2008 Olympic Games

AAA Spiral China, 1st Edition, offers an in-depth look at this growing tourist destination

The eyes of the world will be on China this August as top athletes from around the globe gather in Beijing to compete in hopes of bringing home the gold. AAA Spiral China, 1st Edition (AAA; ISBN: 978-1-59508-234-3; 214 pages; $17.95 U.S.), offers an opportunity to truly capture this momentous occasion culturally and historically. According to AAA’s International Travel Forecast, China is ranked first in nations expecting to see an increase in travel from the U.S. this summer, up 13.4 percent to approximately 573,000 American travelers.

With colorful photos and descriptive text, the guide takes readers on a tour of this extraordinary country and allows the flavors of this Eastern culture to be seen, felt and experienced. It organizes the vast land by six regions, providing overviews, maps, day-by-day itineraries, ‘Don’t Miss’ lists of attractions and information on where to stay, shop, eat and be entertained. The mysteries and the beauty are well worth exploring, and this guide allows even the armchair spectator a true taste of China.

Many visitors will begin their travels in Beijing, and the city is adorning itself in preparation. Thirty-one of the 37 competition venues are in Beijing and 12 have been built from scratch. Perhaps the most eye-catching is the 100,000 seat National Stadium known as the “giant birds’ nest” on account of its mesh of interlocking steel bands. Officials striving to show the nation’s best face selected the slogan “One World, One Dream” for the Games, reflecting the Olympic spirit, the Chinese hope and an environment in which people live in harmony and cooperation.

Also, with its scores of historic sites and cultural attractions, Beijing is where visitors can best see China portrayed in novels and movies - mighty emperors, grand palaces and more. Topping the Spiral Guide’s ‘Don’t Miss’ list in Beijing are The Forbidden City, off-limits to commoners for more than 500 years, and Tiananmen Square, where peace has replaced revolution. This section also covers the areas north of the city, including the wonder of The Great Wall of China and the Summer Palace, the former resort of royalty.

Travelers interested in Shanghai and eastern China will find insider tips on enjoying the trendy French Concession area, the People’s Square and the sights along the Juangpu River, as well as the ‘water towns’ to the east. Other sections are devoted to Hong Kong and the South, the Southwest, Sichuan and Tibetan China, and the Silk Road.

First time travelers will find information about required documentation, climate and currencies, plus many details about daily life listed in AAA Spiral China. The guide is available at many local AAA offices, online at AAA.com/BarnesAndNoble and at better bookstores.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com.

Source: AAA