Reviews for Zagat Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing Restaurants and Hotels

The average rating for Zagat Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing Restaurants and Hotels based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2013-03-07 00:00:00 LARRY NAVARRE Two days with this book in Kyoto was clearly, CLEARLY not enough. Especially after you are "temple-ed" out after one day, as those of you who have been to Kyoto very well know. It is a treasure-trove of traditional shops that make everything from artisan paper and paints, noodles, soy sauce, baskets, buckets, combs, tea, and beautiful Japanese textiles. It also includes guides to a few of the ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) and eateries (noodle shops, ramen shops, soba shops - most have a speciality that they focus on) There was even a traditional tofu shop, but I just didn't' have time to find it! I absolutely loved this book. It was as much fun reading about the different shops, restaurants, and inns as it was planning and finding them in Kyoto. It became a treasure hunt and a great way to really see the city as it's very walkable. It's what I want every travel guide book to be, but usually never is. Side note: One of the places, I managed to track down and visit was the paint shop, Saiun-Do (Painted Clouds) owned by Fujimoto family (page 69-70 in the book). Tsukio Fujimoto was the original shop's founder in the 1800's. I had the very wonderful privilege of meeting his great grandson, who helped me find the brushes and lush colored paints I wanted to purchase (at very reasonable, affordable prices for paints that are custom mixed by their family's secret formulas and high quality brushes made the traditional way). For everyone who visits, they have a guest book that he kindly insisted me to sign as an artist even though I laughingly assured him I was an amateur hobbyist at best. This guest book includes artists from past decades and from all over the world, famous or enthusiast alike. It is tiny, literally one room with a low ceiling and raised tatami mat platforms inside. My poor brother and I walked up and down the side street it is located on several times before we found it.

Review # 2 was written on 2013-12-26 00:00:00 Daniel Alderman A wonderful travel guide, in the same vein as 'A Time of Gifts', but more about the people. It's a unique story of shinise, shops which have been carried on for at least three generations and one hundred years, normal in a culture rife with specialization. I can't wait to experience a glimpse of the culture, whether it be the youdofu or sweet mochi. When you get to the story of one of the last traditional wooden bucket makers in Kyoto, you will be saddened this is a place you will never be able to visit- he had no apprentices, and him, and his shop, now exist only in the past.