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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 Asia, you have all sorts of diverse methods of transportation. In China, the best way to get around for short distances is by using these two methods of transportation we don’t use as commonly, if at all, in the West. Whatever, pray tell, do you mean? Rickshaws and “trici-car-axis”. Rickshaw? And Tricka-ca-what?

Photo: Andrea Hunt

In the last article we discussed rickshaws. But those are more familiar. Now what was the second one? Tricka-car-what? The second form of transportation popular in China is quick, easy, and requires sweat from no one. These are what I have coined trici-car-axis. These wonderful little vehicles travel at greater velocities than a rickshaw, can go on major streets, and you sit encased in relative safety from the outside world. These little cars have, as the name might indicate, three wheels. There is a small body around the wheel and space in the back for no more than 2 people or one overweight Western person. I should note that usually these trici-car-axis generally do not have shocks and you will bounce around a bit, but they are extremely convenient.

In smaller towns in China, many times the train or bus station is bit outside the city. At times, if you arrive in the evening, there are only a certain number of regular car taxis at any given time. While in the city center, it may be only 5 RMB taxi fare; from outside the city center the taxis tend to try and milk you for all you are worth. Sometimes, regular taxis will try and group together 4 different people who are going complete opposite directions and charge them 20 RMB each. You then are left with the option of waiting until there are no more people with whom to share and hoping there is a regular taxi left, or paying the extra fare and they may drop you off last. This is especially infuriating when you really need to get somewhere and you are the closest but you end up driving around the city all night because you were, unlucky number “4” and got in last because they needed one more person.

Incidentally, with these little trici-car-axis, only one or two people can fit, so there is no peril of over-stuffing the taxi. These little things can weave efficiently in and out of traffic where cars or trucks cannot or dare not go, even on sidewalks. They are cheaper, and while not as comfortable and much louder, they are more efficient and you feel completely entertained sitting in the back of one. Many times, if there are no taxis around, you can take one of these little guys to a busier area of town or to the nearest subway stop, etc, which will help you along your way much faster.

Photo: Andrea Hunt

In summation, while on your travels in China, why walk when you can take a rickshaw or a trici-car-axi? It’s not something you can usually do in most Western cities so take full advantage. Remember to bargain BEFORE you get in/on the pedicabs or trici-car-axis to make sure you are in accord with their price, and vice-versa. Usually, these little vehicles are cheap and always less than a taxi so you might as well take the chance while you are in Asia! Remember, it’s all part of the China adventure, fear not traffic for you are in China! It will all seem crazy anyway so try to enjoy it, plus it makes for a good back ground for those “Chinesey” photos you need to send home!

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