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Complex, massive and endlessly fascinating, China has something for everyone. This comprehensive guide contains all the information the independent traveller needs to explore this extraordinary country. over 210 detailed maps, with keys in English and Chinese script; days walks along a wilderness sections of the Great Wall; expanded coverage of the exotic south-western provinces; detailed information on transport options countrywide; thousands of places to stay and eat for all budgets; and an extensive Chinese language section.
1111 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1984
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428 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 23, 2020
This 1056-page book - the 15th edition of June 2017 - is an interesting and readable guide to the People’s Republic of China. This is a well-designed and presented guide, with useful maps, and a fold-out map of Beijing inside the back-cover. This is not a glossy guide with lots of colour pictures, but it is a well-designed and laid out guide, with colour used sparingly. It is intended to be a helpful guide to things to see and do, and not just a list of things to see and do.
Note though, that this volume is trying to cover a great deal of ground, so, unless you are using this to chose which region you want to visit, a guide to the particular area you are actually going to (if available) might be more useful to you.
Note though, that this volume is trying to cover a great deal of ground, so, unless you are using this to chose which region you want to visit, a guide to the particular area you are actually going to (if available) might be more useful to you.
June 22, 2016
A country as big as big and populous as China is hard to condense into one volume, but as usual Lonely Planet does a fine job. The sections on top sights and the various regions were fine, as was the introduction to the culture and history of the place. I ended up using the maps quite a bit too, since Google Maps does not work there and I didn't know that you need to download some maps in advance. The suggestions of where to eat and drink were quite good too, especially in Beijing. I'm glad I picked this up, and did not just rely on websites for information.
December 16, 2017
Even in the age of instant internet there is a place for a good guide book. More so in China where the great firewall prevents easy access to google etc. This was a valuable, useful travelling companion with good detailed information.
August 18, 2011
Oh dear. This book does have an awful lot of bad reviews. And unlike a fictional novel, this is hardly subjective; if the facts are wrong or the information isn't there, a guidebook fails in its most basic purpose.
Although . . . it didn't fail for me. Perhaps it's gone deeply downhill since my version, purchased and used in 2003. Maybe upheaval caused by the Olympics has affected prices, locations and quality, none of which have been updated or explained in later editions. Or it might well be subjective after all. All I know is that the China Lonely Planet was nothing short of essential during my year in the Middle Kingdom and now, with its copious annotations, dogeared corners and whiff of multiple food spillages, one of my favourite and most cherished posessions.
I love the Lonely Planet. I've used Rough Guide and found it too vague - which is obviously the idea, albeit not mine - and other guides whose names now escape me, it was so so long ago, but I always return to this. Guide to guide, they vary wildly, largely because the authors (different for each country) are extremely influential on the literary style and ratings are based on their opinions rather than facts. But their general layout is always the same and once you've used one, you know exactly how to refer to them all.
In my experience, LP gives you enough information to be going on with, but never feels like it is telling you what you must or must not do. Suggestions are open-ended and (unlike RG), the authors don't write sneeringly when they mention upmarket joints or touristy locations. They'll always give alternatives, but splashing out or going for the easy option is neither derided nor encouraged. It's your trip; it's up to you.
Prices are inevitably wrong but that's because hotels and restaurants rarely set them in stone in the first place; plus, no doubt, the Olympics will have hiked up everything in sight. I use them as a general guide and never expect to pay exactly what they mention but I trust their opinions and the maps are always accurate. Photos are beautiful, background information fascinating, practical advice invaluable. The opening chapter descriptions of each province used to give me goosebumps when I was planning my trip and now they bring back searingly sharp memories of my experiences. I would read it again now, just for entertainment.
China is not a country to which I would advise the first-time backpacker to venture. It's tough, it's alien, it's more brain-achingly vast than you can possibly imagine, but it's also incredibly rewarding, fascinating and in my opinion, having covered most of the country and used this wonderful (heavy) book whilst doing so, absolutely worth it.
