Deeply enamored with Taoist martial arts, Damian first reached China in 1992 by way of a Chinese degree at London's School of Oriental Studies.

Since graduation he has lived for several years in Shanghai, shacked up in a Beijing Sahakyan (courtyard house), reached the Tail Shan summit three times, grappled with the Cantonese dialect in Hong Kong, and experienced the best and worst of China's hotels while developing a formidable tolerance for long-distance bus journeys.

 Married with two children, Damian has been authoring Lonely Planet guidebooks (China, China's Southwest, Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong) for over a decade and divides his time between in London and China.

Books Authored

* Lonely Planet China's Southwest Guide

* Lonely Planet Shanghai City Guide

* Lonely Planet China Guide

* Lonely Planet Beijing City Guide

* Shanghai Encounter

* National Geographic Traveler China