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Looking for great books about China? You’re not alone—and if you’ve already poked around online, you’ve probably noticed the same pattern I have: most reading lists lean heavily into dry non-fiction, thick with geopolitics, history, and economics. Valuable? Absolutely. But they often miss the nuance, texture, and human stories that make China such a compelling country to read about—and to visit.
All photos featured on this blog are from my personal travel experiences.
I was fortunate to explore China firsthand during a trip in 2015. In total, I’ve visited over 50 countries, and I can say without a doubt that I experienced the most culture shock in China. From weaving through neon-lit night markets where skewered scorpions sizzled next to steaming bao buns, to hiking along unrestored sections of the Great Wall far from the crowds, I saw just how layered and contrasting this country really is. I still remember the quiet tension in Tiananmen Square—where even casual conversations felt… monitored. That visit gave me a deeper appreciation for China’s vastness: not just in size, but in stories.
China’s 20th century alone reads like a historical epic—wars, revolutions, famine, and reform—while its thousands of years of imperial dynasties, philosophies, inventions, and cultural legacies offer endless depth. Now, with China reasserting itself as a global superpower and increasingly on the radar of travellers and curious minds alike, the interest in understanding it—beyond the headlines—is growing fast.
📚 Useful Reading Accessories for Travellers
Even if you love physical books, there’s no denying that an e-reader—especially a Kindle—is a game-changer for travel. The first time I travelled long-term, back in 2008, Kindles didn’t exist and I had to rely on book swaps across South America. I read a lot of terrible books!
Now, with a Kindle, there’s no more lugging heavy novels or hoping to find something decent at the occasional book swap. I recommend the Kindle Paperwhite — the backlight makes it easy to read at night or on public transport, and the battery life is excellent.
👉 Get the Kindle Paperwhite here
Another must-have for travel readers is a clip-on reading light. Even if you’re in a budget hostel with only one dim overhead bulb, or an Airbnb with no bedside lamp (which has happened to me more than once), a good reading light makes all the difference.
👉 Get a lightweight clip-on reading light here
If you’re like me and sometimes read by the pool or on the beach, I highly recommend a waterproof Kindle case or sleeve. It keeps sand, splashes, and sunscreen smudges away from your Kindle — and gives you peace of mind when reading in hammocks, on ferries, or by the waves.
👉 Find a waterproof Kindle sleeve here
Finally, if you want to save money while reading more, Kindle Unlimited is incredible value. It’s a subscription that gives you access to thousands of books (including some of the books on this list – at least on UK Kindle Unlimited). If you read even 2–3 books a month, it pays for itself.
👉 Try Kindle Unlimited free for 30 days here
And finally — bookmarks! A beautiful bookmark is one of my favourite souvenirs to collect while travelling. They’re small, affordable, and make thoughtful gifts for book-loving friends.
Books about China: My Personal Recommendations
In this post, I’ve curated a list of books that go beyond just political analysis or historical timelines. These books cover a huge span of China’s history, and range from traditional historical novels about China to magical realism that verges on epic fantasy. Given the vast amount of history covered, I’ve set out this list in chronological order, so that you can pick your period of interest. These books will bring to life other ways of thinking and living, inspiring you to question your beliefs and thought processes – they certainly did for me.
Looking for books about other Asian countries? Try my guide to books about Southeast Asia, (covering s Singapore, Cambodia and others), books about Asia (covering Nepal and Sri Lanka), and my guides to books about Malaysia and books about Vietnam.
If your plans are more geared towards Europe, check out my guides to books about Albania and books about Bulgaria.
Pictures of books in this guide were taken in my favourite cafes in Da Nang, Vietnam, or Tirana, Albania. If I don’t have a picture of a book, it came from my local library.
📘She Who Became the Sun & He Who Drowned the World – Shelley Parker-Chan
Date: 2021/2023
Genre: historical fantasy, LGBTQIA
Trigger warnings: These books are among the darker titles on this list. Consider using a resource like Book Trigger Warnings to check your specific triggers.
Summary: This duology is set in 13th century China and reimagines the ascent of Zhu Yuanzhang. He was a real historical figure who rose from poverty and monkhood to become the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty, leading one of the most significant rebellions in Chinese history. In this reimagining, a young girl assumes the identity of her older brother Zhu when he dies as a result of famine. Greatness has been forecast for the original Zhu, and the new Zhu struggles with the way this fate interacts with their own ambition and determination to survive. We follow Zhu as they gain increasing power, all while struggling with their gender identity and relationships.
