The focus is on areas likely to be most rewarding for tourists (all of China could not be seen in several lifetimes): Beijing & surroundings, Shanghai and Hong Kong, the Terracotta Warriors near Xi'an, the Yangzi River's Three Gorges, the majestic rural scenery around Guilin, the Pearl River Delta, and the island of Macau Designed to enable you to gain the most from China during your trip. All the big sights in the destinations covered are described, but so are little dumpling houses, lively markets, walks through narrow old streets, places to study tai chi and the 2008 Olympics. The focus is on adventure in every sense of the word--from kayaking and balloon trips to learning the ancient art of calligraphy or fengshui. There are new experiences waiting at every turn, all of which help you get closer to understanding what China is today and how it got here. For each region, activities range from Dragon Boat racing, Chinese cooking and language lessons, as well as the more usual golfing, hiking, boat and bike rides. All the accommodation and eating choices are detailed as well, followed by nightlife. Names for all places, attractions, hotels, and restaurants are shown in Chinese characters as well as in English. That way users can communicate well with taxi drivers and ask directions by showing the book page, which will have a picture of the attraction as well.hief's daughter. He later became interpreter for the Spanish. Mérida, called La Ciudad Blanca, the White City, is the capital of the Yucatán and the cultural center of the state. Built over the ancient Maya city of T'Ho, Mérida's light-colored façades crowning its colonial architecture are dazzling. Since the state's major university campuses are located here, an atmosphere of youthfulness and artistic culture pervades the city. The Maya city of Ichcaanziho was captured by the conquistadores in the mid-1500s. First the Spaniards came for the peaceful isolated life as cattle ranchers but by the 1800s they discovered henequen, a.k.a. green gold. Henequen, taken from the agave cactus, is grown abundantly in the area and was used for making rope. By 1927 there were 658 haciendas growing and processing henequen. The richest of the families was that of Francisco del Mozo whose home was built along Paseo de Montejo. He so loved the city, because it reminded him of his home in Spain, that he renamed it Mérida. His house eventually became a city bank. However, six months after the city was baptized in 1542 with its modern name, 60,000 Maya attacked, protesting the exploitation of them and their land. Their defeat was the beginning of the end of the Maya era. This book is based on the section devoted to Merida, Chetumal, Xcalak, Campeche, Laguna de Bacalar & the surrounding areas from our comprehensive Adventure Guide to the Yucatan. Adventure Guides show you how to experience the places you visit more directly, freshly, intensely than you would otherwise -sometimes best done on foot, in a canoe, or through cultural adventures like art courses, cooking classes, learning the language, meeting the people, joining in the festivals and celebrations. This can make your trip life-changing, unforgettable. All of the detailed information you need is here about the hotels, restaurants, shopping, sightseeing. But we also lead you to new discoveries, turning corners you haven't turned before, helping you to interact with the world in new ways. That's what makes our Adventure Guides unique.

Author: Foster, Simon
Publisher: Hunter Publishing
Illustration: N
Language: ENG
Title: China Adventure Guide
Pages: 00072 (Encrypted EPUB)
On Sale: 2011-04-20
SKU-13/ISBN: 9781588436542
Category: Travel : Asia - China