Most of the western type hotels have business cards in both english and chinese. Be sure to have one of these on you at all times, so at least you can get back to your hotel. English speaking translators/drivers are not difficult/expensive to find.

Make friends with someone who can read and write in both english and chinese. Have them write out your destinations on a paper. Pointing and smiling work really well. If you look typically western (not meant to profile, but I have red hair and light green eye), people will know you "are not from around here" and try to help if you have issues.

Be sure to get written translation before you head out. A map will do you no go since it is written in chinese character and street signs are non-existent/ illegible.

I never had any good luck getting help from police man, but looking at a map and looking very lost, got me thru many times. Many young people speak some english and are always happy to try to help.