RANDOM HOUSE PUBLICIST REBECCA SIMPSON WRITES ABOUT HER RECENT ADVENTURES IN CHINA.

Escaping into a bookstore has always been a favorite pastime of mine — losing myself amongst the shelves, delving into numerous books and pawing over the pages — but I’ve never felt it more acutely the enjoyment, calm, peace and quiet that this delivered whilst I was in China. The perfect haven in which to escape the bustling streets, the numerous stares, the smoke, pollution, loud noises and the heat. Absolute heaven!

While in Beijing and Shanghai I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the foreign language bookstores, taking the time to drift off into another world. But the antique market in Beijing was a much more interesting books destination. Here books were spread across the pavement.

Also known as the Dirt market or Sunday market (as it is only open on weekends), Panjiayuan market is the place to shop for arts, crafts and antiques.  While it is hard to find books in English the enjoyment comes from just inspecting, sifting and rummaging through all the treasures.

Another favorite books destination we stumbled across was in Yangshou. Situated in the Guangxi provence, Yangshou’s beautiful karst landscape is otherworldly. The town is nestled in alongside the Li River and is surrounded by towering, shapely limestone peaks giving the area a natural varied beauty. The best way to see the countryside is by bicycle, costing around 10 -20 yuan for the day (only NZ$2-$4). Or else you can explore the river and lush, green landscapes by bamboo raft, escaping the scorching heat by floating your way down the river and even taking a quick dip.
 
You can escape all the traffic and cars by hitting West St, the walking street but do not think that it will be calm, there are hawkers and people everywhere. In the same area, situated on Chengzhong Lu, sits Café Too & hostel,(left) a friendly tiny café with fresh coffee, free internet and an impressive array of foreign language books available (right). Owned and run by Phillip a pleasant man with excellent English you can sell or swap your existing books trading in two books for one or else trade in one to get another at half price. Phillip has collated an impressive collection in this otherwise tiny town which is desolate of books. 

You can escape all the traffic and cars by hitting West St, the walking street but do not think that it will be calm, there are hawkers and people everywhere. In the same area, situated on Chengzhong Lu, sits Café Too & hostel,(left) a friendly tiny café with fresh coffee, free internet and an impressive array of foreign language books available (right). Owned and run by Phillip a pleasant man with excellent English you can sell or swap your existing books trading in two books for one or else trade in one to get another at half price. Phillip has collated an impressive collection in this otherwise tiny town which is desolate of books.
 
Known as ‘the rooftop of the world’ Tibet has always captured those curious tourists seeking a spiritual journey and Lhasa is the traditional and spiritual centre of the Tibetan world. We visited many Buddhist temples, including the much famed Potala Palace(former seat of the Tibetan government and the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas) and the Jokhang temple.

One of the most fascinating spots was the Sera Monestary about 5km north of Lhasa. Founded in 1419 it was one of Lhasa’s two great Gelugpa monasteries. There are still monks in residence and in the afternoons you can watch the monks debating spiritual topics. Debating (in Tibetan) takes place from 3:30 to 5:30pm in a garden in the centre of the monastery. Also of huge interest were the hand made scriptures lining the walls of the library and rooms of the lamas. While we were there we saw them printing off old woodblocks. Smothering the blocks with ink and placing the rice paper on top, rolling over the top and then leaving them to dry. These scriptures last for many years and share teachings, ideologies, and stories.

There are plenty of book spots to enjoy but I have highlighted for you a few of the most memorable. China is such a vast country and it was a fascinating trip.