I looked around the crowded street with my cell phone in hand. My screen was cued up with bold Chinese characters that spelled out my intended destination. "Nihao, could you help me?" I asked a stranger. I was met with a blank stare and a wave of a hand signaling he wanted nothing to do with helping me.

With no language or knowledge of the city, one of the biggest challenges I faced was figuring out how to get from point A to point B. I finally learned how to navigate the subway, but I could never quite figure out what exit to take or when I get off.

With so many modes of transportation in China, you may find yourself riding a bike, taking the subway and jumping into a tuk-tuk all in one trip. Each has its own culture and mode of operation.

During rush hour, be prepared for pushing, shoving and crowded subway cars. There are recharge and one-way, self-use ticket hubs if you do not feel your Chinese is up to par for the man in the window. The hubs offer an English option and an easy to use interface to help you get where you need to go. With signs in English and subway apps on your phone, you should be able to master the subway in no time.

Taxis are a little trickier. When I first got up enough courage to hail a taxi, I made sure to have my Chinese address written down or loaded on my cell phone.

The first few times, I walked up to the window and started to show my address, and I was once again met with a waving hand and even a "No, no, no."

Due to China's overcrowded roadways, you need to make sure you are standing on the side of the road going in the direction you are headed. You also need to make sure you have a copy of the address written in Chinese. Some taxi drivers come from rural areas, so they may not know your location.

The tuk-tuk is a creature all on its own. In tourist areas, expect to pay a pretty penny if you do not establish how much you want to pay beforehand. Be aware that these drivers will take the long way to squeeze more money out of you. It is best if you learn basic directional phrases and numbers before hitching a ride with one of these drivers.

Whatever mode you use, just remember that patience and a good game plan is always the best way to get there faster.

This article was published on the Global Times Metropolitan section Two Cents page, a space for reader submissions, including opinion, humor and satire. The ideas expressed are those of the author alone, and do not represent the position of the Global Times.