Traveling to China can be a daunting yet extremely fulfilling experience. From sorting visas to trying a hand at navigating the complicated transportation systems, China is a challenge that even the most experienced traveler will find complex. Regardless of your travel experience, a travel guidebook is a necessity. With dozens of books on the market, it is important to know what type of traveler you are in order to choose the perfect guidebook.

"Rough Guides: China"
"Rough Guides: China" is a popular guidebook for independent travelers to China. The guidebook has an extensive transportation section loaded with valuable information. Additionally, the reviews of restaurants, nightlife and lodging is candid and focused on value regardless of budget. "Rough Guides: China" is the perfect guidebook for independent, adventure-seeking travelers to China.

"Lonely Planet: China"
"Lonely Planet: China" is also geared towards the independent backpacker, but largely attracts a younger clientele. The guidebook offers an extensive list of nightlife and food options as well as hostel listings. Furthermore, a unique feature of "Lonely Planet: China" is a collection of suggested itineraries which are a tremendous help in the planning stages of a trip. Also, this guidebook is loaded with nightlife recommendations of popular expat and backpacker hangouts. "Lonely Planet: China" is the guidebook of choice for the younger, budget-conscious backpacker.

"Frommer's China"
Frommer's is one of the most trusted series of guides in the travel industry. Not necessarily targeting the budget traveler, "Frommer's China" features recommendations for sights, hotels, restaurants and nightlife. It also features detailed maps with both Chinese characters and English spelling. Additionally, there is an extensive language chapter that helps break down confusing Mandarin phrases. "Frommer's China" is the perfect guidebook for any traveler with a mid- to upper-range budget.

"DK Eyewitness Guide: China"
"DK Eyewitness Guide: China" gives the traveler a good overall sense of what there is to see and do in China. This guidebook's highlight is the detailed color photos and graphics on each page. In fact, there are even 3D cut-outs of some of the most famous sights like the Forbidden Palace. "DK Eyewitness Guide: China" is perfect for travelers with a mid-range budget who want an extensive view of the sights before they get there.

"Berlitz Pocket Guide: China"
"Berlitz Pocket Guide: China" is a color-coded guidebook with all of the standard recommendations for sights, restaurants, bars and hotels, but the unique feature of this guidebook is its convenient size. Small enough to carry around with you, it is also packed with interesting facts and foldout maps. This guidebook is great for the light packer.