Lonely Planet

Last week I was studying the Lonely Planet book that E's friend had with him. I fell asleep with the book in my hands three times and had multiple dreams about travel routes. Pathetic, huh? I don't have my own LP because the last copyright was in 2005 and I decided to exchange it for a Shanghai LP. LP just came out with a 2007 edition, so I've been going to nearby bookstores and international bookstores looking for the new book. I can't find it! I read in book reviews that the book wasn't being imported to China because the book doesn't include travel information about Taiwan (and doesn't include it on the map). I didn't really believe that - afterall, this is China, the people here want to sell everything and anything! Amazon has it for $21.99, but it takes up to 6-10 weeks to ship internationally.

I guess my shopping efforts might be futile. I found this on the LP website:

"Travellers entering China by road or rail across the southeastern border, particularly the Vietnamese frontier, report that Lonely Planet China guidebooks have been confiscated by border officials. This is due to sensitivity regarding maps of China that do not include Taiwan. Travellers should consider putting a cover on the book to make it less recognisable and just to be safe, copy down any crucial details you might need while in the country."

So are bookstores not allowed to import the book? FYI - Hong Kong, Tibet and Macau are all in LP. It's so silly. Just because it's not on the map it isn't making a political statement! I already have to take an overpriced international flight to Taiwan (not to mention a mandatory indirect flight). For the most part, travelers and backpackers are the last people that care about political issues between Taiwan and China!

On a side note, I booked my flight to Taiwan and Macau today. I'm going at the end of the month to visit my college friend and relatives I haven't seen in 15+ years. On my way back to Shanghai I'm going to check out Macau for one day. Did you know that Macau grossed more gambling revenue than Vegas last year?

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