Frommer's EasyGuide to Beijing, Xian and Shanghai (Easy Guides)

This book tries to encompass all 3 cities in 1 book. It's a good overview book but not a great book for detailed information. I feel like I still would like to purchase a more detailed book for each city. Unlike the other individual more thorough books, it didn't give me advice about where to stay or what to see. This just tells you a quick synopsis of each area and the sites, no recommendations. The first part of the book spent too much time about China's history and the different periods. I would have rather skipped all that information and used those pages to give more pertinent information to the traveler. The listings of hotels and restaurants are almost useless. It's so few, just a couple for each area that it's a joke. In retrospect, I would have skipped this book and looked for more individual books instead.

I've been a big Frommer's fan over the years, and this guide does not disappoint. However, I purchased Frommer's Beijing book about eight years ago, and it seems more insightful. One of the big things missing in this current book is the naming of hotels, restaurants, and attractions in Chinese charaters. This is really important, since most of the taxi drivers cannot speak English, or even recognize names in English or Pinyin.

The book starts out by giving you a brief history on China and then moves into the 3 cities. It has some great suggestions for itineraries as well tips on what times to visit the highlights in each city. I also thought it was great how it not only gave you suggestions on what to eat and do, but explained the history and culture associated with each activity. It also has some really nice maps in the back that can be used.

Purchased this to research an upcoming trip to China. This guidebook is perfect because I will be visiting all three cities included! Very in-depth information that goes into not only the tourist attractions and sites, but also the regional, political, religious, linguistic, and socioeconomic history. Very fascinating. It has great in-depth information on what to visit and why. Also lots of helpful recommendations for hotels, restaurants, shopping, etc. It's fairly compact and I'm definitely going to be bringing it with me to China for reference.

Extremely helpful and useful book!!! I went on a trip to China, visiting mostly these three cities and surrounding cities (which are also covered in detail). Others around me were constantly borrowing this and/or asking me "what does your book say about ____?" Has prettty much any detail you need, with good, solid opinions and advice from someone who lived there for a long time and who (miracle of miracles) has a cool sense of humor! :-)

I visited all three of the cities mentioned in this book. It is invaluable. It not only helped me navigate my outings successfully, it gave me the confidence to let me enjoy myself. I highly recommend this book.

I downloaded the electronic version on Kindle. It helped me avoid having to carry a heavy book.The information was spot on for me to get around Xian and it put the different attractions into perspective.

The book is ok but I wouldn't say great. It tells you the basics but I didn't find it terribly enlightening. However I am comparing it to a Rick Steves travel book and his books are the best.

Great guide really helped us out.

Excellent. Full of off the beaten track ideas.