I am off to China in Oct. and want to get a useful, concise, lightweight guidebook despite the fact I am going on a group tour. What can you suggest?

The guidebooks I found most helpful for my 2010 trip to China were the then-current Frommer's guide (outstanding food info) and the Rough Guide. Neither is lightweight, but I must admit that I can't imagine a lightweight guide that would be particularly useful. I rip out the sections that don't apply to places I plan to visit.

Enjoy!

If Peter Neville-Hadley's new guidebook to China is out by then, that would be my first choice. Estimated publication date is September.

A wholehearted 2nd for marya"s recommendation! And thanks, marya, for the update.

While, I, too, am keen to see Peter Neville-Hadley's new guidebook, I believe it only covers Beijing. The last time I was there I used Lonely Planet, but mostly for the south west.

I would suggest Lonely Planet, they have several editions for different parts of China and are very helpful for tour to China.