With a degree in Chinese from London's School of Oriental and African Studies, Damian has been researching and writing guidebooks to China since 1997.

A fluent speaker and reader of Chinese, Damian has worked as co-ordinating author on five editions of the Lonely Planet China guide to date, witnessing China during its period of greatest transformation. Damian has also co-written multiple editions of the Lonely Planet Beijing and Shanghai city guides, served as co-ordinating author of China's Southwest, authored Shanghai Encounter and Best of Shanghai and co-authored Hong Kong (all Lonely Planet).

Author of National Geographic Traveler China, Damian has contributed to a variety of newspapers and magazines, from The Guardian to The Daily Telegraph, the New Zealand Herald, Lexean, Frequent Traveller, Beijing Youth Daily and others. His China photographs have appeared in publications as diverse as National Geographic Traveler, Lonely Planet, AA Publishing, Insight Guides and Frequent Traveller.

With a black belt in Taekwondo, Damian is an enthusiastic practitioner of martial arts. Damian has lived for long periods in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong and is also a keen Chinese-English translator.

See www.damianharper.com for more information and a selection of China photographs.