The aging wooden slophouse at this address has been converted into the Chairman Mao Badge Museum and Research Facility . The selection of destinations is broad, with alternatives to the beaten track that are generally doable for visitors of all ages and levels of derring-do. Brown's fondness for climbing Chinese mountains is a bit, er, over the top. Once at the top, the weary traveler can expect to find only crude accommodations like creaky monasteries and to dine on fare no hardier than boiled eggs and broth. While bold on the hills, Brown is surprisingly timid about restaurants, or at least on recommendations.
Reviews are limited to hotels, chains and spots with English-language menus.
Any trip to China, particularly one with the personal touches Brown advocates, should include a thorough forage into its fabulous cuisine. A bad sign. While language can be a barrier, incorporating some food vocabulary into the book's Chinese language appendage would ease the way for visitors who don't need a daily dose of Western fast food. While Brown's account of his travels is what makes this book special, his prose is often workman-like and repetitive. The cup includes a cover to keep the brew hot and an upturned saucer for lifting.