In this account of Daoism as an authentic, lived tradition, Debra Liu, an ordained Daoist in the Quanzhen school, takes the reader on a journey of discovery through China’s sacred mountains. Discover the hidden caves of Huashan, freshwater pools where alchemists once lived on Luofushan, and the opulent brilliance of the Gold Palace atop Wudangshan, as the author explores the rich culture and history of the Daoist tradition. Debra Liu seamlessly integrates elements of Daoist philosophy and contemporary practice in this fascinating account, where the past is inextricably entwined with the present, where each step up a mountain is punctuated with agnificent vistas, archaic legends and the chants of ancient scriptures echoing across stone stairways.Through this book, the reader can enter the mountains to find the beating heart of the Daoism, as a vibrant, modern practice with deep roots in antiquity. Read more

From a renowned Johns Hopkins- and Stanford-educated cardiologist at Intermountain Medical Center—a hospital system that President Obama has praised as an "island of excellence"—comes the story of his time living in Longevity Village in China, and the seven lessons he learned there that lead to a happy, healthy, long lifeAt forty-four, acclaimed cardiologist John Day was overweight and suffered from insomnia, degenerative joint disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. On six medications and suffering constant aches, he needed to make a change. While lecturing in China, he’d heard about a remote mountainous region known as Longevity Village, a wellness Shangri-La free of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, dementia, depression, and insomnia, and where living past one hundred—in good health—is not uncommon.In the hope of understanding this incredible phenomenon, Day, a Mandarin speaker, decided to spend some time living in Longevity Village. He learned everything he could about this place and its people, and met its centenarians. His research revealed seven principles that work in tandem to create health, happiness, and longevity—rules he applied to his own life. Six months later, he’d lost thirty pounds, dropped one hundred points off his cholesterol and twenty-five points off his blood pressure, and was even cured of his acid reflux and insomnia. In 2014 he began a series of four-month support groups comprised of patients who worked together to apply the lessons of Longevity Village to their lives. Ninety-two percent of the participants were able to adhere to their plans and stay on pace to reach their health goals.Now Dr. Day shares his story and proven program to help you feel sharper, more motivated, productive, and pain-free. The Longevity Plan is not only a fascinating travelogue but also a practical, accessible, and groundbreaking guide to a better life. Read more

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: China reveals the magnificence of China's greatest sights, including in-depth coverage of the Forbidden City and Terracotta Soldiers. The guide provides expert tips for visiting the Great Wall, cruising through the stunning Yangzi Three Gorges, and exploring the ultra-modern cities of Shanghai and Hong Kong.Explore China's cultural heritage through richly illustrated features on everything from the Beijing Opera to Confucianism, calligraphy, and the cult of Mao.DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: China includes 3-D cutaway illustrations, floor plans, and reconstructions of the major architectural sights, plus maps of the key cities and towns. The best places to stay and eat have been provided by resident experts and recommendations on regional specialties will ensure you don't miss China's best dishes. Markets and festivals are listed town by town.With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that brighten every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: China shows you this diverse country as no one else can. Read more

William Dalrymple’s award-winning first book: his classic, fiercely intelligent and wonderfully entertaining account of his journey across Marco Polo’s 700-year-old route from Jerusalem to Xanadu, the summer palace of Kubla Khan.   At the age of twenty-two, Dalrymple left his college in Cambridge to travel to the ruins of Kubla Khan’s stately pleasure dome in Xanadu. As he and his companions travel across the width of Asia—crossing through Acre, Aleppo, Tabriz, Tashkurgan, and other mysterious and sometimes hellish places—they encounter dusty, forgotten roads, unexpected hospitality, and difficult challenges. Stylish, witty, and knowledgeable about everything from the dreaded order of Assassins to the hidden origins of the Three Magi, this is travel writing at its best. Read more

