China is not so much another country as another world. It did not experience a significant influx of foreigners until the late nineteenth century, something which still colours the experience of today's visitors, for whom a guidebook, with Chinese translations of place names, hotels and restaurants, is an absolute necessity. Updated once again by its team of experienced authors, the Rough Guide is the essential handbook. "By far the best guide, " was the Financial Times' assessment of one of Rough Guides' biggest productions. "Presents China in contemporary context...packed with information, " thought The Times.