The two incredible novels are historical fantasy at it’s best. Despite this distant time period, they are incredibly modern novels, exploring gender identity, the role of women and the role of eunuchs Chinese society at this time. The duology world-builds on a George R. R. Martin or Tolkien scale, but at the centre are incredible human tales of ambition, revenge and redemption.
One of the most interesting facets of the novel for me was the culture clash between the minority Mongol rulers and the majority Han Chinese population. The author does an incredible job of showing the ‘otherness’ of the Mongols through Zhu’s eyes, while also creating characters within the Mongol dynasty who see their way of life as the norm.
🧭 Where it takes you: to 13th century China and the rise of the Ming dynasty.
🏆 Awards: British Fantasy Award – Best Newcomer (2022) for She Who Became the Sun, Nominee for He Who Drowned the World; Astounding Award for Best New Writer (formerly John W. Campbell Award) – Winner (2022); New York Times Notable Book of 2021; A Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist – Fantasy Category (2021); TIME Magazine – 100 Must-Read Books of 2021; NPR – Best Books of the Year (2021)
📖 Why read it: to learn about China’s medieval history in novels that seamlessly blending fact, myth and fantasy.
📘 Get these books in paperback → She Who Became the Sun & He Who Drowned the World
📖 Read these books on Kindle → She Who Became the Sun & He Who Drowned the World
💡 Depending on where you’re based, these titles may also be available through Kindle Unlimited — you can check when you click through.
📘 Lady Tan’s Circle of Women – Lisa See
Date: 2023
Genre: historical fiction
Summary: Two medieval women from different social classes, Tan Yunxian and Meiling, struggle to use their hard-earned medical skills within the strict parameters allotted to women. Yunxian learns to be a doctor from her grandmother, while Meiling becomes a midwife. Their friendship is tested when Yunxian has to make an arranged marriage, into a much stricter family where she is forbidden to set foot outside the family compound.
This book is incredibly well researched and written historical fiction novel about China. It excels in creating the immersive and cloying environment where Tan Yunxian exists. In her world, women are forbidden to ever leave their own household (except for marriage) and rarely see men. This creates a strict hierarchy of women that is always being subtly challenged. In addition, many of the women in Tan Yunxian’s household have bound feet, making it physically impossible for them to have any kind of independence.
This book really brought this closed world to life for me – as someone who travels regularly, the thought of being confined to one house for most of my life is horrifying. Despite these strictures, Tan Yunxian and Meling find ways to share their expertise and to thrive – showing how much resilience women have always had. This is even more astonishing when you find out that Tan Yunxian was a real woman, and much of the book is based on her own writings.
🧭 Where it takes you: to the 15th century, during the Ming dynasty – primarily to a closed household that women are forbidden to leave.
🏆 Awards: RUSA Best Historical Novel of 2023; Goodreads Finalist for Best Historical Novel of 2023
📖 Why read it: To understand the reality of life and foot-binding faced by women across many centuries in China.
📘 Get Lady Tan’s Circle of Women in paperback → Get it here
📖 Read Lady Tan’s Circle of Women on Kindle → Get it here
📘 The Fox Wife – Yangsze Choo
Date: 2024
Genre: historical fiction, magical realism
Summary: Snow is a fox who has lived a long life and recently lost a child. She sets out on a quest for vengeance that leads her across early 20th century China and into Japan. An intertwined storyline follows Bao, an older man working as a private investigator. Bao has the unusual ability to detect lies, and a fascination with foxes.
This historical fiction novel about China has a unique focuses on magical realism and Chinese beliefs around foxes. In Chinese culture, foxes are considered to be a magical creature, who can transform between human and animal form, and who trick and bewitch ordinary humans. Like the Lotus Shoes, it also looks at social change in China at the turn of the century, touching on the increasing revolutionary activity that will eventually bring down the Ming dynasty in 1911. However, the majority of the book is a journey across China and into Japan, highlighting the similarities and differences between these two countries.
🧭 Where it takes you: to China and Japan at the turn of the century.
🏆 Awards: International Dublin Literary Award 2025 – Longlisted**; Historical Writers’ Association Gold Crown Award -**Longlisted. NPR “Books We Love” Favourite Fiction of 2024, Time Magazine – Best Book of February 2024
📖 Why read it: to understand the role of folklore in Chinese society, as well as the role of women.
