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China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps
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This first-ever humorous travel guide on China both dishes the dirt on the myriad travel mishaps that may befall any unsuspecting tourist and explains how to avoid them! Possible danger zones debunked include airports, hotels, hospitals, taxis, and bathrooms. Readers will learn essential skills like how to haggle, exchange currencies, cross the street, decipher menus, say
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Paperback, 192 pages
Published
February 1st 2008
by Stone Bridge Press
(first published 2008)
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This book did what it was supposed to do - provide helpful information for anyone visiting China for the first time. There were many helpful tidbits. However, the authors also include numerous anecdotes - about 50% of which are actually helpful. Not to mention the authors multiple use of “backwards country” which felt a little elitist. Information itself was helpful though, as well as the list of phrases, sights to see, and further reading/movies.
I have been to China fourteen times, but still learned so much from this book. The information is up-to-date and delivered with humor and frankness. I'm not quite finished with the book, but couldn't wait to share it with you.
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A great help! More so if you are going without a tour, but mannerisms and what to expect food-wise was very helpful.
The authors kind of complained a lot/ most of the things they mentioned as being problems are really obvious things it would never occur to me to consider an issue. Oh noes, your hotel keycard doesn't work the first time you swipe it! That's not China's fault, you just didn't use it properly. Goodness me.
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I bought this book sorta on a whim. I was browsing for a paper tour guide, and came across this. I found a more-than-affordable copy, and I just chucked it in the shopping cart when I was snagging things online like outlet converters and pollution masks. This book is awesome! If you are going to China, for any reason whatsoever (unless you live there), get this book and read it before you leave! (I only wish there was one as good for every country in the world.) I am not exaggerating when I say
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fantastic！
this should be the first guide book you read on China. I've traveled abroad extensively, I wish I could have had a guide like this for every place I've been. You can read where to go and what to see books to your hearts content, but none of that matters if you can't get there or are injured or get too sick to enjoy yourself. I truly recommend this as your *first* book in planning any trips to China. Use the other ones to fill in the blanks. ...more
this should be the first guide book you read on China. I've traveled abroad extensively, I wish I could have had a guide like this for every place I've been. You can read where to go and what to see books to your hearts content, but none of that matters if you can't get there or are injured or get too sick to enjoy yourself. I truly recommend this as your *first* book in planning any trips to China. Use the other ones to fill in the blanks. ...more
I felt like there was a little too much on the complaining. However, I did find it very informative and pointed out some things I wouldn’t have known or considered. Definitely more helpful to those not going on a tour.
Great!
Covers a lot of areas. I will be living in china. This book is a great start in understanding the puzzle that is China
Covers a lot of areas. I will be living in china. This book is a great start in understanding the puzzle that is China
A real gem of useful info. I'm taking this with me on our trip as it has Chinese phrases amongst other invaluable tips. I feel like I've already visited China after reading this.
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This guide is useful depending on where you're going in China. Definitely has some useful tips, i.e. bringing bath tissue.
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Quick, Helpful tips for first time traveler to China. A number of things worth knowing either before leaving for China or your first few days.
Having been to China many times and living there for a semester, I really enjoyed reminiscing.
This book has some good pieces of advice about China, and I found that the formalities of manners in Chinese culture was much different than my first thought. However, the personal anecdotes, or, moreso, the constant reminders of the person anecdotes at every opportunity make the book kind of a dull read. Maybe after traveling through 20+ countries and living in a developing one I am jaded by the things a normal American would find quite strange.
Slogged my way through seemingly endless annoying anecdotes and smarmy comments (not to mention a thicket of exclamation points) to glean a modicum of information from this book. There are about 40 pages worth of useful content in this 264-page book. The rest is the author's belabored exhortations on various things that will be different in China (toilets, manners, transportation, and, well, you name it) plus entirely too many recollections of personal travel mishaps, such as the time he spraine
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I picked up this book in preparation for my trip to China in March 2016. This book is very easy to read and has very useful information. Although, some reviewers complain about so many stories, I found them funny and/or useful (depending on the annecdote). I think the stories made it easier to read for me.
After coming back from my trip I can tell you that this book did help me be prepared for or aware of certain situations I encountered. I must admit though, things I read here made me a bit par ...more
After coming back from my trip I can tell you that this book did help me be prepared for or aware of certain situations I encountered. I must admit though, things I read here made me a bit par ...more
I was traveling around in China for about a month and read this guide before I went, and carried it with me while I was there. Some of the information was useful, such as how some stores operate and some of the etiquette. It seemed to me, however, that too much of the book was eaten up with cutesy travel stories which while entertaining weren't terribly informative.
I was in Beijing and Xi'an which are remarkably simple to get around in for Westerners; English penetration is very high. I was also ...more
I was in Beijing and Xi'an which are remarkably simple to get around in for Westerners; English penetration is very high. I was also ...more
I am traveling to China for the first time in a few months, and I wanted a book that would help educate me about the customs and culture, and also what differences to anticipate from American culture. This book delivered exactly what I was looking for. I learned some important bits of information, and it all meshed with what other people and other resources have told me. I know other reviewers tired of the authors' various anecdotes, but I enjoyed reading them, and I felt like they gave me a mor
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This book includes lots of helpful information about Chinese culture (lines, shaking hands, handing someone something, where to place chopsticks) and city life (how to access a hospital, what kinds of toilets to expect), all in a short, easy to read book.
