Getting a Clear Picture of Customs : A good attitude and preparation can make your stay in a foreign country more pleasant.

Crouched down in front of the temple gate in Chengdu, capital of China’s Sichuan province, I focused my Telephoto lens on two elderly men surrounded by a display of bright red fireworks. Less than a minute later, a tiny elderly woman in a flowing brown robe tore across the square toward me. Fists flying, and screaming, she planted herself about six inches in front of my nose. A crowd quickly gathered. I was the only foreigner and the center of much attention. She continued to scream and I had no idea what was going on.

Learning about foreign customs and cultures before you leave home is the best way to avoid innocently offending people who you encounter abroad. Sometimes even that is not enough.

In this incident, the woman was a monk. She had been standing near the temple gate where I was photographing and thought that I had taken her picture--something that for her was deeply disturbing. Fortunately, all I had to do to politely get out of the situation with my camera and film intact was to listen calmly to the woman until her anger was spent.

China is a fascinating and exotic destination, but one that can also be filled with frustrations and challenges--especially for independent budget travelers. Information and guidance are among your greatest assets for a successful experience. That’s why investing in a good guidebook before you leave home is so important.

Some English-language guidebooks are sold in China, but often the most recent editions are not available. The most comprehensive source of information for budget and independent travelers that I know of is “China--A Travel Survival Kit,” by Joe Cummings and Robert Storey (Lonely Planet, $19.95). This new, 880-page third edition is so packed with information that an independent traveler would be foolish to leave home without it.

Another important piece of advice for independent budget travelers in China: Try not to lose your temper.

Outfitted with the right information and a patient attitude, China offers budget travelers an exciting, exotic adventure. Here are several suggestions to consider:

--If you are going to travel on your own on public transportation, try to carry brochure photos of the sights you are planning to visit. Even if you can’t speak the language, you have something to show people when you need to be steered in the right direction.

--Always carry the address and name of your lodging in Chinese script. Once again, if you get lost, you can get help.

--The dust and pollution in cities can be quite strong. A scarf or face mask is a wise investment.

--You should pack your own small medical kit.

--Should you need Western products such as medicine, tissues, familiar food or slide film, and you are in a major city, seek out the “Friendship Store.” Beijing’s Friendship Store, for example, has everything from a supermarket supplied with Western products to international telex services.