East is East..., Rudyard Kipling said, but he'd be surprised at just how completely the twain is meeting these days, what with China fast becoming the hot travel destination and Beijing hosting the 2008 Olympics. We've done an overview below of a number of major travel guides to China, some of them lavishly illustrated, some the well-known general guides travelers have come to rely on, and a few that highlight lifestyle and cuisine, because nearly everything about China is wondrous and, as far as we're concerned, you can never learn enough about this country that has captured the imagination of the 21st century. In addition to these guides, don't overlook specialty books like Hutong Alleys from Foreign Languages Press or DK's red satin—covered China—the next best thing to actually making the journey.

Fodor's China, Fifth Edition

Edited by Margaret Kelly. Fodor's, paper $25.95 (768p) ISBN 978-1-4000-1731-7

With its perfectly balanced mix of historical tidbits and practical travel info, this latest edition of Fodor's popular travel guide is a must for first-time visitors to China. Arranged by region, and further divided by city and popular attractions, this easy-to-read guide can be consulted before and during one's vacation. Highlights include sample itineraries, recommendations on the best seasons to travel and a guide to various activities, covering everything from ancient villages to long-distance bicycling. With lodging, dining and sightseeing suggestions for each region and city, Fodor's reliable guide should make any Chinese adventure more enjoyable. (June 2007)

China (Eyewitness Travel Guide)

DK Publishing. DK Travel, $30 (672p) ISBN 978-0756-60919-1

DK's informative and beautifully laid out overview of China is a must for the experienced and first-time traveler alike. Divided by region, and further subdivided by major cities and attractions within each, this guide abounds with just enough historical detail to make sightseeing adventures resonate, as well as providing practical information for choosing the best hotel and transportation options in each region. The only potential drawback is the book's hefty weight, but travelers will soon discover that it's well worth it to have such an abundance of information available in a single, readable volume. (Aug. 2005)

Beijing Local Delicacies

Song Weizhong, Wang Jiayan and Zhou Shuo, trans. from the Chinese by Wang Yufan. China Pictorial (China Book, dist.), paper $9.95 (110p) ISBN 978-7802-20064-7

Readers may find themselves unsure how to put this combination food-focused travel guide and culinary history lesson to best use. Covering a wide variety of snack foods common in Beijing—from the city's signature roast duck to the lesser-known baishui yangtou (boiled sheep's head)—the guide provides an abundance of history behind each dish but leaves it up to the reader to procure them. The small appendix of popular restaurants included in the last section contains few maps and specific street addresses, making it difficult for tourists to quickly skim for potential eateries, although visitors to Beijing will be enlisting lots of help from friendly citizens in navigating the city. Well suited for a connoisseur of Chinese cuisine wanting to bone up on the history of a favorite food, this is a guide especially for travelers interested in local cooking techniques. (Jan. 2007)

Lonely Planet China, 10th Edition

Damian Harper, Andrew Burke and Julie Grundvig. Lonely Planet, paper $31.99 (1,028p) ISBN 978-1-74059-915-3

Though perhaps heavier on text than on the color photographs of many comparable guides, Lonely Planet's detailed handbook will prove to be an invaluable resource for travelers. Each of the country's major cities receives a separate chapter, with surrounding towns and attractions grouped under the same heading for easy travel planning. Covering everywhere from Beijing to Tibet, Lonely Planet strives to give travelers both the general knowledge to enjoy a vacation to China and specific cultural details to ensure the trip will be an enriching one. The practical chapter near the end includes information on the best itineraries when traveling with children, as well as general information on climate and crime statistics. This is a must-have for the serious traveler, before, during and even after the trip. (May 2007)

Frommer's China, Second Edition

Jen Lin-Liu, Dinny McMahon, Paul Mooney, Sharon Owyang, Beth Reiber, Graeme Smith and Christopher D. Winnan. Frommer's/Wiley, paper $24.99 (843p) ISBN 978-0764-59743-5

