Chalte Ho To Cheen Ko Chaliye / چلتے ہو تو چین کو چلیے

by Ibn e Insha

One of the classics of Urdu literature, Chaltay Ho To Cheen Ko Chaleay is a highly engaging and informative travelogue about China by Ibn e Insha. Through his experiences Ibn Insha takes the listener on a journey that teaches one about the rich Chinese culture, literature, history, lifestyle, technology, language and much more.

Please This audiobook is in Urdu.

Genres: Travelogue, Nonfiction, Humor, Travel

152 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1967

About the author

Ibn e Insha (Urdu: ابن انشاء‎) born in British India as Sher Muhammad Khan (Urdu: شیر محمد خان‎) is a renowned Pakistani Urdu poet, humorist, travelogue writer and columnist. Along with his poetry, he is regarded one of the best humorists of Urdu literature. His poetry has a distinctive diction laced with language reminiscent of Amir Khusro in its use of words and construction.
He migrated to Pakistan after partition and served at various government institutions including Radio Pakistan, the Ministry of Culture and the National Book Centre of Pakistan. He also served at UN for some time. This enabled him to visit many places, all of which inspired the travelogues he would then pen.
He died of Hodgkin's Lymphoma on January 11, 1978 in London and was buried in Karachi.
Bibliography

Poetry:
Kal Chaudavin ki raat thi, Shab bhar raha charcha tera
Is Basti Key Ik Koochey Main
Chand Nagar
Dil e Wehshi
Billo Ka Basta (Rhymes for Children)

Travelogue:
Awara Gard Ki Diary
Dunya Gol Hai
Ibn Battuta Kay Taqub main
Chaltay Ho To Cheen Ko Chaliye
Nagri Nagri Phira Musafir

Humor:
Aap se kya Parda
Khumar e Gandum
Urdu Ki Aakhri Kitaab
Khatt Insha Jee Kay (Collection of letters)

Reviews

[Srivani]

It's a travelogue of the author's visit to China during Mao's time. It's pretty good.

[❁]

Urdu Bingo 2025 (14) : Read A Travelogue

2.5 🌟
یہ کچھ زیادہ نہیں ہو گیا؟؟!! مطلب اس کتاب کو پڑھ کر تو ایسا لگتا ہے کہ چین میں انسان نہیں فرشتے رہتے ہیں یا کم از کم ساٹھ کی دہائی میں ہوتے تھے جب مصنف نے وہاں کا سفر طے کیا تھا۔

[Saad Din]

a very interesting account of travel to China in the 60's(66' to be precise) Insha's humor really took charge from very beginning and that is the unique point of this book else it could have been a plain travelogue one must go thru it so as to understand the psyche of the Chinese people

[Ammara Abid]

Sahibo :)
must read it.

[Rabia]

Ibne Insha was a famous writer, poet, and humorist of Urdu. He wrote this travelogue in straightforward and funny manners.It's a travelogue of the author's visit to China during Mao's time.
In his brilliant writing career, he authored some excellent books in poetry and prose. Moreover, he earned fame for his funny books and informative stories. I like 'Chalte Ho To Cheen Ko Chaliye' and share it with. It is a travelogue book that describes many funny things about China and its people. Its little biased with political inclinations. The writer gave much useful information and satire to Pakistani people. I came to know Some parts of this book added to the school education syllabus.

[Usama Tanoli]

چلتے ہیں تو چین کو چلیے
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️۔
قومیں کیسے بنتی ہیں اور کیسے کامیاب ہوتی ہیں اس کا اندازہ اس کتاب کو پڑھنے کے بعد ہوا ، جب انسان صرف اپنے فائدے کا سوچنے کے بجائے قومی فائدے کا سوچنے لگ جائے تو ایسی قوموں کو کامیاب ہونے سے کوئی نہیں روک سکتا۔۔
آج چین کو جب ہم دیکھتے ہیں کہ وہ اتنے مخصوص عرصہ میں اتنا کامیاب کیسے ہو گیا تو اس بات کا جواب ابن انشاء نے اپنی اس کتاب میں بہت تفصیل سے بیان کیا ہے۔۔
اس کتاب سے چین کے بارے میں بہت کچھ جاننے کو ملا جو پہلے معلوم نہیں تھا ، چین کے لوگوں کے رویوں کو سمجھنے کا موقعہ ملا۔۔
یہ صرف ایک سفرنامہ نہیں بلکہ بہت کچھ سکھانے والا ایک تجربہ بھی ہے جو ہمیں بتاتا ہے کہ اگر ہمیں بطور قوم ترقی کرنی ہے تو کیسے کرنی ہے
اور آخر میں اس کتاب سے اپنا پسندیدہ حصہ بتاتا چلوں جو کہ "لنگ مارچ" کا حصہ ہے مجھے اس سے پتہ چلا کہ چین کے لوگوں نے کتنی جدوجہد کی ہے۔۔
یہ کتاب یر انسان کو اپنی زندگی میں ایک بار ضرور پڑھنی چاہیے ♥️✨️

[Ish Hse]

Good one, specially he gave different indicators about the China when he visited. And its not amazing to know why China is so successful now a days. So they had a good start from 60s. More need books like this of different countries. By the way a good into to His Excellency Mao, China, History, and Long March.

[Muhammad Asif]

Great Book!!!!

[Bushra Hassan]

Very partial, biased and agenda based book. The author should have remained loyal to primary responsibility of travelogue instead of his political inclinations and aspirations.

[Qaim Raza]

Just finished reading the book. A great work by a great writer indeed.

[Ali Mohsin]

The book is brilliant in terms of writing and humour. However, from a travelogue point of view, it gives a very naive and superficial picture of the visited places.

[Hubab]

Gonna find good humour in almost every page.

[Sana Iqbal]

A funny man. He’s my writer at the moment.

[Zahir Nabi]

Idk I slept multiple times reading this book. It was borefest. I couldnt find a minor point that would take me to end of this book. Stopped it at page #40.

[Ramsha Malik]

It is a realistic, humourous and self reflective travelogue of the writer's journey to China. The most interesting bits are the writer's translations of Chinese folk poems into Urdu.

[Omama.]

What an absolutely funny and Informative Masterpiece. A China travelogue, depicting Chinese culture, history, heritage, lifestyle, language and much more through the eyes of Ibn E Insha.