Treasures and Pleasures of China

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By Ron and Caryl Krannich, Ph.Ds

China has undergone revolutionary changes since 1979 when Deng Xiaoping declared that to be rich is glorious – and proceeded on a deliberate path to transform China into an economic powerhouse. Today’s New China has jettisoned orthodox communism as it continues to rapidly embrace a Chinese form of capitalism complete with a thriving private sector of merchants, shopkeepers, and entrepreneurial artists and craftspeople.

The results of this new capitalism are especially evident in major urban centers where glittering new hotels, shopping centers, and commercial buildings have dramatically transformed drab and chaotic urban landscapes.

Forget what you’ve heard about China three, five, or ten years ago; it’s probably irrelevant or inaccurate. Here’s the book that reveals the many surprising treasures and pleasures of the New China where shopping has come of age and continues to be one of the favorite pastimes for locals and visitors alike.

Examining Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and the Yangtze River area, The Treasures and Pleasures of China is the first book to focus on the what, where, and how of shopping in China. Covering everything from five-star hotel shopping arcades to clothing and antique markets, the book tells it like it really is – how to avoid rip-offs and petty cheating; where to find bargains; how to bargain for the best prices; where to meet and buy directly from artists and craftspeople; and how to ship with ease.

In Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, you’ll discover one of the most interesting shopping phenomena in the world, Maos Malls – bomb shelters built during the days of the Sino-Soviet conflict and now converted into underground shopping malls!

The book also identifies the best hotels, sightseeing, and special tours in China, including the popular Yangtze River cruises that ply the waters between Chongqing and Wuhan. The book is jam-packed with useful how-to strategies, names, and addresses not found elsewhere.

You’ll be a smarter shopper and traveler with this fascinating and informative book, another volume in our Impact Guides series, about China’s best treasures and pleasures.

PRAISE FROM REVIEWERS AND READERS

“The Pleasures and Treasures of China will prove itself indispensable for the serious China-bound traveler.”
—The Midwest Book Review

“Right up to date. All the latest sightseeing, hotels, restaurants, very strong on shopping….Very good for business people as well as tourists.”
—Russia & China Newsletter

“After reviewing many travel guides, I chose this book to buy because it gave me not only insight to the same cities I am about to tour, but the how to’s as well. With limited time in each city, I can go directly to the ‘best of the best’ in accommodations, restaurants, sightseeing, entertaining, and shopping. It has also supplied me with advice on how to bargain!”
–Reader, U.S.

“…We took your book and had to concur with everything you said. We could hardly believe that 80-90% discounts were in order, but we soon found out they were!! The Friendship Stores were everything you described…Many thanks for the book, it certainly was a help.”
–L.G., U.S.

“I want you to know how much I enjoyed your book. Like many people I picked up a ton of guide books to China before we took off on our trip….However, yours was totally unique and it was not until we had finished our trip that I fully appreciated everything you covered. It was also the only guidebook I took with us.”
–C.S., U.S.