Grab these books and dive into the complicated history and rich cultural world of China.
Last updated: September 2, 2025
Traveling to China through Reading
China. The land of the famous Chinese Wall and the country with one of the lowest manufacturing costs that supplies the entire world with the cheapest, yes, but not the best quality (sorry, but true) products. China is also a place that gifted our generation with TikTok and some of the most powerful nontraditional medicine practices.
Ancient Chinese medicine and acupuncture are still highly regarded and used. The truth is, where modern medicine can’t find the underlying cause of a certain health issue, the centuries-old Chinese practices present the simplest, yet most effective solution.
The introduction to the Chinese unconventional medicine and herbal treatments is offered in one of the books that inspired me – and I’m sure will do the same to you – to read more books about Asia and ultimately start dreaming of traveling to China.
Another book that reshaped my view of China got into my hands by accident. Roshan picked it up at a post office in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. The book about the rarely discussed past of China, left by its previous owner, was waiting for a new reader.
I haven’t finished compiling this list of fiction books set in China, nonfiction works about Chinese culture, medicine, and traditions, stories about people and natural and man-made wonders of the People’s Republic of China. This reading collection grows steadily, one book at a time. I’ll keep adding more books to the list when I come across the ones worth-mentioning here.
As for now, these are the books that will show you China like you’ve never known it before and – I have no doubt about it – will inspire you to travel to the fourth largest country in the world.
BOOKS TO READ BEFORE TRAVELING TO CHINA
1. Unbound
A fiction book set in 16-century China by John Shors
When every prominent family binds their daughters’ feet with bandages at a young age, an ancient Chinese custom that restricted the growth for the sake of creating smaller, “lotus-shaped” feet, Meng is spared from such a cruel and painful tradition by her father. The man would rather lose people’s respect than endure the agony of his child.
Unbound, the girl grows up healthier and happier, but without any chances of marrying into an eminent family. Not that it bothers Meng who finds her happiness with her now husband Fan. A talented Chinese craftsman, Fan volunteers to work at the Great Wall for a year alongside Chinese defenders fighting Mongol invasion.
When the husband doesn’t come back, Meng resolves to see Fan. She disguises herself as a man and begins a perilous journey.
The fates of Meng and Fan intertwine with a Mongol boy captured as a slave, an enemy horseman seeking redemption, a powerful Chinese general jealous of Fan and Meng’s love, and a concubine seeking justice.
The book Unbound depicts 16th-century China with its unyielding traditions and customs that shaped a hierarchical social structure and reduced people at the bottom of the hierarchy to commodities.
2. The Zone
A historical fiction book set in Nanjing, China, by Jada Tan Rufo
The Zone is a small part of the Chinese city of Nanking (now Nanjing) established by 22 westerners who, contrary to their governments’ orders, remained in the city after the Japanese attack in 1937.
Although Japanese war authorities have never officially agreed or otherwise acknowledged it, the International Safety Zone is considered a safe place. But “safe” is a huge overstatement. Rape, massacre, and hatred against Chinese, disguised by the search of Chinese soldiers, exists even in the Zone.
The author unveils the events of one of the most horrendous massacres during World War II through the eyes of two Chinese families. Xue and Ling are best friends. Yet the only thing that ties the girls is the school they attended before the Japanese attack. Outside of it, their families couldn’t be more different.
But the war doesn’t care about any social or personal norms and standards. It unites, hurts, and kills…
The Zone is a tribute to all the victims and survivors of the bloody Japanese war campaign in the Chinese city of Nanjing.
3. Chinese Herbal Secrets
The key to total health by Stefan Chmelik
I picked up the book Chinese Herbal Secrets to learn about herbal remedies and teas infused with plants and healing flowers. The book indeed is a treasure box loaded with ancient recipes used throughout China. But before taking you to a “herbal kitchen”, the author, a leading healthcare expert, introduces you to the concept of well-being according to traditional Chinese medicine.
You may not be able to become a licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioner just yet. But you’ll be able to link your fatigue or digestive problems with the areas of your body or lifestyle that need to be taken care of after perusing just the first few chapters.
As you continue reading and re-reading the book, even if you don’t have a chance to travel to China yet, I guarantee, you will want to visit a Chinese herbal store or Chinatown in your own city.
READ MORE: How to Ikigai: Japanese Secret to Well-Being
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