🌏 Does it link to Southeast Asia: Yangsze Choo’s other novel is about Chinese immigrants to Malacca in Malaysia, and equally focused on magical realism and Chinese belief systems in Malaysia. Find it in my guide to books about Southeast Asia.
📘 Get The Fox Wife in paperback → Get it here
📖 Read The Fox Wife on Kindle → Get it here
📘The Lotus Shoes – Jane Yang
Date: 2025
Genre: historical fiction
Summary: Little Flower’s mother has no choice but to sell Little Flower into a form of slavery called muizei – being a lady’s maid. But to five Little Flower the best possible start in life, she binds her feet so that Little Flower has a chance of marriage. In contrast, her new mistress Linjing’s feet are not bound – her ambitious father has secured her a betrothal to a wealthy and progressive family, who see natural feet as the future in a China increasingly influenced by the West. The novel follows both girls as they grow up and reckon with the impact of slavery and economic challenges.
The novel draws on the experience of both of the author’s Chinese grandmothers, and feels deeply authentic. It’s an excellent read and an insight into the incredibly complex issue of foot binding. It also highlights the changes happening in China at the turn of the century, as western social ideas become more prevalent in society and clash with traditional social customs.
The only drawback to this novel is that it’s almost impossible not to hate Linjing – but it’s worth bearing with this novel despite the character.
🧭 Where it takes you: to a China on the cusp of the 20th century and social change
📖 Why read it: To understand the incredible importance placed on foot binding in Chinese culture, and the prevalence of forms of slavery in traditional China
📘 Get The Lotus Shoes in paperback → Get it here
📖 Read The Lotus Shoes on Kindle → Get it here
📘 Wild Swans, Jung Chang
Date: 1991
Genre: Memoir, biography/autobiography
Trigger warnings: foot binding, violence, torture, pregnancy loss, severe mental illness, abuse, suicide, famine and mass death and myriad other triggers. This book is among the most brutal I’ve ever read, although never gratuitous. If you have particular triggers, consider researching these in advance.
Summary: Wild Swans is the story of three generations of women – a grandmother, who becomes an official concubine of an early 20th century warlord, a mother who dedicates her life to the Communist Party and marries a senior official, and a daughter (the author) who goes from worship of Mao to disillusion, eventually leaving China to study in the UK.
I’m (just) old enough to remember the hype around Wild Swans when it came out in the early 1990s – and that furore is entirely deserved. It’s another contender for best book I’ve ever read, alongside Brotherless Night, featured in my books about Asia list – reading it truly feels like a lifechanging experience. While I’m not a Chinese history expert, I know the basics of China’s 20th century, from the rise of Communism to Great Leap Forward and then the Cultural Revolution. But reading Wild Swans is an immersive experience that takes you into one extraordinary family’s very ordinary experience of these events.
The author’s own personal journey, from her immersion in the Cult of Personality surrounding Mao to complete disillusion, via work as a peasant, electrician, ‘barefoot doctor’ and English student, is vividly detailed and painfully believable. he chapters on her grandmother’s limited options in the early 20th century contrast powerfully with her mother’s initial post-revolution freedoms—before those, too, are stripped away.
The book manages to be incredibly personal and riveting, while delivering China’s political and economic history in a way that never feels overwhelming. Above all, this book will make you want to scream in frustration. You’ll also desperately hope that the author’s assertion that things are changing continues to be true. If there’s one book on this list you should read before visiting China, this is it.
🧭 Where it takes you: through China in the 20th century, via the lives of three generations of women
🏆 Awards: NCR Book Award (UK, 1992) – Winner; British Book of the Year Award (UK, 1993) – Winner; UK Writers’ Guild Best Non‑Fiction (1992); Fawcett Society Book Award (UK, 1992) – Winner. Sold over 13 million copies.
📖 Why read it: For sweeping insight into 20th century China, both at a personal and geo-political level. This book is a primer on Chinese history, delivered in an enormously personal story.
🌏 Does it link to Southeast Asia: While this book is entirely about China, it gives incredible insight into the mindset propagated by Mao’s Communist Party and adapted in countries across Southeast Asia such as Vietnam. It’s a great insight into how Communism stifles individualism.
🌏 Does it link to Europe? Yes, Wild Swans has links to Europe—particularly Albania, which remained one of China’s few allies during its split with the Soviet Union. In the book, Albanian media is one of the rare portals into foreign culture, such as cinema. This was echoed in museums about communism that I visited in Tirana.
