Planning a trip to China? Want practical info on what to do, how to get around, and where to avoid? Cheryl Probst lived and worked for two years in Beijing, China's capital city, and had the opportunity to tour much of the country. Returning to the US, Probst self published Do-It-Yourself Beijing and My China, two incredible travelogue guidebooks.
I was impressed with Probst's willingness to extol the virtues of the country while unabashedly detailing the worst of travelling in China. In My China, Probst describes her excursion in and around Guiyang. "Except for the spectacular sights, the 195-kilometer trip... could easily be labelled the mini-bus ride from hell," Probst quips. "What the guidebook said is a four-hour trip lasted eight hours over twisting, pot-holed filled mountain roads. It was a window-rattling, teeth jarring, bone-shattering trip. And it was worth every penny of the $3. I paid."
In the Final Tips section of Do-It-Yourself Beijing, Probst gives some delicate advice on eating out. "Don't go into any kitchens in neighborhood cafes unless you want to start a diet immediately," Probst warns. "Waitresses will give you a grand tour of the kitchen [but] you've lost your appetite because their kitchens are filthy by our standards."
Both books encourage travellers to explore beyond the regular Chinese tourist attractions. Like having a trusted and experienced friend guide you around the country, Probst leads you to the must-see sights and gently escorts you away from the worst.
Probst is selling her books through the mail and has been receiving plenty of positive feedback. "The choices you have made around Beijing appeal to me, non-touristy yet still worth seeing," Sue from Toronto writes. "I would hope [the books] would lure some of the package tour brigade to venture out on their own."
John in the USA writes, "I just wanted you to know that we did go to China last March. It was a great trip and everything went off like clockwork. On the flight over, everyone read the little book (Do-It-Yourself Beijing)... It was a perfect guide and very helpful."
As Probst is an award winning journalist, it's not surprising her books are well written and entertaining reads. By self-publishing, Probst is free to feature the places and events she most enjoyed during her travels and offer smack-you-in-the-nose advice for creating your own memorable adventures. Probst has successfully turned her passion for writing into an exciting business as author and publisher. To order Do-It-Yourself Beijing and My China visit Probst's website. Also at the website are more articles on China and links to other useful websites.
I was impressed with Probst's willingness to extol the virtues of the country while unabashedly detailing the worst of travelling in China. In My China, Probst describes her excursion in and around Guiyang. "Except for the spectacular sights, the 195-kilometer trip... could easily be labelled the mini-bus ride from hell," Probst quips. "What the guidebook said is a four-hour trip lasted eight hours over twisting, pot-holed filled mountain roads. It was a window-rattling, teeth jarring, bone-shattering trip. And it was worth every penny of the $3. I paid."
In the Final Tips section of Do-It-Yourself Beijing, Probst gives some delicate advice on eating out. "Don't go into any kitchens in neighborhood cafes unless you want to start a diet immediately," Probst warns. "Waitresses will give you a grand tour of the kitchen [but] you've lost your appetite because their kitchens are filthy by our standards."
Both books encourage travellers to explore beyond the regular Chinese tourist attractions. Like having a trusted and experienced friend guide you around the country, Probst leads you to the must-see sights and gently escorts you away from the worst.
Probst is selling her books through the mail and has been receiving plenty of positive feedback. "The choices you have made around Beijing appeal to me, non-touristy yet still worth seeing," Sue from Toronto writes. "I would hope [the books] would lure some of the package tour brigade to venture out on their own."
John in the USA writes, "I just wanted you to know that we did go to China last March. It was a great trip and everything went off like clockwork. On the flight over, everyone read the little book (Do-It-Yourself Beijing)... It was a perfect guide and very helpful."
As Probst is an award winning journalist, it's not surprising her books are well written and entertaining reads. By self-publishing, Probst is free to feature the places and events she most enjoyed during her travels and offer smack-you-in-the-nose advice for creating your own memorable adventures. Probst has successfully turned her passion for writing into an exciting business as author and publisher. To order Do-It-Yourself Beijing and My China visit Probst's website. Also at the website are more articles on China and links to other useful websites.
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