Though it lacks the color photographs and detailed maps so common in travel guides, this Frommer's companion to China is surprisingly easy to read. With its detailed index, menu pronunciation guide and myriad potential day trips and cultural attractions, this is a guide for the veteran and first-time traveler. Perhaps most informative is the “Best Of” section in the beginning, where visitors can match their personal interests—everything from temples to great shopping—with the best the country has to offer. A handy, if hefty, volume to read in preparation for and during one's vacation. (Apr. 2006)

The Rough Guide to China

David Leffman, Simon Lewis and Jeremy Atiyah. Rough Guides, paper $29.99 (1272p) ISBN 978-1843-53479-2

One of the few guides to separate the cultural history sections from the day-to-day vacation attractions, Rough Guides provides an easily accessible introduction to one of the world's oldest civilizations. With ample coverage of the basics—travel visas, accommodations and health concerns—the guide is then simply divided by city, with each section beginning with a list the area's highlights. There are detailed maps provided for each city and region, including suggestions for places to eat and drink. With its emphasis on text, this guide may be better suited for the traveler with a direction in mind for his or her trip, but the detailed table of contents and the easily navigated format should appeal to those in the beginning stages of planning a vacation. (Oct. 2005)

Adventure Guide China

Simon Foster. Hunter (800-255-0343), paper $24.99 (850p) ISBN 978-1588-43641-2

A thorough guide not only to traveling in China but also to the country's history and cultural practices, this should satisfy the novice and seasoned traveler alike. With vacation ideas for everyone from the hot air balloonist to those concerned with minimizing tourism's ecological impact, perhaps the most helpful section is the detailed “Top 25” list, which suggests not only individual sights to see but also entire itineraries by region and interest. Each city and region is covered from all angles, including activities suitable for those traveling with children. An informative read for those unfamiliar with the country and an excellent way to brush up for the more experienced traveler, this is another excellent guide for planning a Chinese vacation. (Nov. 2007)

China Living

Sharon Leece, photography by A. Chester Ong. Tuttle/Periplus, $44.95 (240p) ISBN 978-0794-60435-6

This elegant guide to the architectural fusion of modern and traditional aesthetics in Chinese home design is gorgeously laid out and will appeal to both the practiced and novice eye. Tracing the rise of private Chinese architectural firms—which sprang up as recently as the early 1990s—former Elle Decoration Hong Kong editor-in-chief Leece presents myriad examples of the race to innovate within the field of home design. The book is divided into the four sections, or “schools,” of contemporary Chinese design: “New Creativity,” “Urban Innovation,” “Elemental Appeal” and “City Glamour.” Each section features Ong's crisp color photographs, highlighting the interior and exterior innovations of each space. (Nov. 2007)

AAA Spiral China

Graham Bond. AAA Spiral Editions (NBN, dist.), $17.95 (214p plus atlases in back) ISBN 978-159508-234-3

This accessible guidebook is a superlative combination of cultural history and practical information. Tracing China's roots, from its natural wonders to its technological innovations, this handbook helps first-time travelers get acquainted with everything from maneuvering through the major airports to finding the best hotels. Each regional subsection—covering large cities such as Beijing and Shanghai as well as remote areas on the Silk Road—provides ample maps and color illustrations for easy reference. With its helpful hints on “Getting Your Bearings” in each region, this is an indispensable guide for the eager first-time traveler hoping to make the most of his time in China. (Feb. 2008)

Travel Around China: The Guide to Exploring the Sites, the Cities, the Provinces, and More

Blue Sky Publishing. Collins, $24.95 (896p) ISBN 978-00614-7354-8

A thorough guide sure to delight the armchair and actual traveler alike, this detailed account of all aspects of Chinese life and culture is first-rate. Not only will the guide help potential vacationers plan a trip—with practical hints on itineraries and optimal seasons to visit—but it will also be an invaluable resource for first-time visitors. Each region is subdivided by city, rating the local cuisine and lodging options and suggesting festivals and cultural attractions to visit. With its easy-to-read format and wealth of information, this guide will entice readers to plan their own Chinese vacations. (Apr. 2008)