Three-Wheeling in China - Part 1
Rickshaws and "Trici-car-axis"

In China, you can take the subway but it’s crowded, you can take the bus if you can figure out how to read the sign, you can take a taxi if you don’t mind spending the money. How many other options are there? In other places all over the world, you have little choice about your mode of transportation. Subway, bus, taxi, or walk yourself to work. In big cities everywhere, for short distances, you can either tough it out or spend way too much money for a 10-minute ride. But in Asia and China specifically, there exists a far more fun and entertaining way to get from point A to B for cheaper than a taxi, and a truly unique experience. The answer: Rickshaws and “Trici-car-axis.” Rickshaw? And Tricka-ca-what?

Photo: Andrea Hunt

Let’s start first of all with the more obvious of the two. In China you have seen men or women pedaling a bike with a little buggy hitched to the back. This is a rickshaw, also called a pedicab. While the characters originally come from Chinese, it is the Japanese pronunciation that gives it the English name that we use today. It comes from Japanese, jinrikisha (人力車, 人 jin = human, 力 riki = power or force, 車 sha = vehicle), which literally means "human-powered vehicle".

Rickshaws appeared in China during the 18th century, but the manually pulled ones disappeared during the Cultural Revolution. There have been poems written and novels titled for this traditionally adored form of transport originally meant for royalty. However, in present day, while rickshaws exist, they are in the form of a tricycle with or without a motor and luckily we can all afford them. Nothing quite screams, “I am not in America anymore,” than the feeling of human-powered bicycle transportation as you whiz around the Chinese streets, forcefully and joltingly evading cars and people on your way to your destination. Yes, for the economical price of 5 or 10 RMB in most Chinese cities, you too can perch atop a seat in a crimson colored rickshaw, some of which have a stereo attached playing the musings of Backstreet Boys or Celine Dion (this is not a joke) and remind yourself that you are indeed, not in your homeland anymore. Whether the rickshaw is pedaled by actual legs or a small motor, this is definitely a remarkable and fun way to get yourself around.

Photo: Andrea Hunt

Why bother? You ask. Sometimes a taxi just can’t be found. Every Chinese city seems to have literally millions of taxis empty with their Green “VACANT” signs prominently displayed on the dashboard. But as fate would have it, when you need one, they are all full. Unfortunately, this is usually around rush hour and when it’s raining. You can stand there for hours, helpless and getting increasingly more soggy and disgruntled as you watch literally hundreds of taxis pass with breath-steam- condensed windows filled with people dryer and more content than you are in your present state. The rickshaws will circle around you with plastic covers, looking as inviting as ever. Of course, since it’s raining, they will overcharge you and it probably won’t be 5 or 10 RMB standard price, so you have to consider how much it’s worth it to you to get out of the rain and into a bit of comfort. Your decision to concede depends directly on the water saturation ratio in correlation to your sentiments of sheer desperate irritation. Suddenly out of nowhere and in a pinch, rickshaws can appear as golden and red salvagers of happiness and all things dry and inviting. They are wrapped in a protective plastic sheath that is draped over and meticulously attached to the buggy compartment. The plastic protects you from the rain and though the rickshaw takes a bit longer, you will reach your destination generally unscathed by the oncoming traffic and pothole jostling that accompanies your ride.

Your time is valuable and so is your money. It can be more expensive to take a rickshaw in the rain, but you are assured of transport! Plus, it’s more fun! During the day it’s a quick and cheap way to see the city. And besides, how often do you get to get wheeled around the alleys of London in a rickshaw? Or pedaled through the parks of Chicago? Check parts 2 of “Three-Wheeling Around China” story next time for the answer to your question- what is a trici-car-axi?” Remember, when traveling around, be creative, don't just stick to the regular forms of transportation like cars or… walking. Take advantage of the other remaining economical and more fun ways to get around Asia and around China!

Traveling Around China:
Expat Corner >Train Travel in China- funny stories
Expat Corner >Dragon Air: not exactly paradise on wings
Expat Corner > How to Ride the Bus in Beijing

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