Book excerpt: Berlitz Handbook China is the ultimate practical, inspirational guide to this fascinating and enigmatic destination, with 304 pages combining authoritative narrative detail and stunning color photography. The opening section provides the reader with inspirational and practical tools that are essential when planning their trip. It includes a guide to China's Top 25 Attractions, which helps you to prioritise what you want to see - be it the Great Wall, a cruise along the Yangzi river, or the extraordinary landscapes of Guilin. There is an 8-page Trip Planner section including suggestions for a series of itineraries that make best use of your time, whether you're on a whistle-stop tour of the major sights or a month-long odyssey. What sets the guide apart is the illuminating Unique Experiences section, packed full of practical advice on how to make the most of some of the opportunities unique to China - including climbing one of its sacred Buddhist or Daoist mountains, shopping for bargains in what has recently become the new 'workshop of the world', and visiting the amazingly colorful minority groups of the southwestern backwoods. The Places Section divides China's immense terrain into 8 sections. Starting in the capital, Beijing, with its array of fabulous sights, it goes on to explore the northern reaches including the ancient heartlands around the Yellow River; the fascinating megalopolis of Shanghai; the Yangzi region of central China; the subtropical south; Hong Kong and Macau; the dramatic, colorful southwestern provinces; and, finally, the far-flung western regions of Tibet and the lands along the ancient Silk Road. Each chapter is color-coded for easy reference, and features everything you'll need to know about the sights and attractions in the area as well as maps to help you get around and carefully chosen listings of the best places to sleep, eat, drink, and get active. The Places section is interspersed with fully mapped tours, suggesting a classic walking route such as the contrasting sights of central Shanghai or a tour of the ancient walled city of Dali, and Cultural Spreads that give a striking insight into elements of Chinese culture and the visitor experience, from traditional medicine to train travel. Further practical advice is provided in a chapter dedicated to accommodations, transportation, health and safety, money and budgeting, responsible travel, and family holidays. The Setting the Scene chapter is devoted to China's historical and cultural background, plus information on the country's cuisine. A useful 8-page Phrasebook is included at the end of the book, with words and phrases in English, pinyin Chinese and Chinese characters.