- *Homegrown Love: A Memoir of Family, Country, and Culture* (2021)
- *Living Without an Owner’s Manual: A Memoir of a Chinese Life* (2014)
- *Shanghai Girls* (2009)
- *Girl in the Moon Circle* (2006)
- *The Unfortunate Importance of Beauty: A Memoir* (2002)
- *The Many Faces of Silence* (1998)
- *Betrayers of the Truth* (1994)
- *The Great Longing: A Memoir of an American Childhood* (1991)
- *The Beginning of Spring: A Chinese Farmer's Story* (1991)
- *Destination Chongqing* (1988)
- *China Quiz: A Journey to Discover China Today* (1987)
Short Stories:
- "My Mother's Son" (2012)
- "The Red Suitcase" (2009)
- "The House Guest" (2006)
- "The Wedding" (2002)
- "The Woman Who Loved Ghosts" (1998)
- "The River of Forgetfulness" (1994)
Essays and Articles:
- "The Last Emperor's Daughter: A Memoir of a Fragile Life" (2021)
- "The Chinese American Experience" (2018)
- "The Rise of China: A Challenge for the West" (2016)
- "The American Dream in China" (2014)
- "The Changing Face of Chinese Women" (2012)
- "The Chinese Cultural Revolution: A Personal Perspective" (2010)
- "The Future of China: A View from the Inside" (2008)
- "The Art of Chinese Cooking" (2006)
- "The Chinese New Year" (2004)
- "Chinese Medicine: A Journey of Discovery" (2002)