After visiting The Great Wall of China, one headed back to Beijing to experience Temple of Heaven…
Accessibility wise, it is clear that efforts have been made to improve access across the site…
However, some modifications are a little questionable including this one leading to the Temple…
Albeit quite scary, one managed to reach the top presenting an insight into The Temple of Heaven, it’s intricate external artwork of dragons and Phoenix’ together with the lavish interior…
Tomorrow we catch the famous Chinese Bullet Train to Xian to visit The Terracotta Warriors.
Today, we headed outside the city of Beijing and travelled to Badaling where a section of The Great Wall of China is located before stretching a further 7800km. One chose to scale the wall at Badaling as there is also a section that is wheelchair accessible. However, before exploring this, we decided that in order to get an authentic feel, one would bounce backwards up the steps…
After this point, the gradient becomes quite steep hence we decided to retreat back down and find the accessible route which located on the opposite side of the road to the ticket office. There are two ways of reaching the wheelchair accessible part of The Great Wall, one can either roll up the ramp or take one of two lifts. However, it is worth noting that a wheelchair user needs to let them know in advance if they wish to use the lifts. As a result, one went up the ramped access…
The ramp enables one to access a reasonably flat fortification with good views of the Wall and surrounding countryside. It is also possible to enter one of the Great Wall’s accommodation towers, however there is a little step up to that…
As one exited the Beijing Subway Network, the sight of the Beijing Olympic Tower (which is 246.8 metres) greeted us. However, the first aim was to roll to the iconic Birds Nest Stadium and Water Cube. As one would expect from a modern Olympic Park, the majority of the park is wheelchair accessible, especially the central ‘boulevard’…
The famous Birds Nest Stadium is located just off the ‘boulevard’…
Before hopping back onto the Subway Network, one couldn’t resist a visit to the Beijing Olympic Tower. The tower costs around £20 per person. For this, one can visit several observation decks (all accessible) including a glass floor….
Tomorrow, we head outside Beijing to visit the world famous Great Wall of China.
As one mentioned yesterday, the plan for today was to head across Beijing to the Olympic Park which is home to structures including the Birds Nest and Water Cube constructed for the 2008 Games. However, one first had to navigate the Beijing Subway Network which is amongst the longest in the world.
As per usual, one did some prior research finding out what stations are accessible only to discover that it isn’t possible to download any form of accessibility map! As a result, one had to resort to watching YouTube videos in addition to zooming in 500% on images.
Luckily for one, the line that we wanted to go on (Line 8) to visit the Olympic Park is completely accessible. However, it is worth noting that the lift at Nanluogu Xiang station (which is the terminus) is located down the side passage.
Line 8 consists of modern rolling stock meaning that level boarding is possible…
Once inside, a designated wheelchair space is present with a seatbelt that allows the user to secure a mobility device during transit if appropriate…
As one implied, this afternoon was about visiting Beijings famous landmarks including The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. The city has made strides in terms of accessibility as a result of the 2008 Paralympic Games and this is clearly visible at the entrance of The Forbidden City…
A short walk across the road from The Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square. The area is pretty easy to roll around for wheelchair users, that is once one has navigated through the traffic…
It is worth noting for wheelchair users who wish to explore outside this area that one can’t guarantee that all of the citys underpasses are accessible. It may be a ramp leading down to said underpass, however, the other side consisted of steps. One would therefore recommend that you get on the right side early enough before you head out of town!
Tomorrow, one plans to visit the famous Olympic Park using the Beijing Subway Network.
One would have started this post by saying Hello in Chinese, however, this iPad doesn’t have the Chinese alphabet thus Hello from Beijing will have to do!
After a 9 hour ‘red eye’ flight, we touched down at Beijing Capital International Airport. One was amazed to see the speed at which the baggage handlers brought up the manual wheelchair to the plane door, around 10 minutes!
Its worth mentioning that Superbunny has stayed in the UK on this occasion as Chinese officials are a little wary of electric wheelchairs as a result of a recent incident. It is hoped that one will be able to roll around China in Superbunny in the future.
