China compels, the world's oldest continuous civilization a roller-coaster ride through captivating contradictions. History buffs immerse themselves, cultural explorers smile as they delve deeper, city breaks are covered, and it would take years to fully discover the eclectic nature on offer. Exotic narratives are omnipresent, blending with the futuristic design and millennia old towns. No country can offer such diversity or deliver such a wide reaching appeal. Yet at the heart of the experience, despite the juxtapositions and inimitability, China is irrefutably China: absolutely unique and unforgettable.
Is there a travel paradigm that the country doesn't offer? Ancient towns deliver shocks of intrigue, like the barefoot monks who walk down cobblestone alleys to historic temples. Then skyscrapers and the ultramodern welcome you to cities of enthusiasm and flashing lights. Wander through the bamboo forest and javelins of light reveal snow capped mountains in the distance. Warriors of terracotta stand beside fortress walls while rural communities retain their inimitability in far flung corners. Meet hundreds of confident students with perfect English, then laugh at the locals who clandestinely take photos of the white person. China offers a dozen different vacations and hundreds of distinct destinations, each confirming that the country is no mere single stereotype. It's as if a whole continent is at the tip of your fingertips, each direction pointing you to something mesmerizingly new.
From the moment you land to the moment you leave there's never any question, never a semblance of doubt about where you are. This is China. It's written onto every face, every street corner, every journey, and every destination. Even in the states annexed by China – like Tibet – the mark of China never leaves. And China is not like anywhere else. It's confusing and challenging. There's limited special treatment. For the most part, you must jump in with two feet and absorb the good and the bad, from deciphering Chinese calligraphy to spending weeks exclusively eating local food. Sometimes you can't pick or choose. This guidebook contains a whole section on how to survive in China, helping to minimize the culture shock as you explore the country.
