We in the book trade owe a lot to the Chinese. Not only did their ancient ancestors invent the process of printing, they also invented paper so that they would have something to print on. Indeed, quite aside from books, China has one of the richest and most powerful histories of any world nation. Somewhat surprisingly, therefore, many people still view this compelling country as the only remaining cloth in the iron curtain. However, for over two decades, China has opened its borders up to visitors and, for years, tourists and locals have been munching Big Macs on Tiananmen Square.
You won’t be surprised, I’m sure, to read that the charms of China do not lie in fast food, however. China’s landscapes and wildlife are a fair match for its fantastic history, culture and people. Consequently, there is a growing demand for nature guides to the area, the latest of which, Birding South-East China, reveals in its pages an untapped paradise for birders. Combining ample maps, photographs and information on species and travel to please even the most intrepid and inquisitive of twitchers, this delightful book portrays a diverse, rich avifauna in a diverse, rich corner of our natural world. Names of towns are even written in Mandarin to aid communication (via the international language of pointing) with bus and taxi drivers.
There will never be a better time to visit China than now. Tourism and westernization are still relatively in their infanthood whilst increases in social freedoms and economic stability are putting China back on the map – yet another of their inventions.