Full of unforgettable figures and an unrelenting spirit of adventure, Strange Stones is a far-ranging, thought-provoking collection of Peter Hessler’s best reportage—a dazzling display of the powerful storytelling, shrewd cultural insight, and warm sense of humor that are the trademarks of his work.Over the last decade, as a staff writer for The New Yorker and the author of three books, Peter Hessler has lived in Asia and the United States, writing as both native and knowledgeable outsider in these two very different regions. This unusual perspective distinguishes Strange Stones, which showcases Hessler’s unmatched range as a storyteller. “Wild Flavor” invites readers along on a taste test between two rat restaurants in South China. One story profiles Yao Ming, basketball star and China’s most beloved export, another David Spindler, an obsessive and passionate historian of the Great Wall. In “Dr. Don,” Hessler writes movingly about a small-town pharmacist and his relationship with the people he serves.While Hessler’s subjects and locations vary, subtle but deeply important thematic links bind these pieces—the strength of local traditions, the surprising overlap between apparently opposing cultures, and the powerful lessons drawn from individuals who straddle different worlds. Read more

Money-saving tips and expert China travel advice from a 10-year expat and professional travel writer! China as a travel destination can be daunting, overwhelming and frankly a bit scary.But it doesn't have to be.Whether you're still weighing the decision or you've already purchased your flight tickets, this unique China travel guide is an indispensable resource for any traveler. This is everything you need to know before you travel to China - the things that other major travel guides gloss over and expect you to figure out on your own.What This China Travel Guide Book Will Teach You:How to Apply for a Visa: What China visa do you need and are you eligible for China's visa-free transit?How to Prepare for Your Trip: Do you need vaccines? What about healthcare in China and do you need travel insurance?Money in China: Mobile payments are huge in China, but short-term travelers can't use it. So what options do you have and how will you pay for things?How to Travel Within China: It's not about where to go, it's teaching you how to get there. Guides for trains, planes, taxis and buses!How to Stay Connected: Can you use your phone in China? Is China's internet censored and how do you get around that?All About the Chinese Language: Can you travel without knowing Chinese? If so, how? And what is the best way to learn before you go?All About Staying Healthy: What should you know about Chinese hospitals? Is travel insurance a good thing for China?FAQ: Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about China travel.Bonus Features:Downloadable Packing List: Download and print a travel packing list that will prepare you for your travels to China!Recommended Travel Operators: A listing of the best local travel operators that can give you the most unique local experiences.Special Discounts: Get exclusive discounts on the travel services every traveler uses.The discounts alone could save you hundreds of dollars as you plan your trip!China Travel Guide 2019This is an excellent companion guide to any major travel guide book to China - no matter if you're traveling solo or with a tour group.Follow the travel advice trusted by millions of China travelers every year!About TravelChinaCheaper.com: First launched in 2013, Travel China Cheaper has grown to become one of the most trusted and respected sources of China travel information. Each month, over a quarter of a million readers get unbiased answers to questions in an easy-to-understand format. Read more

Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime to Hong Kong.Discover Hong Kong's most popular experiences and best kept secrets - neighbourhood by neighbourhood - from soaring over Lantau in a cable car to the Po Lin Monastery; to hitting up historic Temple Street Night Market in search of snacks, souvenirs and street life; and making a pilgrimage to forest-clad Victoria Peak for unbeatable city views.Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet's Hong Kong travel guide:Our classic guidebook format provides you with the most comprehensive level of information for planning multi-week tripsUpdated with an all new structure and design so you can navigate Hong Kong and connect experiences together with easeCreate your ideal trip with exciting Perfect Day itineraries with suggestions of unmissable attractions and activities to match your passions, plus day trips from Hong Kong so you can explore the surrounding areasGet fresh takes on must-visit sights including Mai Po Wetlands; Sha Tau Kok; Hong Kong Geopark, and moreSpecial features on excursions to outlying islands; choosing your harbour cruise; and a shopping guideExpert local recommendations on when to go, eating, drinking, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, adventure activities, festivals, and moreEssential information toolkit containing tips on arriving; transport; making the most of your time and money; LGBTIQ+ travel advice; useful words and phrases; accessibility; and responsible travelConnect with Hong Kong culture through stories that delve deep into local life, history, and traditions Inspiring full-colour travel photography and maps including a pull out city map of Hong Kong Covers: Central District; The Peak & Northwest Hong Kong Island; Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island; Aberdeen & South Hong Kong Island; Kowloon; Macau plus day trips to Tuen Mun; Yuen Long; Mai Po Wetlands; Fanling & Sheung Shui; Sha Tau Kok; Sai Kung; Hong Kong Geopark; Tai Po; Sha Tin; Tung Ping Chau; Clearwater Bay; Tsuen Wan; Tai Mo Shan; Tai O; Mui Wo & Discovery Bay; Hong Kong Disneyland; Big Buddha & Po Lin Monastery; Lamma; Cheung ChaueBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones)Add notes to personalise your guidebook experienceSeamlessly flip between pagesBookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flashEmbedded links to recommendations' websitesZoom-in on maps and imagesCreate a trip that's uniquely yours and get to the heart of this extraordinary city with Lonely Planet's Hong Kong.   Read more

