Baedeker's China

Last Updated: September 10, 1998
Baedeker, China, Macmillan Travel, second edition, 1996. ISBN 0-02-861365-1

Summary

This was my second favorite guide book. It gives a broad coverage of China, with cities ordered alphabetically (which I found easier to look up than the other books). Best of all, it has lots of pictures. Probably the best book for browsing if you are planning a trip and looking for ideas on where to go, since the pictures are very helpful.

The book has a set of "blue pages," a set "red pages," and a set of "yellow pages". The blue pages are general information about China. The red pages are information about each city, which are ordered alphabetically and seems reasonably inclusive. The "yellow pages" are general tourist information. This book has the most pictures of any of the travel books I have, and its list of sights in each city is good, with * and ** recommendations. It's hotel listings are all in one section within the yellow pages, which I preferred (since it leaves the city tourist information less cluttered).

But...

This book's travel information is worse than most of the others. And it's hotel listing gives no indication of prices.

China Index