I'm about to visit Argentina and one of the first things I bought was a Lonely Planet. Despite this imminent trip lasting a mere fortnight, I can't imagine leaving home without my trusty reference guide. Book to book, writers change and opinions may vary but one thing you can't accuse them of is lack of heart. The enthusiasm for travelling and their country of choice is palpable and infectious. Never make the mistake of idly picking up a Lonely Planet in a Waterstones to kill time or you'll be perusing the British Airways website before you even realise what's happened. (That happened to me once . . . I ended up in Fiji). If I could write for LP, I would. As it is, I'm going to settle for reading; as second-best options go, I've experienced an awful lot worse.
Although . . . it didn't fail for me. Perhaps it's gone deeply downhill since my version, purchased and used in 2003. Maybe upheaval caused by the Olympics has affected prices, locations and quality, none of which have been updated or explained in later editions. Or it might well be subjective after all. All I know is that the China Lonely Planet was nothing short of essential during my year in the Middle Kingdom and now, with its copious annotations, dogeared corners and whiff of multiple food spillages, one of my favourite and most cherished posessions.
I love the Lonely Planet. I've used Rough Guide and found it too vague - which is obviously the idea, albeit not mine - and other guides whose names now escape me, it was so so long ago, but I always return to this. Guide to guide, they vary wildly, largely because the authors (different for each country) are extremely influential on the literary style and ratings are based on their opinions rather than facts. But their general layout is always the same and once you've used one, you know exactly how to refer to them all.
In my experience, LP gives you enough information to be going on with, but never feels like it is telling you what you must or must not do. Suggestions are open-ended and (unlike RG), the authors don't write sneeringly when they mention upmarket joints or touristy locations. They'll always give alternatives, but splashing out or going for the easy option is neither derided nor encouraged. It's your trip; it's up to you.
Prices are inevitably wrong but that's because hotels and restaurants rarely set them in stone in the first place; plus, no doubt, the Olympics will have hiked up everything in sight. I use them as a general guide and never expect to pay exactly what they mention but I trust their opinions and the maps are always accurate. Photos are beautiful, background information fascinating, practical advice invaluable. The opening chapter descriptions of each province used to give me goosebumps when I was planning my trip and now they bring back searingly sharp memories of my experiences. I would read it again now, just for entertainment.
China is not a country to which I would advise the first-time backpacker to venture. It's tough, it's alien, it's more brain-achingly vast than you can possibly imagine, but it's also incredibly rewarding, fascinating and in my opinion, having covered most of the country and used this wonderful (heavy) book whilst doing so, absolutely worth it.
I'm about to visit Argentina and one of the first things I bought was a Lonely Planet. Despite this imminent trip lasting a mere fortnight, I can't imagine leaving home without my trusty reference guide. Book to book, writers change and opinions may vary but one thing you can't accuse them of is lack of heart. The enthusiasm for travelling and their country of choice is palpable and infectious. Never make the mistake of idly picking up a Lonely Planet in a Waterstones to kill time or you'll be perusing the British Airways website before you even realise what's happened. (That happened to me once . . . I ended up in Fiji). If I could write for LP, I would. As it is, I'm going to settle for reading; as second-best options go, I've experienced an awful lot worse.
January 4, 2022
I used this extensively while traveling through yunnan province. Some good information- although much on the hotels & restaurants was a little out of date & many new places have sprung up while others are a victim of Covid closures.
One really annoying thing is that it links to google maps which don’t work in China without a vpn…
One really annoying thing is that it links to google maps which don’t work in China without a vpn…
August 28, 2009
I never bought this, thankfully, only borrowed from friends.
Big, heavy, and loaded with inaccurate information and old phone numbers and addresses. The descriptions of hotels are also annoying--who cares what color walls something is? Tell me how to get there.
Big, heavy, and loaded with inaccurate information and old phone numbers and addresses. The descriptions of hotels are also annoying--who cares what color walls something is? Tell me how to get there.
