Antique yet up-to-the-minute, familiar yet unrecognizable, outwardly urban but quintessentially rural, conservative yet path-breaking China is a land of mesmerizing and eye-opening contradictions. Our promise: You can trust our travel information because Lonely Planet authors visit the places we write about, each and every edition. We never accept freebies for positive coverage, and you can rely on us to tell it like we see it. Inside This Book: 11 intrepid authors; 198 maps; 76 temples & monasteries; 100s of noodle spots; Inspirational photos; Clear, easy-to-use maps; Hong Kong & Beijing pull-out map; Special Great Wall feature; Comprehensive planning tools; In-depth background.