Pearl River Delta Guide is an informative and entertaining travel guide to Hong Kong’s Back Yard – one of the world’s hottest new destinations. Pearl-River-Delta-Guide_Front_smThe region dubbed the “workshop of the world” – already home to 50 million people - is set to become one of the world’s largest and most influential ‘megacities’ of the 21st Century and is fast becoming a tourist hotspot in its own right. Located on the outskirts of Asia’s global city, Hong Kong, where the Pearl River flows into the South China Sea, it covers the bustling cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan and Zhuhai – all of them linked by high-speed transport networks.   But Pearl River Delta Guide is more than a traditional travel guide. Author Thomas Bird, an expert in this region, examines the myriad of cultural and historical treasures that remain a closely-guarded secret to all but a select handful of travellers.   Ideal both for business travellers and holidaymakers, the guide includes a variety of wonderfully-romantic day trips and excursions across the region – from jazz concerts in Zhuhai to poetry reading in Shenzhen. Heavy on tips about the Arts, not only does it highlight the best literary festivals to catch, it also has sections on the region’s thriving grassroots creative enterprises and its cutting-edge shows and exhibitions. Indeed, it seems there is something for everyone - from underground music to contemporary Art - with museums, galleries, opera houses and concert halls all being listed. The Pearl River Delta Guide also covers the best places for family days out and other heartwarming – and heart-stopping activities. From the Lost City Water Park in Zhuhai, to hiking, bungee jumping, horse riding and rock climbing – this region really is an outdoor playground. [For a less energetic option – of which there are, thankfully, many! – you can bathe in hot springs or top up a tan on any number of fabulous, unspoilt beaches. It also highlights the best shopping, hotels and restaurants (head to Guangzhou for the best Cantonese cuisine, which sounds fabulous). There’s plenty of ‘top fives’, too – from the best historic sites to the must-see religious destinations. This quirky 260-page guide, which is filled with great photos, is also packed with current price points, transport schedules, colour maps and helpful miscellaneous information, such as the ‘best new writers in the region’.   Bird, the author of the acclaimed Hong Kong's Back Yard: Explore The Pearl River Delta, has put this fascinating region on the international map. Such is the quality of his guidebook, it seems likely that an updated version will be published annually.   It is the only reputable guidebook covering this area, making it essential reading for both international travellers and Hong Kong locals.