Set against the backdrop of 19th-century China, the story follows William Mesny, who arrived in Shanghai at 18 and quickly became immersed in a world of foreign intrigue and civil conflict. His journey takes him from smuggler and prisoner of the Taiping rebels to a gun-runner and military instructor. After five years of intense combat in Guizhou, Mesny ascends to the rank of general, leveraging his status to explore China, document his experiences, collect plants, and offer counsel to officials.
Celebrates the sheer energy of these two former European colonies, sitting just 60km apart on the south China coast. This book includes the lowdown on the incredible shopping opportunities and cutting-edge architecture of Hong Kong's downtown, its parks and harbourside cityscapes, all existing alongside more traditional temples and street markets.
This is your essential guide to Iceland's captivating capital, covering all the key places, restaurants, shops, cafés and bars you simply must visit, not to mention the jaw-dropping sights and scenery within reach of the city. Slim, stylish and utterly pocketable, it comes with a full-colour pull-out map to help you find your way around - the only map of its kind to be marked with every single recommendation from the guide
The Rough Guide to Iceland is your complete handbook to uncovering the delights of Europe's largest glacier. From Reykjavik's nightlife to the dramatic Western Fjords and table-top mountains to the rich birdlife of Lake Myvatn, the full-colour introduction highlights all the 'things-not-to-miss'. For every town and village there are insider reviews of the all best places to stay, eat and drink, both on and off the beaten track, with the new 'Author's Pick' feature highlighting the very best options. There is plenty of practical advice for a host of outdoor activities, from skiing on the Vatnajokull glacier to whale-watching and viewing the Northern Lights. The guide also looks at Iceland''s rich Viking history and its extraordinary geology and wildlife.The Rough Guide to Iceland is like having a local friend plan your trip!
This book explores for the first time this generation of the Greene family in
colourful detail - their relationships and shared history, and their lives -
as explorers, writers, doctors, spies, politicians and much more.
"DK Eyewitness Top 10 Iceland" will lead you straight to the best attractions this breathtaking country has on offer. Whether you are looking for spa getaways, stunning glaciers and geysers, the bewitching Northern Lights or the vibrancy of Rekyavik, this guide is the perfect pocket-sized companion. Rely on dozens of Top 10 lists - from the Top 10 nightlife hotspots to the Top 10 volcanoes, waterfalls and hiking trails, and to save you time and money, there is even a list of budget tips and the Top 10 things to avoid. "DK Eyewitness Top 10 Iceland" is packed with colour illustrations and photographs, providing the insider knowledge that every visitor needs on a trip to this sensational country. Explore every corner effortlessly using the Free pull-out map, plus many smaller maps included within the guide. Your guide to the Top 10 best of everything in Iceland.
The Rough Guide to Chinacovers of all of mainland China and Tibet, as well as the lesser known administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. The Rough Guide provides all the information you need, whether you want to explore the sophisticated nightlife of Beijing and Shanghai, chill out in the mellow travellers' havens of Dali and Yangshuo, or roam the streets of wonderfully historical towns such as Lijiang. Up-to-date descriptions provide you with the low-down on famous sights such as Beijing's Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army outside Xi'an, limestone peaks around Guilin and the cruise through the mighty Three Gorges along the Yangzi. There's also full practical information on where to drink, sleep, party and eat - from streetside snack stalls to luxurious Beijing Duck restaurants. Detailed maps and comprehensive practical information help you get under the skin of China, whilst the guide's stunning photography and a full-colour introduction make this your ultimate travelling companion. Make the most of your time on earth(tm) with The Rough Guide to China.