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2025A Financial Times, New York Times and Times/Sunday Times Book of the Year'As powerfully intimate as it is politically incendiary' VOGUE'Private Revolutions could be a Netflix series, for family, violence and romance abound' IRISH TIMES'A portrait of China through four women who refused to accept the life laid out for them. Incredible' SUNDAY TIMES'A revelatory, moving and tender tale of hopes, fears and change' PETER FRANKOPAN Yuan Yang, the first Chinese-born British MP, tells the stories of four Chinese women striving for a better future in an unequal society. From June, who dreams of going to university rather than raising pigs, to Sam, forced into hiding as her activist peers are lifted from the streets, this is a singularly immersive portrait of a rapidly changing nation – and of the courage of those caught in the swell. Read more

The acclaimed travel writer chronicles a year of train travel across China in a revealing travelogue that “gives the reader much to relish and think about” (Publishers Weekly).The author of the train travel classics The Great Railway Bazaar and The Old Patagonian Express, takes to the rails once again in this account of his epic journey through China. The always irascible, infectiously curious author “is in top form as he describes the barren deserts of Mongolia and Xinjiang, the ice forests of Manchuria and the dry hills of Tibet. He captures their otherworldly, haunting appearances perfectly. He is also right on target when he talks about the ugliness of China's poorly planned, hastily built cities” (Mark Salzman, The New York Times). Theroux hops aboard a train as part of a tour group in London and sets out for China's border. He then spends a year traversing the country, where he pieces together a fascinating snapshot of a unique moment in history. From sweeping and desolate natural landscapes to the dense metropolises of Shanghai, Beijing, and Canton, Theroux offers an unforgettable portrait of a magnificent land and an extraordinary people. Read more

A stunning tour of China, its people, and its history. Chosen as one of the best travel books of 1996 by the New York Times Book Review. Rising in the mountains of the Tibetan border, the Yangtze River, the symbolic heart of China, pierces 3,900 miles of rugged country before debouching into the oily swells of the East China Sea. Connecting China's heartland cities with the volatile coastal giant, Shanghai, it has also historically connected China to the outside world through its nearly one thousand miles of navigable waters. To travel those waters is to travel back in history, to sense the soul of China, and Simon Winchester takes us along with him as he encounters the essence of China--its history and politics, its geography and climate as well as engage in its culture, and its people in remote and almost inaccessible places. The River at the Center of the World is travel writing at its best: lively, informative, and thoroughly enchanting. Read more

In 1990 young British traveller Michael Woodhead stumbled across a series of articles from the 1920 describing the travels of an eccentric Australian-American botanist, Joseph Rock in the Tibetan borderlands. Over the next two decades, Michael would make annual trips to China to rediscover the great mountain ranges and river canyons described so dramatically by Joseph Rock. In many cases, Michael was the first westerner to visit and photograph the off-the-beaten track areas since Rock's day. In this book, Michael describes his visits to mountain regions such as Yading, Gongga Shan and Meili Xueshan, as well as great rivers such as the Lancang (Mekong) and Nu (Salween). As well as now-and-then comparisons of change, the book is a record of the people he met along the way and also captures what it was like to travel in China in the 1990s, when the country had just opened up to western tourists and had not yet developed tourism infrastructure. Read more

