other liquids, ending the segment with his usual exclamation-ridden exhortations. My right hand itched to take up the editorial pen and carve the whole dissertation down to a single paragraph.

Honest to god, I'm swearing off these low-cost "survival guides" downloaded from Amazon after this one.

[Mairim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book in preparation for my trip to China in March 2016. This book is very easy to read and has very useful information. Although, some reviewers complain about so many stories, I found them funny and/or useful (depending on the annecdote). I think the stories made it easier to read for me.

After coming back from my trip I can tell you that this book did help me be prepared for or aware of certain situations I encountered. I must admit though, things I read here made me a bit paranoid (over worried) sometimes in preparation and during my trip. However, thanks to reading this book, not many things took me by surprise and I was able to explain to my boyfriend the situations (he wouldn't even read a "20 things you must know before going to China" article, let alone a book).

I did take the book with me just in case. Don't, unless you will visit remote areas. Save that space in your bag for souvenirs. With apps like Google translate and Pleco, we really didn't need any phrase book for what we wanted to do. We went to Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai and Hong Kong; we didn't venture out of the touristy areas though. You definitely don't need it in Hong Kong. I'm assuming that if you are in places with limited cellular reception or you are worried about roaming charges, you may reach for the books instead. But we didn't at all.

Overall, I think this book is worth reading to be aware of the culture and how things work in China. This book helped understand their mentality as to not get irritated when, say, I had absolutely no personal space. Just don't let the bad experiences ruin your trip and don't worry too much!

[Randol Hooper · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was traveling around in China for about a month and read this guide before I went, and carried it with me while I was there. Some of the information was useful, such as how some stores operate and some of the etiquette. It seemed to me, however, that too much of the book was eaten up with cutesy travel stories which while entertaining weren't terribly informative.

I was in Beijing and Xi'an which are remarkably simple to get around in for Westerners; English penetration is very high. I was also hosteling and did not find much of the information on hotels terribly relevant. They also don't mention some of the more common scams, such as "English students" wanting to practice their English with you at some cafe where you get a 1000 kuai bill.

That being said this is more geared towards the business traveler or "traditional" tourist rolling around on a package tour or the like. Backpackers won't find it terribly useful. If you really have absolutely no background in China at all I might suggest this book, but I personally didn't find it of much use.

[Denise - No Longer on Goodreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am traveling to China for the first time in a few months, and I wanted a book that would help educate me about the customs and culture, and also what differences to anticipate from American culture. This book delivered exactly what I was looking for. I learned some important bits of information, and it all meshed with what other people and other resources have told me. I know other reviewers tired of the authors' various anecdotes, but I enjoyed reading them, and I felt like they gave me a more personalized perspective. The only thing I can't confirm at this point is how useful and relevant the advice will be once I'm actually there, but if it varies greatly from my expectations, I'll be sure to update this review! At this point, I'd definitely recommend it to people traveling to Middle Kingdom for the first time, particularly if they will be venturing off the beaten path.

[Bob Redmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book includes lots of helpful information about Chinese culture (lines, shaking hands, handing someone something, where to place chopsticks) and city life (how to access a hospital, what kinds of toilets to expect), all in a short, easy to read book.

Reading it, I was annoyed by the author's somewhat condescending attitude, and the seeming reliance on only a couple trips to the country for much of the material. When _in_ China, however, I kept encountering situations (What's the deal with public toilets? Are these people trying to scam me?) that were described in the book, and I have to admit it was helpful and fairly comprehensive.

*

WHY I READ THIS BOOK: I was traveling to China, and needed the info.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This might have made a great pamphlet, but was too full of unfunny, uninformative fluff. Seriously, a whole chapter on the importance of using blue or black ink on your departure card? Another on how Chinese people are so pushy that they might *gasp* GET IN YOUR WAY at your five-star hotel's breakfast buffet? There is some good information, but it's deeply buried. I was hoping for a China version of J.D. Viharini's Enjoying India, but was sorely disappointed.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I read this book shortly before a two week trip to China in November. I'm sorry I didn't bring it with me. Some of it sounded corny and seemed anecdotal at times, but dang if something someone remembered from it didn't save our bacon or prevent head-scratching/extreme frustration several times (see especially the section on Chinese hotels). One of the most helpful books I read before travel. Thank you, thank you, Herzbergs!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found all the information in here to be totally true and quite helpful. It's witty and fun that make it a fun yet informative read. This doesn't work for extensive travel planning, but if you're going to China for a quick visit, this provides the crash course on how to fit in and not be offensive.

[Jbn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so it was a little too chatty at times. And, at the beginning at least, seemingly rather negative. But I kept taking notes and placing bookmarks throughout because there was so much information I'm assuming will be helpful that I hadn't found anywhere else. I thank the Herzbergs for making me feel more prepared for my first visit to China

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has many down to earth tips and some useful information. I enjoyed the anecdotes they put a humorous emphasis, I think, on how things might go or work out should one find oneself in a similar situation. My copy has 262 pages as compared to the 232 listed for this edition but otherwise it's the same.
A fun fast read.

[Jessica Lange · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read and must for anyone traveling to China for the first time. I skipped some of the anecdotes but most of the advice is right on. It is better to be prepared than to be completely shocked when you arrive. I read on the plane ride to Beijing and was glad I did.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

HILARIOUS!!! I kept reading this aloud to Sam last night, and couldn't put it down! What a humorous, but respectful, means of approaching inevitable events that could lead to a bit o' culture shock. One chapter is entitled, "Encountering the Unusual." This will be a fun, quick read!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book; its entertaining. But once I visited China I found some of it must be out dated or not true of the larger cities in China. Some of it was applicable, though. So an ok read.

[Merk Van]

I learned how to travel in this fantastic country without being part of a tour group and to survive and thrive.

[Kelly Kolb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as humorous or helpful as I'd hoped, but picked up a few key ideas and phrases to use.

[Jac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and lightweight but interesting.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't say how much the information in this book will have helped me before I get to china, but I did find it a very enjoyable and engaging read full of tidbits that are sure to come in handy.

[Jesse Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and fun little read about the mishaps one can/will face in China (bring your own toilet paper and don't jaywalk!)

[Rani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read before visiting China!