The authors of this book have set out not only to capture the magic & beauty of China, but also to provide a visual portrait of what many believe is fast evolving as the world`s next superpower. Travelling from the steppes & deserts of the north to the tropical forests of south-west China, they portray the men & women of the vast cities fuelling China`s development, as well as those in the villages, temples & centres of Chinese culture who in their different ways are the guardians of the nation`s heritage. The text also presents China`s extraordinary journey of a 3500-year-old culture into the 20th century, with chapters on the Imperial City, the Great Wall, Confucianism, the workings of the Chinese script, & the spoken language of Chinese. ...

Contains essential information to help newcomers avoid cultural & social gaffes. Whether you are travelling on business or pleasure, visiting for a few days or planning to stay for a lifetime, Culture Wise guides enable you to quickly feel at home. ...

Yann Layma’s “ China” is a photographic portrait of China that gives an honest, comprehensive & awe-inspiring account of all aspects of modern China, its rural heartlands, urban centres & above all the kaleidoscope of people, in every walk of life & of every age. This beautifully presented paperback edition gives a down-to-earth, unembellished & cliché-free window into life in the world’s most populous country. No Western photographer is as intimately acquainted with China as Yann Layma, who spent nearly half of his twenty-year career working there. Layma’s reportage of this vast country is extraordinarily complete: he portrays city & country, traditional customs & the shock of modernity, & every aspect of public & private life. His style is personal & poetic, & he is alive to nuances of gesture & expression. From the classical architecture of the Great Wall to the skyscrapers of up-to-the minute Shanghai, he captures the essence of one of the world’s great nations. This edition

Includes:: essays & supporting text from Anne Loussouarn, Catherine Zittoun, Zao Wou-Ki, Dai Sijie, Jean Leclere du Sabon & Jose Frèches, & an introduction by Yann Layma himself

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With details concerning major attractions, off-the-beaten-track spots, drinking & nightlife venues, & restaurants & hotels/hostels from every province (as well as Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan), Panda Guides China is the most complete guide to the Middle Kingdom out there. Written by a team of expats who live in & know China, our China title is the first of its kind to offer local discounts, as well as an opportunity to win a free trip through China by purchasing the book. Apart from all the money readers can save by following the Panda with this book, this edition of China comes with four separate pullout maps (for China & the cities of Beijing, Shanghai & Hong Kong). Each province also has a provincial map, as well as individual maps for cities, key tourist attractions, mountains, national parks & villages to ensure you never get lost. What`s more, we`ve made the travel experience even easier by placing each attraction`s vital info (i.e. transportation details, opening hours, admission, phone number, website, etc.) in clearly marked orange boxes at the beginning of every listing. This volume is also packed with sample itineraries, a Mandarin phrasebook, a user-friendly index, sections on culture, history, art, music, kung fu, & movies, full-color pictures (to give you an engrossing feel of a destination before you even go) & much more! Plus, the Hot Topics section will reveal what life on the ground is like with coverage of fascinating themes such as Air Pollution, Food & Water Safety, Traveling with Kids, Scams, Travel, Culture Shock, Taboo & Etiquette & others. For all this & more, Panda Guides China isn`t just a guide, it`s an experience. For more on our books & maps, & to get updated information concerning travel news & special events throughout China, check out www. Panda Guides.com. ...

China at 1:6, 000, 000 on an indexed map from the Kathmandu based Nepa Maps, showing the country’s administrative provinces in different colours & highlighting provincial capitals. The map provides a useful overview of main road & rail connections in the western half of the country. In eastern China, large number of place names makes road & rail routes more difficult to see. Topographic information is again better presented in the western part, with rivers, numerous lakes, names of mountain chains, peaks, etc. All places names are shown only in Latin alphabet, some presented with alternative Tibetan versions. The map has latitude & longitude lines at intervals of 5°. The index

Includes:: lists of lakes & rivers.

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China in the Countries & Regions series from Lonely Planet, market-leading comprehensive guides aimed at independent travellers & serving a large range of international destinations. Frank & informal in style, the guides explore an extensive range of sights, activities, accommodation, restaurants & nightlife & are designed for practical use while travelling on the road. Written & researched by a team of experts, each book is independent in its recommendations & suggestions, often offering individual takes on individual destinations. Widely recognised for their reliability, each Lonely Planet country & region guide has the same layout. Introductory sections profile the destination with individual chapters on particular highlights, getting started, (including when to go) itineraries, history, culture, arts, food & drink & the environment. Each guide is organised geographically by region, with individual sections detailing an extensive range of sights, places of interest, attractions, restaurants, nightlife, accommodation & any local activities. The guides have detailed explanations of historical context where relevant. There is also practical guidance on ...

Compiled by specialists from the University of Durham Department of East Asian Studies, this new reference work contains Approx. 1500 entries covering Chinese civilisation from Peking Man to the present day. Subjects include history, politics, art, archaeology, literature, etc. The Dictionary is intended for students, teachers & researchers, & will also be of interest to the general reader. Entries provide factual information & contain suggestions for further reading. Chinese terms are in pinyin romanisation & characters are given for the subject headings. A name index & comprehensive cross-reference system make this an easy to use, multi-purpose guide to the student of Chinese in the broadest sense. ...

Three thousand years of Chinese history in an accessible & authoritative single volume. Despite the recent rise of China to a position of dominance on the world economic stage, Chinese history remains an elusive subject. Yet it is this vast narrative of appalling loss, superhuman endeavour & incredible invention that has made China the superpower it is today. From the dawn of legend to the succession of great dynasties, from Confucius to Chairman Mao & from the clamour of revolution to the lure of slick capitalism, John Keay takes the reader on a sweeping tour through Chinese history. This is a definitive & indispensable account of a country set to play a major part in our future. ...

One of the most far-reaching events since the Second World War is the re-emergence of China as a world power, & its present government`s willingness to open up the country to the rest of the world. This comprehensive cultural history ranges from prehistoric times to the present
- from the disunity of Pre-Imperial China to the renaissance of the Sung & Tang dynasties, from the Mongol conquest to Tiananmen Square & the 1989 student revolt. By placing the modern country in historical perspective this brilliant study reveals how many continuities there are within the oldest of all civilizations.
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One of the oldest civilizations in the world, China`s heritage dates back more than six millennia.” China: A Visual Adventure” profiles the colour & variety of its provinces, offering a series of contrasts
- new & old, rich & poor, bustling & calm
- to define the modern culture of this enduring nation. Leading readers on an incredible tour of the country`s various regions, ” China: A Visual Adventure” is at once a treasure trove of beautiful images & a wealth of historical & contemporary facts of one of the twenty-first century`s most important industrial powers.

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