Books & Films About China

We recommend watching a film or two before you travel to set the scene, and taking a book to read whilst you travel, to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of China.

Here is a list of books and films which we have found both informative and entertaining.

Books
• China: People Place Culture History by Peter Neville
• Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
• China Road: One Man's Journey into the Heart of Modern China by Rob Grifford
• The Man Who Loved China: the Fantastic Story and the Eccentric Scientists who unlocked the mystery of the Middle Kingdom by Simon Winchester
• River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze by Peter Hessler (A must if you are cruising on the Yangtze)
• Oracle Bones: A Journey Between China's Past and Present by Peter Hessler
• Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang
• The Search for Modern China by Jonathan Spence
• A Loyal Character Dancer by Qiu Xiaolong
• Shanghai: The Rise and Fall of a Decadent City by Stella Dong
• A Season in Red by Kirsty Needham
• The Travels of Marco Polo by Marco Polo (edited by Manuel Komroff)
• Falling Leaves: The True Story of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah
• Red Dust by Ma Jian

Films
• Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon by Ang Lee (2000)
• In the Mood for Love by Wong Kar Wai (2000)
• Raise the Red Lantern by Zhang Yimou (1991)
• Infernal Affairs by Lau Wai-keung (2002)
• Curse of the Golden Flower by Zhang Yimou (2006)
• Farewell my Concubine by Chen Kaige (1993)
• Eat Drink Man Women by Ang Lee (1994)
• Red Sorghum by Zhang Yimou (1987)
• Story of Qiu Ju by Zhang Yimou (1992)
• Last Train Home by Fan Lixin (2009)
• The Last Emperor by Bernardo Bertolucci (1987)

TV
• Wild China (BBC 2008)
• China: Triumph & Turmoil (Channel 4 2012)
• Art of China (BBC 2014)
• Exploring China: A Culinary Adventure (BBC 2014)