April 20, 2018
A detailed, comprehensive guide to China. This was very useful when planning my upcoming trip. It was also educational which I enjoyed. I recommend this to travellers.
July 17, 2017
It's a bit of a daunting task to try and cover a country so vast, so varied and - above all - changing so fast...in just one guidebook.
Don't expect this guidebook to explain everything and always be 100% correct. Roads get built, tunnels dug, prices rise, hotels and restaurants open and close, etcetera. If you find this hard to take, maybe China isn't the place to go to for you.
We've travelled in the big country several times, used many different guidebooks, but always returned to good old Lonely Planet as the main guide. Yes, sometimes we felt a bit disappointed by a place that was recommended and sometimes we were truly stunnend that a place we absolutely loved was not in the book. But that's life and that's travelling.
If you don't speak Chinese (fluently) and want to travel independently, the Lonely Planet is essential packing. Use wisely, though!
Don't expect this guidebook to explain everything and always be 100% correct. Roads get built, tunnels dug, prices rise, hotels and restaurants open and close, etcetera. If you find this hard to take, maybe China isn't the place to go to for you.
We've travelled in the big country several times, used many different guidebooks, but always returned to good old Lonely Planet as the main guide. Yes, sometimes we felt a bit disappointed by a place that was recommended and sometimes we were truly stunnend that a place we absolutely loved was not in the book. But that's life and that's travelling.
If you don't speak Chinese (fluently) and want to travel independently, the Lonely Planet is essential packing. Use wisely, though!
February 10, 2020
I used this book so much during my 18 months in China. It has led me to so many amazing adventures. The blue boxes throughout discussing things that are must-see orcworth a trip are golden. Places like Binglang Valley and Daocheng Yading were actually life changing. Buy this book and go have an adventure!
April 8, 2024
This was fine, I guess. I used an old edition from the library, so I was less annoyed by the failings than I would have been if I'd bought it new. Still not super in love with LP though, which I am sad about.
August 13, 2017
Could have better organisation.
May 20, 2019
3½ - 4 stars
July 8, 2019
Very comprehensive, but a heavy load to carry with you on a trip! Wow!
November 23, 2019
China is vast a diverse- this book makes travelling there possible.
April 30, 2025
Somewhat helpful, I'm going to keep referring back for more info
January 20, 2025
I really enjoy lonely planet books. They really have so much useful information packed into their publications. I know China is a big country. But this book is just so long and big. In fact it is to big to travel with. However it is comprehensive and it does of course help me work out what is of interest in each Provence. The biggest criticism I have is the travel itineraries. I often follow parts of their recommended itinerary . In this case I just sone think any of there recommended itineraries are remotely practical.
August 2, 2011
I have major issues with this book.
There were many places listed that were closed, which perhaps was because of the Olympics, but it really put a crimp in my plans. It was especially a problem when I took a taxi to a restaurant that was recommended and it doesn't exist anymore. It was also not fun because not only did I take a taxi there, but there were only about 3 restaurants in the section for Qingdao.
The biggest problem on one of my trips, to Qingdao, was based on the recommendations of Lonely Planet China. I went to a National Park. Once my friends and I had each payed 100 Yuen for a personal car to get to the park admission was 75 Yuen instead of the 50 Yuen listed in Lonely Planet. Which to me is a big difference and after paying so much for the car as well as considering that 25 Yuen can buy me quite a bit of food I was NOT pleased. In addition to the fact that we hadn't considered that we had to buy entry for the driver as well, and that extra 25 Yuen really added up. There was no indication what so ever in the guide that there was a difference in price for regular season versus peak season, because of course no one travels during peak season.
Many of the "addresses" listed in Chinese characters (from the boxes on the map pages) were just the names of the places. If the taxi driver doesn't know the name you're out of luck. Also there were just no addresses in Chinese characters for any of the restaurants or hotels. Which means that you can almost never get where you are going unless you have perfect pronunciation. Problematic!
