Product Description

China has more varied habitats for wildlife than anywhere else on the planet: rivers carve immense gorges through the world's loftiest mountain peaks; vast deserts range from searing heat to mind-numbing cold; wild horses gallop across grass steppe land; shallow seas teem with life; steaming jungles harbour colourful birds and temperate forests shelter giant pandas and golden snub-nosed monkeys. But above all, China is a place of 1.3 billion people, most of whom still live in the countryside. By the improbable cone-shaped hills of Southern China, afloat in a sea of glistening rice paddies, streams conceal dwarf alligators and giant salamanders and trained cormorants catch fish for their masters.In the Himalayas where the temperature can drop nearly 30 degrees C in a day, Mongolian nomads roam on horseback along the ancient Silk Road, Kazakh herders hunt with Golden Eagles in the snow, and all share their land with wild yak, giant herds of Chiru antelope, brown bears and snow leopards. Vast river estuaries, migrating birds, coral reefs and busy cities jostle for attention along China's 10,000 km-long eastern seaboard. This cradle of Chinese civilization has developed into the country's most densely-populated and economically dynamic area, while remaining a Mecca for wildlife. To survive, this wildlife must co-exist with over 600 million people in a rapidly-changing environment. "Wild China" is a stunning visual feast - exploring the length and breadth of one of the world's most spectacular and mysterious countries.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24856 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-08
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

About the Author
PHIL CHAPMAN, a biogeographer and zoologist, was the series producer of Wild China and has travelled widely in China. His other BBC series include Dragons Alive and Chimp Family Fortunes, along with many Natural World and Wildlife on One programmes. GAVIN MAXWELL was a producer on Wild China and has worked on many BBC series including Wildlife Specials, Nile, Predators, Animals - The Inside Story and Venom ER.

Customer Reviews

Magnificent Rural China
The book provides detailed information of the history, the culture, the wildlife, and the topography of China, with six chapters applicable to the wonderful BBC Wild China DVD. The maps are particularly good. There are many quality photographs, although a few of the best in the DVD have not been included. This book is worth purchasing, ideally with the DVD. The wealth of information presented by the Wild China team is excellent. After seeing the DVD, the book was a must buy. I'm delighted with it. I have a better insight and respect for this most ancient culture. The BBC team had unprecedented access to the rural areas. Previously so enigmatic, China is a land of extraordinary beauty with its magnificent landscapes, rich variety of wildlife, and ingenious ethnic groups.

wild china
This an excellent book but is of necessity a poor reflection of the tv series.The book follows the tv series closely dividing China into 6 diverse regions.The text is outstanding while the pictures are satis factory.There is avery good gazettear at the back which deals with places of inttrest and culturaldifferences and wildlife The maps are very good.

Beautiful
Beautiful in it's self this was really useful fo pulling out the 'must see' scenic bits of China when planning an extended trip. The most useful guide book I found (and the only one of the 3 I purchased that I'll be lugging with me to China) was Frommer's China (Frommers Complete) published in April 2008.