Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 15
 A Resource & A Bargain September 13, 2007
A. Morrow (San Francisco, CA USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Comprehensive, concise and well-organized. A great resource and a true bargain. The fact that this series proudly features long-time local residents in their guides says a lot about their commitment and values. I also appreciate that they inspire enthusiasm and exploration in the reader almost from the first page. Also note this is hot off the presses in August 2007. Unless they somehow got everything totally wrong (I'll know when I visit over New Year's) this is 5 stars easily.
Great value September 4, 2004
Chukcha the Reviewer (Australia)
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
Lonely Planet is de-facto standard of the travel guides, and therefore it is exactly what can be expected of de-facto standards: most reliable, comprehensive, but lacking the pointers to the "hidden gems".
As others have already pointed out, Chinese characters are printed near every location, which enables simple interaction with the non-English speaking natives. The maps are great, but don't expect them to be 100% accurate for a rapidly changing place like Beijing. (For example, in May 2004 they already had an extra subway line which didn't appear in the guide) Other perks are the great quality of binding which makes it easier to travel with (on one occasion it got wet, but somehow survived) and great sense of humor.
The only major disadvantage was the lack of "off the beaten track" info. I'ld say the best bet is getting these tips from other travelers or maybe using another guidebook as a sidecar.
Still, LP offers the best value for the money.
 Does the job September 2, 2005
Jared M (Hamilton New Zealand)
25 out of 28 found this review helpful
The latest edition of LP Beijing follows the new formatting that LP introduced in 2004 for its travel guides. There are inserts of colour photography for those of you so inclined. The Language section is OK, and chinese is used on the maps to assist you when dealing with taxi/bus drivers.
Generally speaking, the LP Beijing City Guide will do the job for short term visitors to the city, and these short term visitors are the target audience for these books. Those staying long term as ESL teachers or in other capacities will find it lacking after a while, but there is only so much you can squeeze into these books anyway.
Just a note to those planning on visiting the city in the next few months. A lot of the major sights, such as the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, are under restoration as part of the city's preparation for the 2008 Olympics (see the Olympic countdown clock outside the main entrance of the Museum of Chinese History), with scaffolding and workmen all over the show. You can still get into these places, but may not be able to see all the sights mentioned in the guidebook. But be sure to get a photo of the Starbucks which is slap bang in the middle of this historic city. Commercialism at its finest...
I'm normally a devoted LP customer, but I have to admit to making an impulse decision to purchase the Insight City Guide to Beijing. I found the Insight guide to be almost as good, particularly where maps are concerned. The Insight guide was also cheaper than the LP book, although I think the LP listed more activities. For me though, Lonely Planet still sets the standard for Travel Guides.
Great Travel Guide, More Useful than others, Needs Update. August 18, 2004
Mark (East Coast)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
I found this travel guide to Beijing to be very useful and nicely put together. Lonely planet always has nice graphics and pictures. The information was short and sweet. There was enough information to be useful, but not so much that it was overkill.
As has been pointed out, the chinese characters are included which is very helpful. Also, it is true that with development being what it is in China it is impossible to write a guide that is totally up to date. Clearly, being published going on 2 years ago, this book could use an update.
All that being said, this is the best guidebook to Beijing that I have seen out there. That is why I am giving it 4 stars. Happy Travels!
Tough Task December 18, 2003
Rob Gonzalez (Fairfield, CT United States)
17 out of 23 found this review helpful
Since gaining WTO membership and winning the bid to host the 2008 Olympics two years ago, China has been doing a great deal of house cleaning in its major cities. Beijing in particular is currently undergoing an incredible amount of construction. Ancient neighborhoods and alleyways are being torn town and replaced by mammoth skyscrapers at an incredible rate. Almost anywhere you go in the city you will encounter cranes towering above scaffolding or as yet undeveloped land. New subway lines and major roads are being added at an incredible rate.That being the case, it is impossible to write a 5 star guidebook for the city. The lonely Planet's guidebook does a pretty good job of keeping on top of things, but is unfortunately out of date from the day it hits the presses.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 15
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