City Guide: A Plan to Find Your Way in a New City

After flying for 14 hours on a plane from the USA to China, I had to powder my nose in the worst way! I’m sure you can relate, and my very first impression of China came through this experience.

I began my journey in 2016 in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. The airport was brand spanking new and absolutely huge, with lots of grey, grey walls and a grey marble-ish floor that echoed with every click of my ankle boots as I made my way to the ladies' room. The loo itself was also rather large, also grey, with aisles upon aisles of toilets on a raised level. It was my introduction to the squatty potty. There was no toilet paper, mind you, but it was very clean.

This is much of China. Not just the squatty potties, though yes, in public places the loo is typically a squat toilet, but also the size, the newness, and what feels like a coordinated plan to build cities designed for masses of people. You can see this in the ongoing construction. The population is massive and growing, and cities are preparing by expanding infrastructure, especially transport systems.

I want to write about what it's like being new in a city and a country, and to share how I find my way around and what feels important to me when settling in. Having moved many times in my life, I’ve developed a plan that really works for me.

First, I like to have a bevy at the ready. Something to sip while I clean, or when I wake up or return home from exploring. I like to assess my new digs with a good, thorough first clean. Right away, I find the local market where I can buy tea and coffee, maybe some wine or spirits, in my case, gin with soda and lemon along with cleaning supplies. I usually walk there and take a taxi back, making mental notes or saving locations on my phone of places I want to explore later.

Often, on that initial outing, I’ll spot a coffee shop or bakery I’ll want to visit. I always look for the local baker, even on short visits. Bakers have heart and put so much of themselves into the delicious goods they make. They’re also a reliable source for other food items I may want to find later on. Finding a local café is great too, as they usually have Wi-Fi, making it a nice place to sit and write. The locals tend to frequent these places, and it gives me a sense of my new community.

Next, I figure out the commute to work. I start by walking to work, then take a taxi home. Along the way, I keep an eye out for a variety of things, including eateries that are packed, which is always a good sign, a dry cleaner that’s convenient for drop-off and pick-up, and small stationery shops. On these walkabouts, I also look for beauty salons where I can get a manicure or pedicure, a trim, or a good shampoo. Since I have pets, I search out the local vet and usually pop in to get a feel for the clinic and the staff. I also look for a nearby pharmacy, just in case I need it.

In China, I always locate the local farmer’s market in each neighbourhood. You’ll find all sorts of fresh produce, stalls with sauces, vinegars, and dry goods. There are butchers, seafood sellers, and vendors offering fresh noodles and wraps, along with a wide variety of eggs, nuts, and dried beans. Best of all, I get to mingle with my neighbours. These markets are usually open all day, with peak hours from 6:00 to 8:00 am, during lunch, and again in the early evening from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

All of this starts in what I think of as a concentric circle. I begin close to my flat, then expand the circle to the area around my workplace. Gradually, those circles widen as I become more familiar with my surroundings. I start to find my way around the city, and it begins to feel friendlier. This approach always works for me. If I do get lost, I can usually find a familiar landmark and make my way home, or stop for a cuppa while I get my bearings again.