Some of the pluses.
I went to very good restaurants based on their recommendations. The two restaurants that were open in Qingdao were fabulous and the dishes that Lonely Planet featured were yummy!
The couple days I was in Shanghai, after my summer language program, I chose to splurge and stay in a hotel listed in Lonely Planet and I LOVED it! Astor House Hotel is the oldest hotel in China and is beautifully kept and the staff is amazing.
There were many places listed that were closed, which perhaps was because of the Olympics, but it really put a crimp in my plans. It was especially a problem when I took a taxi to a restaurant that was recommended and it doesn't exist anymore. It was also not fun because not only did I take a taxi there, but there were only about 3 restaurants in the section for Qingdao.
The biggest problem on one of my trips, to Qingdao, was based on the recommendations of Lonely Planet China. I went to a National Park. Once my friends and I had each payed 100 Yuen for a personal car to get to the park admission was 75 Yuen instead of the 50 Yuen listed in Lonely Planet. Which to me is a big difference and after paying so much for the car as well as considering that 25 Yuen can buy me quite a bit of food I was NOT pleased. In addition to the fact that we hadn't considered that we had to buy entry for the driver as well, and that extra 25 Yuen really added up. There was no indication what so ever in the guide that there was a difference in price for regular season versus peak season, because of course no one travels during peak season.
Many of the "addresses" listed in Chinese characters (from the boxes on the map pages) were just the names of the places. If the taxi driver doesn't know the name you're out of luck. Also there were just no addresses in Chinese characters for any of the restaurants or hotels. Which means that you can almost never get where you are going unless you have perfect pronunciation. Problematic!
Some of the pluses.
I went to very good restaurants based on their recommendations. The two restaurants that were open in Qingdao were fabulous and the dishes that Lonely Planet featured were yummy!
The couple days I was in Shanghai, after my summer language program, I chose to splurge and stay in a hotel listed in Lonely Planet and I LOVED it! Astor House Hotel is the oldest hotel in China and is beautifully kept and the staff is amazing.
March 2, 2010
Worst.
Lonely.
Planet.
EVER.
I've talked to a lot of people in China this year and we all concur, the Lonely Planet China guides (all of them, as far as we can tell), uniformly disappoint. Misleading or inaccurate directions and information, awkward wording, and useless maps contribute to an overall lack of helpfulness. I've used a lot of Lonely Planet guidebooks over the years. I don't know if this is a symptom of their general lack of doing Asia well (the Japan Lonely Planet wasn't great, although it was better than this- several fellow travelers complained about the Lonely Planet SouthEast Asia, which shares a lot of content with this one) or maybe it's just impossible to put together a good guidebook for such a big place (a possibility suggested by the fact that although the Japan guidebook wasn't great, the Tokyo guidebook was a godsend). I don't know. But I can tell you this, I've never before left behind a book that cost me over $30. That's exactly what I did with this one, the day I left China.
I expect to return to China one day, maybe with a copy of Frommer's in tow.
Lonely.
Planet.
EVER.
I've talked to a lot of people in China this year and we all concur, the Lonely Planet China guides (all of them, as far as we can tell), uniformly disappoint. Misleading or inaccurate directions and information, awkward wording, and useless maps contribute to an overall lack of helpfulness. I've used a lot of Lonely Planet guidebooks over the years. I don't know if this is a symptom of their general lack of doing Asia well (the Japan Lonely Planet wasn't great, although it was better than this- several fellow travelers complained about the Lonely Planet SouthEast Asia, which shares a lot of content with this one) or maybe it's just impossible to put together a good guidebook for such a big place (a possibility suggested by the fact that although the Japan guidebook wasn't great, the Tokyo guidebook was a godsend). I don't know. But I can tell you this, I've never before left behind a book that cost me over $30. That's exactly what I did with this one, the day I left China.
I expect to return to China one day, maybe with a copy of Frommer's in tow.