The Venetian adventurer Marco Polo traveled from Europe to Asia in the late thirteenth century, as immortalised in his seminal work of travel literature. It describes Polo’s assorted travels throughout Asia and his experiences in the sumptuous court of Kublai Khan. Composed at a time when very little was known about the Far East, Polo’s account opened new vistas to the European mind, allowing Western horizons to expand. His description of Japan set a definite goal for Christopher Columbus in his journey of 1492, while Polo’s detailed discoveries of spices encouraged Western merchants to seek new sources and break trading monopolies. The wealth of geographic information recorded by Polo was widely used in the late fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, fuelling an era of great European discoveries. Delphi’s Medieval Library provides eReaders with rare and precious works of the Middle Ages, with noted English translations and the original texts. This eBook presents Marco Polo’s complete text, with illustrations, an informative introduction and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1)* Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Polo's life and adventures* Features the complete extant works of Marco Polo, in both English translation and Giovanni Battista Ramusio’s original Italian text* The complete Yule-Cordier 1903 translation, with hundreds of illustrations and footnotes* Concise introduction to the text* Superior formatting* Easily locate the sections you want to read with individual contents tables* Features four bonus biographies — discover Polo's medieval worldCONTENTS:The TranslationBrief Introduction to Marco PoloThe Travels of Marco Polo (c. 1300)The Original TextThe Italian TextThe BiographiesMarco Polo (1832) by James Augustus St. JohnSir Marco Polo, the Venetian, and His Travels in Asia (1893) by W. H. Davenport AdamsMarco Polo (1904) by John H. HaarenMarco Polo (1911) by Henry Yule and Charles Raymond Beazley Read more

Essential Mandarin Chinese Grammar is a systematic overview of Mandarin grammar, oriented toward self-study, English-speaking students.Through explanations of common mistakes learners make, useful example sentences and exercises with an answer key, this book provides a detailed introduction to the unique grammar structures of the Mandarin language.Ideal for any student who is interested in taking their skills to the next level, this book makes the difficult task of perfecting grammar efficient, interesting and rewarding. Essential Mandarin Chinese Grammar is a perfect tool to help you form correct and natural-sounding sentences, and determine how to best use the grammar you need for reading or writing Mandarin.Each example and exercise is written in both pinyin and Simplified Chinese Characters to accommodate learners with varying levels of character literacy, including those who have learned only to speak but not read. Read more

The Artists IssueFeaturing:“The Sketch of Self Doubt” by Erique Chong“Facezine # 183” by Joel Fremming“Younger Man Eat More” by Kristin Foss and Paulina Olejnik“Artist Residency in Taiwan” by Fabienne Good“Makin’ Comics” by Ray Hecht“My Black Hole” by Patty Hogan“Thai in Taiwan” by Thai Martin“A Day in the Life” by Daniel Martinez Sierra“The Concept” by Stefano Misesti“Sweat & Blood” by Daniel C. Moore“Changes” by Jon Renzella“Bonds” by Angela Sauceda“Finding Faces” by Bronwen Shelwell“Worries” by Royce Widjaya Read more

None

Have you been trying to learn Chinese (Mandarin) and simply can’t find the way to expand your vocabulary?Do your teachers recommend you boring textbooks and complicated stories that you don’t really understand?Are you looking for a way to learn the language quicker without taking shortcuts?If you answered “Yes!” to at least one of those previous questions, then this book is for you! We’ve compiled the 2000 Most Common Words in Chinese, a list of terms that will expand your vocabulary to levels previously unseen.Did you know that — according to an important study — learning the top two thousand (2000) most frequently used words will enable you to understand up to 84% of all non-fiction and 86.1% of fiction literature and 92.7% of oral speech? Those are amazing stats, and this book will take you even further than those numbers!In this book:A detailed introduction with tips and tricks on how to improve your learningA list of 2000 of the most common words in Chinese and their translationsAn example sentence for each word – in both Chinese and EnglishFinally, a conclusion to make sure you’ve learned and supply you with a final list of tipsDon’t look any further, we’ve got what you need right here!In fact, we’re ready to turn you into a Chinese speaker… are you ready to become one? Read more

