Rick last wrote about Asia in 1990 with Asia Through the Back Door. I was hoping that someone might have a guidebook that is similar in recommendations and ratings and overall quality to the Rick Steves set for Europe. Not that Europe is getting old or anything, but we'd like to visit some friends in Asia in the next few years.
Thanks for any advice (which can be emailed or PM'ed to me)
Max,
You might have a look at The Lonely Planet Guidebooks. They're about the most comprehensive, and cover most destinations in the world.
Happy travels!
I second the recommendation of Lonely Planet. Rough Guides are also good. I haven't traveled extensively in Asia, but my impression is that there are back doors galore there. Last fall I spent some time in Guangzhou China--actually about 20 miles outside of town, stayed in the best hotel in the area for just under $20 a night. Of course, I may have been the first non-Chinese ever to stay there!
Unfortunately, sites like tripadvisor aren't very helpful for back door travel to places like China--most of their reviews are by business travelers.
Isn't the Lonely Planet the travel book that shows China and Taiwan in different colors on their map indicating that they are two different countries? Unless they changed it, or China changed their policy, they use to confiscate the book as they only recognize China and Taiwan as one country. They should be the same color.
Interestingly, I just returned from a business trip to China and they didn't even look in my luggage. Not entering or exiting.
The only place LP guidebooks have been confiscated is on the the border between China and Vietnam. Everywhere else, the immigration officials are more laid back.
I spend a lot of time at TripAdvisor (web) in planning my travels and I've found that the hotel reviews are spot on and a lot of the practical recommendations for sights, travel and experiences are excellent and quite a few contributors are locals. I did not have nearly as much success with Lonely Planet (web), which is more for the 20-something backpacking nightlife lover. I'm not knocking it at all, just saying it isn't my style. I tried to use their guide for Australia. It was interesting to read as the style was very casual and humorous. But the info is more encyclopedic - listing everything with no indications of what is more (or less) interesting or worthwhile.
Frommers (web) is a good place to start for general info, but their forums are nearly inactive.