Reading it, I was annoyed by the author's somewhat condescending attitude, and the seeming reliance on only a couple trips to the country for much of the material. When _in_ China, however, I kept encountering situations (What's the deal with pu ...more
Reading it, I was annoyed by the author's somewhat condescending attitude, and the seeming reliance on only a couple trips to the country for much of the material. When _in_ China, however, I kept encountering situations (What's the deal with pu ...more
This might have made a great pamphlet, but was too full of unfunny, uninformative fluff. Seriously, a whole chapter on the importance of using blue or black ink on your departure card? Another on how Chinese people are so pushy that they might *gasp* GET IN YOUR WAY at your five-star hotel's breakfast buffet? There is some good information, but it's deeply buried. I was hoping for a China version of J.D. Viharini's Enjoying India, but was sorely disappointed.
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My husband and I read this book shortly before a two week trip to China in November. I'm sorry I didn't bring it with me. Some of it sounded corny and seemed anecdotal at times, but dang if something someone remembered from it didn't save our bacon or prevent head-scratching/extreme frustration several times (see especially the section on Chinese hotels). One of the most helpful books I read before travel. Thank you, thank you, Herzbergs!
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I found all the information in here to be totally true and quite helpful. It's witty and fun that make it a fun yet informative read. This doesn't work for extensive travel planning, but if you're going to China for a quick visit, this provides the crash course on how to fit in and not be offensive.
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Okay, so it was a little too chatty at times. And, at the beginning at least, seemingly rather negative. But I kept taking notes and placing bookmarks throughout because there was so much information I'm assuming will be helpful that I hadn't found anywhere else. I thank the Herzbergs for making me feel more prepared for my first visit to China
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This book has many down to earth tips and some useful information. I enjoyed the anecdotes they put a humorous emphasis, I think, on how things might go or work out should one find oneself in a similar situation. My copy has 262 pages as compared to the 232 listed for this edition but otherwise it's the same.
A fun fast read.
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A fun fast read.
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A quick read and must for anyone traveling to China for the first time. I skipped some of the anecdotes but most of the advice is right on. It is better to be prepared than to be completely shocked when you arrive. I read on the plane ride to Beijing and was glad I did.
HILARIOUS!!! I kept reading this aloud to Sam last night, and couldn't put it down! What a humorous, but respectful, means of approaching inevitable events that could lead to a bit o' culture shock. One chapter is entitled, "Encountering the Unusual." This will be a fun, quick read!
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I enjoyed reading this book; its entertaining. But once I visited China I found some of it must be out dated or not true of the larger cities in China. Some of it was applicable, though. So an ok read.
Apr 14, 2008
Merk Van
is currently reading it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone going to the Olympics
Recommended to Merk Van by:
Hardy Bickel
I learned how to travel in this fantastic country without being part of a tour group and to survive and thrive.
Not as humorous or helpful as I'd hoped, but picked up a few key ideas and phrases to use.
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Short and lightweight but interesting.
I can't say how much the information in this book will have helped me before I get to china, but I did find it a very enjoyable and engaging read full of tidbits that are sure to come in handy.
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Larry Herzberg studied Chinese for five years at Vanderbilt University before doing his Master's and Ph.D. work in Chinese Language and Literature at Indiana University. In 1980 he founded the Chinese Language Program at Albion College and then did the same at Calvin College in 1984. For the past three decades he has taught the Chinese language at the college level.
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“Don’t take everything for granted, and do not always count on finding everything you need.”
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“Hello nǐ hǎo knee how. (Think: How’s your knee, i.e., “How are you?”) Goodbye zàijiàn dzeye gee-en Thank you xiè xie syeh syeh (The second “xie” has no tone.) You’re welcome bú kè qi boo kuh chee (The “chee” has no tone.) Good morning zǎoshang hǎo dzow shahng how Please stand in line qǐng páiduì ching pie dway Too expensive taì guì le tie gway luh (Make it) cheaper piányi yìdiǎn pien yee ee dien (I; we) don’t want it búyào boo yow I want this one wǒ yào zhèige waw yow jay guh (Note: “guh” has no tone) How much (does it cost)? duóshǎo qian dwo shao chee-en Where is the bathroom? cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ tsuh swo dz-eye nah lee Over there nàli nah lee (Note: “lee” has no tone) Please give me qǐng gěi wǒ ching gay waw Fine; OK; good; alright hǎo how Not OK; no good bùhǎo boo how I want to go ____ Wǒ yào qù waw yow chee-you (Show taxi driver the address in Chinese.) (Want) to go to ____ Wǒ yào dào qù ____ waw you dow ____ chee-you (e.g., when buying tickets at train or bus station) Police! jǐngchá! jing chah! (in case of theft or emergency) Help! Help! jiùmìng! jiùmìng! jee-oh ming! jee-oh ming! Faster! kuài yìdiǎn! kweye ee dien! Numbers one through ten: one yī ee two èr ar three sān sahn four sì szih five wǔ woo six liù leo seven qī chee eight bā bah nine jiǔ geo ten shí sure one of something yíge ee guh two of something liǎngge lee-ang guh three of something sānge sahn guh Etc.”
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