How to See the Great Wall of China in a Wheelchair
Stretching for thousands of miles across the Chinese countryside, from the Gobi Desert to the Bohai Sea, the Great Wall of China remains one of the greatest manmade wonders of the world. Built over 2,000 years of imperial rule, the Wall is comprised of a series of fortifications, towers and stone barriers. Thanks to accommodations brought about by the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, wheelchair-bound travelers can now access the popular Badaling section of the Great Wall just north of the capital.
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Instructions
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See the Great Wall of China from hundreds of different viewpoints throughout the Chinese countryside, ranging from views from highways to views from hotel rooms. The only wheelchair accessible section of the Great Wall, however, is located at Badaling, a restored section of the Wall located north of Beijing.
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Experience views from the Badaling section of the Great Wall and access a watchtower via a 400-meter sloped ramp installed for wheelchair access.
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Ascend the Great Wall at Badaling via one of two elevators available on site. Follow signage for access to elevators.
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Tips & Warnings
Streamline access to the Great Wall at Badaling by booking a travel company offering tours for the disabled.
The Badaling section of the Great Wall is currently the only wheelchair friendly section of the Wall.
References
- Photo Credit the great wall of china image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com the great wall image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com Great great wall image by Charles Jacques from Fotolia.com great wall - china image by XtravaganT from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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We are in March 2012.
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Are you going there?
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I have received the following comments from a travel agent regarding wheelchair access to the Great Wall. Can anyone tell me: 1. Does one have to go up the 30 steps from the lift to get to the accessible section, as stated in paragraph 1 below? Is there a way to bypass these steps? 2. Is the Juyongguan section a better place to go for accessibility? Thank you very much. Ken James I double checked with our local agencies in Beijing to make sure the accessible section to suit your situation. I found 2 parts of the great wall for you: 1. The Badaling Great wall: 2. The Juyongguan great wall. 1. The Badaling Great wall as you mentioned in your enquiry. Schedule: Our car will be parked in Guntiangou Parking lot then a 10 min slope walking way (about 200m-300m) for your small electric scooter, the end of the walking way is a lift, you will take the lift to a platform to see the Badaling great wall. About the accessible section, there are about 30 steps between it and the lift; I guess it is hard for you to climb. From your information, Beijing Government opened some special pass way during the Paralympics, however it is closed now. You can only have a view on the great wall and take photos with it. 2. The Juyongguan great wall (highly recommended). This part of Great wall is highly recommended by our Beijing agencies to me. It is easier for you to get there and have a great experience by touching the wall and stand on the great wall, besides; it is higher than the platform you reach in the Badaling great wall. Schedule: Our car will drive you to the foot of the Junyongguan great wall. The parking lot is part of the great wall, which you just get out of the car and you are there( to be a hero!). It is 3-5 steps between the parking lot and a platform, if it is ok for you to walk, our guide can help you to conquer these difficulties, then you will have a great view of it. You can see the fort and the most famous tablet written on “The first pass in the world”. Besides, if any emergencies happen, it is more convenient for the guide and driver to help you out. However, it is not as original as Badaling, it was rebuilt in 1970.
