Behind the Wall

By Colin Thubron,

Book cover of Behind the Wall: A Journey Through China

Book description

A powerful unforgettable journey through China with one of our greatest travel writers.

'An achievement of great and lasting brilliance' Patrick Leigh Fermor

Having learned Mandarin, and travelling alone by foot, bicycle and train, Colin Thubron set off on a 10,000 mile journey from Beijing to the borders of Burma.…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Behind the Wall as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I must have read dozens of books on China but Colin Thubron’s elegiac account comfortably takes the crown. Behind the Wall captures a unique moment in China’s history when foreigners were first allowed to travel around the country but the nation was yet to be influenced by the outside world. Having learnt to speak Mandarin in advance of travelling, the author probes deep into the rural areas and distant desert outposts of a closed communist empire still recovering from the ravages of the Cultural Revolution.

From Charlie's list on solo adventure.

Want books like Behind the Wall?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Behind the Wall.

Browse books like Behind the Wall

Book cover of Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle
Book cover of Mad White Giant
Book cover of Travels in West Africa

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,176

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in China, the Chinese Cultural Revolution, and Tibet?

China 646 books
Tibet 50 books