September 21, 2010
Lonely Planet really is the best -- I've been to China on several occasions, the one time I decided to use the Rough Guide instead I regretted it :-) Basic things like hotel prices (even a rough idea) were missing.
Most of the info is pretty decent, but of course things do change so you can never expect these guidebooks to be 100%. That said, I did hear the complaint that the further off the beaten track you go the less accurate it is, worth bearing in mind if you're traveling to Xinjiang province (现在？ 你真疯狂！）or deep down south.
Ultimately all these travel books can do is give you jumping-off points so you can explore by yourself, because in years to come you'll have forgotten all about the Great Wall and the terracotta warriors, but you'll still remember the truly disgusting toilet you saw in Chongqing, the dirty joke you were told about Japanese girls, and the school kids who were so excited to see a Westerner.
Most of the info is pretty decent, but of course things do change so you can never expect these guidebooks to be 100%. That said, I did hear the complaint that the further off the beaten track you go the less accurate it is, worth bearing in mind if you're traveling to Xinjiang province (现在？ 你真疯狂！）or deep down south.
Ultimately all these travel books can do is give you jumping-off points so you can explore by yourself, because in years to come you'll have forgotten all about the Great Wall and the terracotta warriors, but you'll still remember the truly disgusting toilet you saw in Chongqing, the dirty joke you were told about Japanese girls, and the school kids who were so excited to see a Westerner.
October 10, 2013
It's true. I read the entire Lonely Planet China guide. It was kind of a fun thing to do over several months living in China; I learned a lot about provinces and towns and mountains and waterfalls and temples that I don't have enough 3-day weekends to visit! Lonely Planet also includes a certain sensibility that I love, and the history, tidbits, literary & cinematic recommendations, etc. are worth reading even when aren't about to go to a place. Where I think this particular LP suffers is in its maps. SOooooo many of the smaller towns discussed don't even warrant a map, others take up a whole page and have a half-page legend of which half is not-really-that-essential info/consulate type listings. The Guangzhou map is split into two, leaving out the swath of city in between that just happens to include where I live, so maybe I'm biased, but I really think this book's maps could use some work. Other than that, good times. By the way, China is big. In case you didn't know!
February 26, 2008
Eh... of all the China guides, I've decided I am not especially impressed with Lonely Planet. For the new traveller to the PRC its not so bad, but I'd suggest getting "Frommers Guide" before this particular book... but if you want my REAL advice, wait until you get here and then go to one of the big foreign language book stores (ask at your hotel) and pick up a Chinese published guide to travel in China. That way you'll get more of the local beat as well as some neat information about places Frommers and Lonely Planet will edit out.
(PS: If you are going to travel in China and need help with booking a hotel, where to go, what to eat, etc. I'd highly suggest going to travelchinaguide.com because they are AWESOME)
:)
(PS: If you are going to travel in China and need help with booking a hotel, where to go, what to eat, etc. I'd highly suggest going to travelchinaguide.com because they are AWESOME)
:)
April 17, 2013
This is a good guide book. But as with every other guide book for rapid changing countries it is necessary to own a very recent version. Two years old is often already too old.
On our travel we had the newest recent version published just a month prior to the trip. It was mostly accurate and everything we looked at was still open and existing.
Just get a new version and you will be fine.
The drawback of using a Lonely Planet guide book is that a lot of shops and places use it as advertisement to be mentioned in the book. In the end you will not be on a lonely planet/trip. Don't expect to find any real insider tips in it.
The parts about the culture and how to behave in certain situations is a good guideline not to step on too many toes when traveling and talking to locals.
On our travel we had the newest recent version published just a month prior to the trip. It was mostly accurate and everything we looked at was still open and existing.
Just get a new version and you will be fine.
The drawback of using a Lonely Planet guide book is that a lot of shops and places use it as advertisement to be mentioned in the book. In the end you will not be on a lonely planet/trip. Don't expect to find any real insider tips in it.
