China's Three Gorges, Xi'an & the Terracotta Warriors
Simon Foster
Hunter Publishing, Inc.
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© 2010 Hunter Publishing, Inc.
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This guide focuses on recreational activities. As all such activities contain elements of risk, the publisher, author, affiliated individuals and companies disclaim any responsibility for any injury, harm, or illness that may occur to anyone through, or by use of, the information in this book. Every effort was made to insure the accuracy of information in this book, but the publisher and author do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any liability for loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading information or potential travel problems caused by this guide, even if such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.
Cover photograph: Great Wall (© Tom Till/Alamy)
All photos by Simon Foster, unless otherwise indicated. Special thanks
to Tot Foster, Ewen Bell (www.ewenbell.com), Magalie L'Abbé and Galen Frysinger (www.galenfrysinger.com) for their photographs.
A Changing China
As is always the case with the information in guidebooks, things change. Hotels close down (or just get run down), great new restaurants pop up and bars, clubs and Internet cafés come and go with the wind. In a country changing as fast as China this is even more so, and new roads, hotels and even cities, seem to appear overnight. All of the information in this book was carefully researched and correct at time of going to press. If there's anything you come across in your travels that has closed or gone downhill, or any great new offerings or adventures that you think should be in the book, please contact the publishers at comments@hunterpublishing.com.
About the Author
Simon Foster was born in England. Family trips first kindled his interest in places other than his own and after graduating in geography he set off to seek what he'd been studying. Following his first extended trip, wanderlust firmly set in and Simon became an adventure tour leader in the Middle East and Asia. He soon started travel writing and has contributed to the Rough Guide's Australia, China, Egypt, Europe, India and Tunisia books. Simon has spent most of the past ten years overseas, principally in China and sunny southern Taiwan. When he's not working, Simon enjoys, you guessed it, travel, whether to the Philippines or just back home to Yorkshire.
the Rough Guide's Australia, China, Egypt, Europe, India and Tunisia books. Simon has spent most of the past ten years overseas, principally in China and sunny southern Taiwan. When he's not leading tours or writing, Simon enjoys, you guessed it, travel, whether to the Philippines or just back home to Yorkshire.
Dedication
I'd like to dedicate this book to my grandfather, Maurice, who traveled the globe with the merchant navy and always followed my world wanderings on his atlas at home in Newcastle in England. May he rest in peace.
Thanks
Friends, old and new, from around the globe, have played their part in this book, and I want to say a great big thank you for all the time, effort, tips and tales. Firstly, thanks to my wife, Tot, without whom I would've surely given up several times along the way. Tot assisted with research, writing and by taking many of the book's photos. I'd also like to say a big thank you to photographer Ewen Bell (www.ewenbell.com) who was kind enough to let us use his incredible images. Next, my best mate Craig, who read through material in record time and threw in the odd amusing comment to spur me on.
As always, my family has supported me and contributed their own skills - my dad helped to manage the project as a whole, my mum (the librarian) helped with the booklist and my sister and Monty resolved computer problems as I created them! My Uncle Mick is an ornithologist and helped on the Flora and Fauna section and Jadranka, an author herself, and my Uncle Jon proffered helpful advice.
In China: xie xie to Ben, Leo, Nick and Su-San in Beijing, Fox in Xi'an, Lu in Shandong, John Zhang in Chongqing, Steven Huang in Tunxi, Mr. Hu in Tangkou and Pete, Selina and Chris Winnan in Guangzhou. To my friends in Guangxi who helped re-initiate me to the new Yangshuo - Alf, Bill, Chris Barclay, Dee, Echo, Forest, Ian Ford and Ian Hamilton, Jessie, Malcolm, Naomi, William, Sam, Shelly, Xu Chen Zuo and the China Climb team. A bigger thank you still must go to William and Linda Lu who nourished me well with food and information. And an enormous thank you goes to Rose Mo who assisted with the language section. In Hong Kong: Sarah Clark and Paul Etherington. In Europe: thank you very much indeed to Adi Vimal, Dara-Lynne, Henrik Rasmussen and his family, Jane and Eric and Terry and Jensia. Last, but by no means least, thanks to Michael and the team at Hunter Publishing, for letting this book happen and for breaking up my unruly sentences!
Introduction
History
Prehistory
The Dynastic Age
The Revolutionary Years
The PRC Under Chairman Mao
The Reform Era (1976-present)
The Future
Geography
Flora & Fauna
Wildlife
Population
People
Religion & Philosophy
Beliefs & Superstitions
Culture
Architecture
Bronzes
Ceramics
Jade & Lacquer
Painting
Calligraphy
Literature
Poetry
Music
Acrobatics
Martial Arts
Film
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Travel & Living Information
Planning Your Trip
When to Go
Holidays & Festivals
Organized Tours
Visas
Insurance
What to Pack
Information Sources
Maps
Customs & Immigration
Getting Here & Away
Getting Around
Practicalities
Money Matters
Keeping in Touch
Media
Health
Restrooms
Safety
Facts & Figures
Accommodation
Food & Drink
Price Codes
The Four Major Styles
Where to Eat
Entertainment & Nightlife
Shopping
Adventures
Eco-Travel
The Top 25
Suggested Itineraries
The Imperial North
Cruise the Three Gorges
Shanghai, Silk & Tea
Big City Lights & Rural Delights
Xi'an
History
Getting Here & Away
Getting Around
Orientation