Xi'An/China's Ancient Capital (CHINA GUIDES SERIES) - Softcover

Holledge, Simon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0844298093 ISBN 13: 9780844298092

Publisher: Passport Books, 1993

Synopsis

Dubbed "the land of kings and emperors" by the poet Du Fu, Xian reigned supreme over four dynasties as China's capital Chang'an. Archaeological discoveries reflect Xian's past glories - such as the Sera Metropolis, start of the old Silk Road. Special topics include the peasant painters of Huxian, the concubine Yang Guifei and the Xian incident. Set in a historical context, this guide takes the reader round Xian starting from early Paleolithic sites, past Qin Shihaungdi's terracotta warriors to a park created during Chairman Mao's Great Leap Forward. Literary excerpts and sidebars illuminate local culture. Simon Holledge has also written "Guide to Zhejiang and Hangzhou".

About this title

About the Author

Kevin Bishop left England in 1983, after nine years in business management, to fulfil an ambition. He spent the next three years travelling through Africa, where he developed his keen interest in photography. Later, after employment in such diverse occupations as taxi driver and restaurant manager, he turned his attention to Asia. He has traveled extensively in China, and now resides in Hong Kong. He is the author of China's Imperial Way (Odyssey, 1997).

Review

...Best guidebook ... -- Mail on Sunday [London]

These handsome, well-edited books from a Hong Kong-based publisher cover places few other guidebooks go.... The writers are particularly well-chosen....Odyssey fans tend to be adventurous travelers with a literary bent. If you're lucky enough to find an Odyssey Guide to where you're going, grab it. -- National Geographic Traveler, February 2000

Edition details

• Publisher: Passport Books
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0844298093
• ISBN 13: 9780844298092
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 152