Lonely Planet Book Illegal in China

Despite the various segues on this thread, evren's dilemma probably left them a bit shaken immediately after the experience ... and even now. What puzzles me is that they didn't come across this risk/warning in their pre-travel preparation. Most LPs I know:
- wouldn't flash their LP Guidebook on arrival at China Immigration
- would record essential information like accommodation telephone numbers separately, maybe in a hand-held device.

My China maps are now detachable to avoid such encounters. I hope evren keeps scanning Thorn Tree prior to future travels to avoid such embarrassment/difficulty.

I have bought several chapters of LP books. The first time, I printed off very page before slapping myself. I could have just printed the pages I needed. Now I just keep them on my device. And its easy to buy them on the road if you find you need another one.
The maps in the books often are wrong so never used them after finding this out years again Kunming.

Despite the various segues on this thread, evren's dilemma probably left them a bit shaken immediately after the experience ... and even now. What puzzles me is that they didn't come across this risk/warning in their pre-travel preparation. Most LPs I know:
- wouldn't flash their LP Guidebook on arrival at China Immigration
- would record essential information like accommodation telephone numbers separately, maybe in a hand-held device.

My China maps are now detachable to avoid such encounters. I hope evren keeps scanning Thorn Tree prior to future travels to avoid such embarrassment/difficulty.

There was a warning in 2007 about Lonely Planet book having issues in China. I think it's quite reasonable to go into China thinking that you won't have a problem with such a wide circulating and popular book such as Lonely Planet. Even the Australian embassy in Beijing, which I contacted about it, were surprised. I also could not see a RECENT (within the year) thorn three thread about Lonely Planet being illegal in China. Furthermore, I did record all essential information on a seperate piece of paper. I considered hotel details, Australian embassy details, travel insurance details, family/friends in Australia details and emergency numbers as essential contact details. I don't consider the phone number of a tour company as "essential information", especially in today's email/messaging world. I'm glad you haven't had such problems in China Chris Williams, and I would wonder if you'd have such an abrasive attitude when just entering a communist country for the first time and being questioned by a bunch of Immigration staff accusing you of doing something illegal.

... when just entering a communist country for the first time and being questioned by a bunch of Immigration staff accusing you of doing something illegal.

I can understand OP’s stressful situation. Actually, it doesn’t even have to be a communist country. Facing any aggressive uniformed personnel who might exercise or abuse their authority over your freedom can be very intimidating.

I've reviewed my contribution and am at a loss to see it as 'abrasive attitude' - sorry if you were offended.

For LPs facing a similar dilemma, I doubt that an Australian embassy in Changsha could be of assistance.

Next, previous comments highlight why this behaviour of officials ought to be expected, as I recently encountered coming out of Tibet. We can all guess why a particular Chinese immigration official might taks annoyance at an LP guidebook traveller. Across China I expect there are quite a few officious officials. My view is not to antagonise them, never let them within a country mile of my guidebook.

Whilst its not official policy, I reckon it fits neatly into 'Party practice' - how to endear oneself to the hierarchy, and advance one's career. Merely an hypothesis, of course!

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