Product Description

A practical and accessible guide to an ancient but rapidly changing culture

Perfect for business and armchair travelers alike, China A to Z explains the customs, culture, and etiquette essential for any trip or for anyone wanting to understand this complex country. In one hundred brief, reader-friendly chapters, alphabetized by subject, China A to Z introduces a general audience to contemporary Chinese society, as well as its venerable history. Discover:
• Why Chinese names are written in reverse order
• What to bring when visiting a Chinese household
• What the current relationship is between Japan and China
• Why you should wrap gifts in red or pink paper, and never send white flowers

With the 2008 Summer Olympics being held in Beijing, thousands of Chinese adoptions occurring each year, and China becoming the fourth most popular international destination, the need for information about this complex country is greater than ever.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #59328 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-25
• Released on: 2007-09-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

About the Author
MAY-LEE CHAI is the author of five books, including The Girl from Purple Mountain (coauthored with her father, Winberg Chai). She has a master’s degree from Yale University in East Asian studies and has studied and worked in China.
WINBERG CHAI was born in Shanghai. He received his Ph.D. from New York University and is the author of more than twenty books on China. When not teaching in the United States, he lectures frequently in China.

Customer Reviews

A great quick & dirty intro to China
This book is a series of very short essays (1-3 pages) on all things Chinese. It was a wonderful introduction for us as we prepared for a short trip to Beijing. It touches on history, popular culture, social customs, even who are the popular movie stars. It is a quick and easy read, and I recommend it particularly for someone who wants to have a general context for further investigation on China - read this first!

China 101: A Complete Cultural Introduction for Travelers, Arm-Chair Travelers, or Beginning Sinologists
China is changing fast. Opening up to the West, morphing into an economic power house; ever so many foreigners continue journeying to this exotic and extraordinary destination rich in history, unique cultures, and remarkable sites. Multitudes of guidebooks published about the country today emphasize logistical details, facts, and figures, giving little heed to the nitty-gritty of culture and customs ever-so-important in a traditional society.

Fortunately, May-Lee & Winberg Chai have produced a book acquainting readers with the intricate details of culture, customs, and etiquette that most travel books scantily touch. Listings from A to Z introduce readers to everything about China from current customs, contemporary and pop culture, to geography that outsiders are most likely unfamiliar with. Instructions on how to address people, the meaning of different colors used by the Chinese, attitudes toward bargaining, how to respectfully visit a Chinese home, how to avoid eating unbearable critters, proper chopstick etiquette, and the Chinese concept of "face" are all among the valued wisdom to be found in this book.

Though some of the topics' practicalities and significance are questionable: The "Gay & Lesbian Culture" chapter is double the size of "The Great Wall" section. Not to mention any section that recounts the country's complex history falls short- the "History" timeline is only incidents where the Chinese have been victims in the past and I unfortunately wasn`t able to locate the whole history of the communist party which includes murdering over 30 million people, though the character of Chiang Kai-shek is repeatedly scorned and the entire account of the Civil War is often prevaricated altogether.

Nevertheless, the overall aim of the book- to provide insightful, crucial knowledge for foreigners is accomplished quite effectively. The cultural "Do's & Don'ts" alone make this the perfect companion to any China travel guide.