Introduction Hong Kong is a beguiling place to visit: a land whose aggressive capitalist instinct is tempered by an oriental concern with order and harmony. Indeed, whatever you've heard about it, the most important thing to remember is that, despite 150 years of British colonial rule and the modern city's cosmopolitan veneer, Hong Kong is, and always has been, Chinese. The glittering skyline imitates others throughout the world; the largest department stores are Japanese-owned; you can take English high tea to the accompaniment of a string quartet; there's cricket and horse-racing, pubs and cocktail lounges. But for most of the Chinese locals - 98 percent of a population of almost seven million - life still follows a pattern that many mainland Chinese would recognize as their own: hard work and cramped housing; food bought from teeming markets and street stalls; and a polytheistic religion celebrated in the home, in smoky temples, and during exuberant festivals. Recent years, however, have been far from easy for Hong Kong. The enormous political upheaval that accompanied the handing back of the territory to China in 1997 was followed almost immediately by the Asian economic crisis, during which stockmarket and property markets collapsed and unemployment reached its highest levels for 25 years. And though fears that the Chinese government would interfere in the running of Hong Kong after the British left have proved to be generally unfounded, they have been replaced by concerns that the territory's own leadership lacks the experience necessary to run such a sophisticated and fast-changing society, with local officials trying to second-guess the wishes of Beijing. Even so, visitors to Hong Kong will find that little has changed - superficially at least - since the handover. Many practical matters, such as entry requirements, have remained unaffected, and the city has lost none of its interest: the architecture is an engaging mix of styles, from the stunning towers of Central to ramshackle town housing and centuries-old Chinese temples; the markets and streetlife are compelling; while the shopping - if no longer the bargain it once was - is eclectic, from open-air stalls to hi-tech malls. Hong Kong is also one of the best places in the world to eat Chinese food (and a good many other cuisines besides), while the territory's Western influence has left in a plentiful selection of bars and nightspots. If there's a downside, it's that commercialism and consumption tend to dominate life. Cultural matters have been less well catered for, though a superb Cultural Centre, several new or improved museums, and an increasing awareness of the arts - both Chinese and Western - are beginning to change that. Sixty kilometres west across the Pearl River estuary, Macau (due to be returned to China in December 1999) makes Hong Kong look like the gaudy arriviste colony it is. In 1557, almost three hundred years before the British arrived in southern China, the Portuguese set up base here, and although Hong Kong and its harbour later surpassed the older enclave in terms of trading importance, Macau absorbed its Portuguese associations and culture in a way that Hong Kong never did with Britain. Smaller and more immediately attractive than its neighbour, Macau remains a pleasant contrast to the madness across the water in Hong Kong. It's one of Asia's most enjoyable spots for a short visit, its Chinese life tempered by an almost Mediterranean influence, manifest in the ageing Catholic churches, hilltop fortresses and a grand seafront promenade. Of course, like Hong Kong, Macau is Chinese - 95 percent of its population speak Cantonese. All the temples and festivals of southern China are reproduced here, but few come to Macau to pursue them, believing - perhaps rightly - that such things are done bigger and better in Hong Kong. Instead, Macau offers alternative attractions. Eating here is one of the highlights of any trip to the region - even on a short visit to Hong Kong it's worth taking the jetfoil over for a meal: Macanese food is an exciting combination of Portuguese colonial cooking, with dishes and ingredients taken from Portugal itself, Goa, Brazil, Africa and China, washed down with cheap, imported Portuguese wine, port and brandy. And with gambling illegal in Hong Kong, except for betting on horse-races, the Hong Kong Chinese look to Macau's various casinos to satisfy their almost obsessive desire to dice with fortune.
INTRODUCTION Australia is massive, and very sparsely peopled: in size it rivals the USA, yet its population is just over eighteen million - little more than that of the Netherlands. This is an ancient land, and often looks it: in places, it's the most eroded, denuded and driest of continents, with much of central and western Australia - the bulk of the country - overwhelmingly arid and flat. In contrast, its cities - most of which were founded as recently as the mid-nineteenth century - express a youthful energy. The most memorable scenery is in the Outback, the vast desert in the interior of the country west of the Great Dividing Range. Here, vivid blue skies, cinnamon-red earth, deserted gorges and other striking geological features as well as bizarre wildlife comprise a unique ecology - one that has played host to the oldest surviving human culture for at least fifty thousand years. The harshness of the interior has forced modern Australia to become a coastal country. Most of the population lives within 20km of the ocean, occupying a suburban, southeastern arc extending from southern Queensland to Adelaide. These urban Australians celebrate the typical New World values of material self-improvement through hard work and hard play, with an easy-going vitality that visitors, especially Europeans, often find refreshingly hedonistic. A sunny climate also contributes to this exuberance, with an outdoor life in which a thriving beach culture and the congenial backyard "barbie" are central. While visitors might eventually find this Home and Away lifestyle rather prosaic, there are opportunities - particularly in the Northern Territory - to gain some experience of Australia's indigenous peoples and their culture, through visiting ancient art sites, taking tours and, less easily, making personal contact. Many Aboriginal people - especially in central Australia - have managed to maintain their traditional way of life (albeit with some modern accoutrements), speaking their own languages and living according to their law (the tjukurpa). Conversely, most Aboriginal people you'll come across in country towns and cities are victims of what is scathingly referred to as "welfare colonialism" - a disempowering system in which, supported by dole cheques and other subsidies, they often fall prey to a destructive cycle of poverty, ill-health and alcoholism. There's still a long way to go before black and white people in Australia can exist on genuinely equal terms.
Featuring a blend of must-see attractions and hidden gems, this guidebook is tailored for independent travelers exploring Iceland. It provides essential planning tips and practical advice for on-the-ground adventures, ensuring a comprehensive travel experience. Additionally, the book emphasizes environmental responsibility through its sustainable printing practices.