The parts about the culture and how to behave in certain situations is a good guideline not to step on too many toes when traveling and talking to locals.
September 1, 2007
Well, the eight of us who lived in China refered to this as "The Bible." So...it was an important book to say the least. Be warned that not all the information is accurate, but more likely than not, that has to do with the fact that China changes in a blink of an eye, not because the author is a dolt.
Most people traveling to China won't need this book - you will probably be on a tour, with a qualified guide. However, if you are going to be LIVING there, sans guide, and expect to travel? ...well...I'd recommend picking this up! Oh... and expect for it to come back looking very, very loved... aka abused.
Most people traveling to China won't need this book - you will probably be on a tour, with a qualified guide. However, if you are going to be LIVING there, sans guide, and expect to travel? ...well...I'd recommend picking this up! Oh... and expect for it to come back looking very, very loved... aka abused.
September 3, 2009
better than the rough guide, if only 4 the great maps & chinese characters so u could actually get 2 places, meaning your driver will actually b able 2 get u where u want 2 go. very informative. ignore the going out, eating & the accommodation sections (most places i've slept at were never in the guide & turned out great, 4 the most part) & it's a good book 2 have. bulky as hell & even so, china can't b fitted in2 one book!
sometimes the writers try 2 b 2 witty & it just looks bad. I've used the LP in many countries & while they were always innacurate, the guide remains the best out of all competing guides...
sometimes the writers try 2 b 2 witty & it just looks bad. I've used the LP in many countries & while they were always innacurate, the guide remains the best out of all competing guides...
March 25, 2019
During a backpacking trip with two friends, from Hong Kong via southern and western China to Beijing, this book has aided me wonderfully. Even many of the lesser known tourist attractions and eccentric places are discussed here, and useful information on country, language, etc. is provided as always. By now, this edition is quite outdated (especially in the transportation department - the Chinese government builds a lot of new high-speed rail lines every year!), so get the newer edition if you are planning to go to China. Lonely Planet still provides the best guidebooks in the world, and I never want to use any other.
October 27, 2012
[2012.07.05] Used 2011 12th Edition to plan my one-month long trip to China during Jun 2012. Sections used: Beijing, Shanghai, Fujian, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan. Yes, there is probably more outdated info in this book than usual LP books, especially considering I was using an edition that hadn't come out too long ago, but that'll be true of any guidebook for China. It's just developing at a crazy-rapid pace. Use the web and forums to get more up-to-date specifics and you'll be better off. Despite its faults, this is a invaluable book from which trip planning can start.
October 5, 2007
I would (and have) trusted my life and welfare to this guidebook. Forget the Frommers and Beddeckers, Lonely Planet is all you need! In fact, the China edition's history section is so candid (ahem, uncensored) you can't buy it inside China (although it is possible that could have changed since I was there last). At any rate, if you are going ANYWHERE on a budget--or if you just want to skip the tourist traps and discover local cuisine and culture for yourself--buy a Lonely Planet.
August 2, 2007
Still reading it for preparation living in this country. But I found this book lacked of the public transport info or may be you've got to been escorted anytime you visit China?
Been in Shanghai and many places to go,surely this book help you lots about local customs and the antics of the culture. China still an interesting destination to see great civilization and landscapes.
Been in Shanghai and many places to go,surely this book help you lots about local customs and the antics of the culture. China still an interesting destination to see great civilization and landscapes.
June 17, 2008
Lonely Planet guides are the best, they recommend some of the best little places to search out and I've never gone wrong with a hotel they've mentioned.
Things change fast in the world and some of the information was already outdated, but we would have been literally lost without this book at times!
Things change fast in the world and some of the information was already outdated, but we would have been literally lost without this book at times!
July 5, 2014
Pretty good for the trips we have had across South West China, and have found it essential in planning short breaks around the country. The restaurants section is quite out if date with a lot closed, but I guess that's the case for any rapidly changing country. I have totally given up on lonely planet maps now though!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews