BEIJING, April 21, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- On the eve of China's 2008 Summer Olympics Games, the country is fast-tracking its preparations for an expected 10,500 athletes and 2 million visitors; but global headlines cite China's unsafe product exports, regional corruption and an eco-crisis from coal-fired plants and rising CO2 levels. Beijing's pollution in spring 2007 was the worst in seven years.
Can the city clean up quickly for the gathering of the world's best athletes in summer 2008? On a more mundane but vital point -- will Beijing's notorious squat-toilets be replaced in time with spiffed-up public restrooms? More generally, what will foreign visitors find in China this summer? Where will they go? Stay? Dine? How will foreign visitors handle the large crowds? The Mandarin-only signage? And if they venture to Tibet, what about the high-altitude sickness that can accompany visits there?
For nearly a month in 2007, author Linn Weiss visited Tibet, China's classic cities (Beijing, Chengdu, Guilin, Shanghai, Suzhou and Xi'an), and Hong Kong/Macao -- all favored destinations for the 2008 tourist assault. His travel commentator's aim: To observe "China on the eve" of its playing Olympics host -- then compile day-to-day personal surprises and challenges and, most usefully, key tips for travelers venturing there.
What follows in this lively, humorous traveler's memoir is part-insider reportage (the author's daughter recently attended Beijing Film Academy on a scholarship grant, with interesting Chinese-film-industry contacts and insights). It's also regular visitor reportage (the author's small group crisscrossed China several times on an exciting journey involving various "special access" permissions).
"All of China is one massive construction site right now," Amanda Weiss repeatedly warned her author/father as he made final trip preparations. "When you visit, be careful where you step!"
Heading to China, author Linn Weiss wanted to see exactly how the Beijing Olympics were being wrought, and what foreign visitors will likely encounter when they arrive. Through their 5,000 years of history, the Chinese have been noted for their massive feats of engineering. But the full glare of global media scrutiny is less than a half-year away.
Challenges and obstacles remain. Will China be ready at the Summer Games to face the cameras?
The 2008 Olympics are soon approaching. Under the klieg lights of world attention, China is readying for its close-up. The whole world is watching. More than anything, the Olympics spirit extols human dignity in sports competition. Will China take this opportunity to prove that it truly has advanced as far as it claims?
China Readies For Its Close-Up provides page-after-page of provocative daily insights, intriguing travel tips and evocative landscapes for would-be visitors - with more than 100 beautiful color photo images of a vibrant China and its indomitable people now undergoing major transition.
About the Author
Linn Weiss' professional background is in journalism and public relations. An award-winning, senior-level public affairs and public policy adviser with global business experience, he presently works as a communications consultant and executive speechwriter. Besides his career with several top Fortune companies and a leading national professional association, he has authored several published book chapters (on science writing and crisis communications). He lives in the Chicago area (Glenview, Illinois).
CHINA READIES FOR ITS CLOSE-UP
by Linn Weiss
"As the country prepares to face the klieg lights of the
2008 Olympics -- a look at Tibet, China's classic cities,
and Hong Kong/Macao."
Publication Date: March 25, 2008
Trade Paperback; $39.99; 86 pages; 978-1-4363-1522-7
Cloth Hardback; $45.99; 86 pages; 978-1-4363-1523-4
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