📘 Get Wild Swans in paperback → Get it here
📖 Read Wild Swans on Kindle → Get it here
📘 These Violent Delights & Our Violent Ends, Chloe Gong
Date: 2020 & 2021
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Summary: A retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai, this duology follows Juliette Cai, the heir to the Scarlet Gang, and her first love and rival Roma Montagov, from the White Flowers. As a monster starts to stalk Shanghai, they must work together to bring an end to the chaos it’s causing. In the second book, they face challenges not only from the supernatural, but from historic events including China’s ongoing civil war.
This young adult duology about China is is very different to the other modern novels on this list, as it focuses on romance and fantasy. Despite this, it still gives insight into the chaos of China in the 1920s, after the fall of the Manchu dynasty and before the rise of Communism.
I’m rarely a fan of books based on another story, as I find this tends to remove some of the suspense, and that was definitely the case with these novels, where the structure of Romeo and Juliet interacts with typical romanstasy tropes to limit tension. However, if you like fantasy, they’re still a great read.
🧭 Where it takes you: decadent, violent Shanghai in the 1920s
🏆 Awards: Sir Julius Vogel Award – Best Youth Novel, Winner (2021); Goodreads Choice Awards – Best YA Fantasy & Science Fiction, Nominee (2020); Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2020
📖 Why read it: for a lighter reading experience that still blends history in with it’s romanstasy focus.
📘 Get these books in paperback → These Violent Delights & Our Violent Ends
📖 Read these books on Kindle → These Violent Delights & Our Violent Ends
📘 Beautiful Country, Qian Julie Wang
Date: 2021
Genre: Memior
Summary: A memoir following the author’s childhood as an undocumented migrant in New York. Her parents flee China, and despite being highly educated professors in China, have to take on menial jobs in America. Wang is bullied at school due to her poor English, and regularly experiences racism alongside the poverty her parents have been forced into.
I read this book a long time ago now, but I still remember it as I rarely read memoirs. It’s a beautiful story of change and resilience, and very easy to read (especially compared to the other memior on this list, Wild Swans, which is a beast of a book). This book is a timely exploration of the struggles faced by undocumented migrants in America, especially those who are working hard to build a better life for themselves.
🧭 Where it takes you: into the lives of undocumented Chinese migrants in New York
🏆 Awards: New York Times Notable Book (2021); Chinese American Librarians Association Best Book Award (2022), Named one of the Best Books of the Year (2021) by The New York Times, NPR, Publishers Weekly, The Guardian, Good Housekeeping, She Reads and others; Featured by President Barack Obama in his “Top 13 Books of 2021”.
📖 Why read it: To understand the lives of Chinese migrants who fled the oppressive Chinese government in the late 20th century
📘 Get Beautiful Country in paperback → Get it here
📖 Read Beautiful Country on Kindle → Get it here
📘 The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, Lisa See
Date: 2017
Genre: historical fiction
Summary: Li-yan belongs to the Akha tribe in Yunnan. She pursues an education, becoming the first businesswoman in her family and community, creating a much more sustainable income from the tea her family have harvested for generations. When she becomes pregnant outside of marriage, she rejects the Akha tradition of giving the baby to be killed, instead leaving her child outside an orphanage in a nearby city. The other half of the narrative follows her daughter, Haley, who is adopted by Americans.
This book is so well researched and gives enormous insight into the traditions of the Akha people, and how these are evolving in the modern world. As a British person, I also loved the focus on tea and learned so much about how this delicious drink is viewed in China – when I saw my first tea cake in a tea shop in Luang Prabang in Laos, I was thrilled! The Akha people, who are also found in other Southeast Asia countries such as Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar, are completely different from other groups living in China, including the Han majority, so this book really takes you into a completely new world.
🧭 Where it takes you: to the Akha people in Yunnan, a small ethnic group with distinct traditions, as they face the impact of the modern world
🏆 Awards: 2018 International Dublin Literary Award, Longlisted; Best Books of 2017 by San Francisco Chronicle
📖 Why read it: For immersion into an almost-unknown culture, and to understand how that culture has to adapt to modern life
🌏 Does it link to Southeast Asia: Yes, you can find the Akha people in Southeast Asia countries such as Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar. You can find out more about the Akha people at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre in Luang Prabang.