"In Search of Cognizance" is a profound and personal narrative by Nabraj Lama, chronicling his journey to Mount Kailash and his quest for spiritual and existential understanding. The manuscript delves into Lama's inner conflicts and aspirations, exploring themes of asceticism, spirituality, and the human quest for meaning. It recounts his transition from worldly pursuits to a deeper exploration of life and spirituality, influenced by his experiences and observations in various professional roles. Lama's journey to Mount Kailash, framed as both a physical and spiritual odyssey, reflects his struggle to balance material and spiritual realms. This travelogue offers insights into his transformative experiences, capturing the landscapes and cultures encountered, and providing a narrative on humanity's interconnectedness with nature and the divine. The book serves as both a travel diary and a philosophical reflection on life's mysteries, inviting readers on a journey of introspection and transformation. Read more

Scott Starkey and his wife Jennifer were determined after marrying that their household should never grow beyond the two of them - and however many dogs and cats occupied the premises at the time - when, in 2004, a chance encounter with a television program called "China's Lost Girls" set in motion a series of events that eventually led them to China and a thirteen month old little girl - their precious daughter Hope - in August, 2010. "You've Come a Long Way, Baby: A China Adoption Story" is a poignant, heartfelt, and frequently humorous chronicle of one couple's emotional adoption journey, including the decision to adopt, persistence through years of waiting, an anxiety filled two-week "adventure" in China where they met their little girl for the first time, and the challenges faced along the way. More importantly, it's a unique look at family, and what it really means to make one. Read more

Lonely Planet: The world's number one travel guide publisher Lonely Planet's Pocket Taipeiis your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Get the ultimate view from Taipei 101, explore the world-class antiquities at the National Palace Museum, and admire the grandeur of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall - all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Taipei and begin your journey now!Inside Lonely Planet's Pocket Taipei:Colour maps and images throughoutHighlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interestsInsider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spotsEssential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, pricesHonest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks missUser-friendly layout with helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your timeCovers Beitou, Shilin, Zhongshan, Datong, Zhongzheng, Ximending, Shida, Maokong, and moreThe Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Pocket Taipei is our colourful, easy to use and handy guide that literally fits in your pocket, and is packed with the best sights and experiences for a short trip or weekend away.About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveler's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia) Read more

How can garbage turn into gold? What does recycling have to do with globalization? Where does all that stuff we throw away go, anyway? When you drop your Diet Coke can or yesterday's newspaper in the recycling bin, where does it go? Probably halfway around the world, to people and places that clean up what you don't want and turn it into something you can't wait to buy. In Junkyard Planet, Adam Minter-veteran journalist and son of an American junkyard owner-travels deeply into a vast, often hidden, 500-billion-dollar industry that's transforming our economy and environment.Minter takes us from back-alley Chinese computer recycling operations to recycling factories capable of processing a jumbo jet's worth of trash every day. Along the way, we meet an international cast of characters who have figured out how to squeeze Silicon Valley-scale fortunes from what we all throw away. Junkyard Planet reveals how “going green” usually means making money-and why that's often the most sustainable choice, even when the recycling methods aren't pretty.With unmatched access to and insight on the waste industry, and the explanatory gifts and an eye for detail worthy of a John McPhee or William Langewiesche, Minter traces the export of America's garbage and the massive profits that China and other rising nations earn from it. What emerges is an engaging, colorful, and sometimes troubling tale of how the way we consume and discard stuff brings home the ascent of a developing world that recognizes value where Americans don't. Junkyard Planet reveals that Americans might need to learn a smarter way to take out the trash. Read more