This book would force you ask yourself why you travel. Seth writes like a song. He paints the socio-political vista of a demographically varied China the Han, the Uiughurs and the Tibetans. Vikram Seth took nearly 2 months from China to India hitchhiking all the way across. When the time comes for him to return home, he decides on a mega unconventional route. Vikram captures the emotions of his friendship with the Chinese people. You get several glimpses into the lives and stories of China’s diverse citizens, from the Muslim Uighurs of Turfan to the Buddhist Tibetans of Lhasa.