📘 Get The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane in paperback → Get it here
📖 Read The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane on Kindle → Get it here
Frequently asked questions
What is the best novel to read before visiting China?
For an in-depth and unique perspective on modern on modern China, the best option is Wild Swans. The first-hand experience of Jung Chang shines throughout this book and will illuminate your time in China.
If you need something a little shorter (Wild Swans is between 500-700 pages depending on the edition), Beautiful Country is a shorter memoir about the lives of Chinese immigrants in America, while The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane is a fascinating insight into a particular ethnic group in modern China.
Are these books suitable for someone visiting China for the first time?
Yes. This list includes a mix of memoirs, historical fiction, and fantasy that can help you better understand China’s culture, history, and societal shifts—without requiring academic background knowledge. They’re ideal for curious travellers looking for context and connection.
Is it better to read fiction or non-fiction to understand China?
Both have value. Non-fiction can provide historical and political context, while fiction often reveals emotional truths, societal dynamics, and lived experiences that are harder to capture in factual accounts. A mix of both is ideal for deeper understanding.
Are these books written by Chinese authors?
All these books are written by authors who are either Chinese or of Chinese heritage. Jung Chang grew up in China, and Yangsze Choo grew up in the Chinese community in Malaysia. Chloe Gong was born in Shanghai and raised in New Zealand, while Lisa See and Jane Yang have Chinese grandparents. Shelley Parker-Chan’s mother is Malaysian-Chinese.
Why is it important to read books by Chinese authors?
Reading Chinese authors offers essential perspectives that are often missing from Western narratives—especially when it comes to the mindset of communism, the experiences of the 20th century and the role of women. These authors bring cultural nuance and authenticity that can’t be replicated by outside voices.
Are these books appropriate for teenagers or young adult readers?
Some of the books, like These Violent Delights and Beautiful Country, are suitable for young adult readers. Others deal with mature themes such as political violence, oppression, or foot binding, so it’s worth checking trigger warnings or content summaries first.
📚 Shop My China Book List & Travel reading essentials
Here are my top picks , plus the travel reading gear I swear by:
- Wild Swans: Paperback | Kindle
- The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane Paperback | Kindle
- She Who Became the Sun Paperback | Kindle
- Lady Tan’s Circle of Women Paperback | Kindle
✨ Travel Reading Essential
- Kindle Paperwhite – my go-to travel reader
- Clip on book light – perfect for hostels & night buses
- Waterproof Kindle Cover – essential for beaches & pools
💡 Pro Tip: Some of these titles may be included in Kindle Unlimited. Availability varies by country, so it’s worth checking if you already subscribe — or you can try Kindle Unlimited free for 30 days here.
Whether you’re planning a trip to China or simply curious about its rich and complex past, these books offer a window into lives, dynasties, and belief systems that have shaped the country across centuries. From ancient traditions to modern upheavals, they bring China’s stories vividly to life. I hope this list sparks your curiosity, challenges your perspective, and maybe even inspires your next adventure—on the page or in real life.
Have you read any of these titles, or do you have a favourite book about China that I missed? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your recommendations and reflections.
Em is a passionate traveller and lifelong book lover who reads over 100 books a year and has explored more than 50 countries—including an unforgettable trip to China in 2015. She writes about culturally immersive travel and the books that bring destinations to life. Whether hiking remote sections of the Great Wall or navigating night markets to marvel at fried scorpions, she’s always chasing the stories—real or imagined—that help make sense of a place.
✅ All photos featured on this blog are from my personal travel experiences. No stock images are used.
Such a great post. I love reading about a destination before my travels- it gets me really excited! Thank you for the recs!
No problem – I hope you get to read some of them (and visit China!)
Some great recommended reading, I particularly like the sound of Lady Tan’s Circle of Women about life during medieval China. Having lived and worked in China some years ago, it’s an incredible cultural and steeped in history.
That’s a really interesting book – it really left an impression on me!
Wow, I think I’m going to have to add almost all of these to my reading list. I’m really interested in history and the memoirs and novels really seem like great ways to get a glimpse into the past. Great list!
I hope you get to read some of them!
I think it is a great idea to read books about China before visiting. The country has such a long and fascinating history. Great to have that knowledge before visiting. You have chosen a good mix of books to provide different perspectives.
Good to hear I’ve hit those different perspectives!
This is such a great list! Thank you for sharing these book recommendations. I would love to read The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane.
Good choice!