Why was this guide written?

The idea for this guide came as a result of several tourist trips in China. As a student of Chinese language and culture I have traveled with a tourist agency on a group tour as well as trips I have planned myself. I found the trips that I was able to plan and execute on my own were not only more enjoyable, but also provided a far greater opportunity to experience Chinese culture first hand and to use my language skills.   My first trip to China was on a guided tour because I didn’t feel confident in planning my own trip even though I had the skills to do so. I was lucky to be able to return to China again on my own trip, but many travelers may only have one chance to go. I wrote this guide to provide them with confidence to plan their own trip so they can have the experience they want.

Who is this guide for?

This guide is designed for those who want to plan their own trip to China to see and experience more of the country than a typical tourist can – and to do it for less money. With the wealth of information on traveling in China, planning a trip to this vast country can be overwhelming for the individual who wants to attempt the trip without relying on a travel agency’s pre-packaged tour. This guide will help you know what you should consider in planning your trip and provide you with necessary resources. Primary audience The primary audience will be for the student of the Mandarin language and Chinese culture. In addition to providing logistical information on travel arrangements there will also be suggestions for utilizing language skills and interacting with the Chinese people. Thus, it will be assumed that the reader is capable of at least simple conversation in Mandarin.   Secondary audience Though it is assumed the primary audience will have familiarity with China and the language, the guide book will also be very useful to anyone interested in planning their own trip to China, regardless of language skills. Many of the suggestions and resources in this guide require no knowledge of the language and indeed travel in China is becoming ever easier for foreigners with no Chinese language skills. Having a grasp of the language, however, even if limited, offers certain advantages and this guide will provide suggestions on utilizing those skills for those who have them.

How should I use this guide?

This guide is not designed to be a comprehensive reference. Its purpose is to provide you with guidance on what you should consider for planning your trip and then point you in the right direction for finding the additional information you will need. As such, for topics where information can be readily found elsewhere, this guide will provide only a basic overview and then a reference to where you can find more information on your own.   The guide has 6 sections which follow a chronological sequence for planning your trip. Each section has a list of questions that you may ask followed by information in response to those questions. The end of each question has a list of additional resources which will help you to know where you can find more information on a given topic.   Though the guide is written in a chronological outline, you can access the information you need in any order. If you have a specific question, refer to the table of contents to find where that question is addressed in the guide.