During our time in Beijing, one is staying at The Peninsula Hotel. It has to be said that this hotel can only be classed as luxury in ones opinion…
Here are some photos of what greeted one in an ‘accessible’ room.
As accessible rooms go, it is one of the best that we have stayed in thus far. Just look at that shower chair. The room itself is controlled by touch screens where one is able to turn the lights on and off in addition to opening and closing the curtains!
The plan for this afternoon is to explore the Forbidden Palace, Tiananmen Square and Downtown. As usual, one did a little of prior research and noted that, as a result of the 2008 Paralympic Games, the access of the city has dramatically improved thus it will be interesting to see to what extent.
As ones flight wasn’t until 18:00pm, I decided to undertake an experiment by taking a stroll around Copenhagen by oneself to see how Danish people would interact with a disabled individual without anyone to assist. To make things more interesting, one only knows two words of Danish!
Beginning the experiment, one rolled down to the waterfront where the Copenhagen Mall is situated and journeyed through some of the surrounding housing areas. It is surprising how many houses and apartments had step free access, Scandinavian design at it’s finest! One continued by a desire to find out whether the metro network was accessible. One is unsure if all the metro and suburban stations have lifts, however, this one had so one went for a gander. One was approached by a few Danes whilst attempting to push the lift button. Despite the language barrier, one gathered that they were asking to help. Once on the platform, one studied the suburban trains and it appears that there is a designated disabled area signposted by a large wheelchair image, however, there is a step up into the carriage! One can only presume that ramps are available upon request.
After checking out of the hotel, one headed down to Copenhagen train station to catch the train out to the airport. After our successful trip to Malmo on Wednesday, one thought it would be a simple process getting Superbunny on and and off and it was indeed! It has to be said that catching the train to the airport is most likely the cheapest and efficient option as it takes you directly beneath Terminal 3. It is all wheelchair accessible also .
The airport process went according to plan and, for once, security talked to one like an actual human being and not some child. Although our flight was delayed by half an hour, we were escorted into the Ambulift early and then sat on the airfield for half an hour waiting for the plane to come in, efficiency that!
Next month, one will be taking the long haul flight to China to visit Beijing, Xian (Visiting the Terracotta Warriors) and Shanghai.
Back in Copenhagen, one caught the ‘Hop On, Hop Hop Off’ bus today for a tour around the city. The Tivoli Hotel concierge informed us that some of the buses were not wheelchair accessible and needed to call ahead to check the bus (as of 2017). To make life easier, one opted for the manual wheelchair!
Although the bus we caught was wheelchair accessible, no tie down straps were available thus the driver didn’t like the idea of one staying in the wheelchair! The tour took us around various landmarks such as The Little Mermaid which you couldn’t actually see from the bus which was a little disappointing…
The main issue arose when one was told to get off the bus and get on older one to continue the tour. The bus was not wheelchair accessible at all meaning that the manual wheelchair had to be carried on board and folded up otherwise we would have been stuck for 40 minutes!
Tomorrow, we head back to Copenhagen International Airport, this time by train for our short flight back to Bristol.
Today, we travelled over the border to visit Malmö in Sweden via the Øresund Bridge. This takes around 60 minutes from Copenhagen by train. As ever, one was intrigued as to the accessibility of the Danish railway network. It turns out that the train to Malmö had a lower section to allow for level boarding for wheelchair users (much like the TGV trains in France) making it simple to roll on and off. However, it is worth noting that the platforms at Copenhagen are at different gradients hence level boarding may only be possible on some platforms otherwise a ramp is required. Once inside, the carriages are spacious with designated wheelchair spaces…
After de-boarding at Malmö Central Station, the thing that struck one was how clean everything is compared to Copenhagen. In addition, this being Sweden, it’s super easy to roll around in a wheelchair…
The main objective was to find our way to the Turning Torso (apparently named after the shape of a mans torso!) to see whether it was possible to go up to the top. Dismissing Google Maps, one followed the towering structure seen from all over the city.
Along the way, various landmarks came into view including the boat warehouse where the Eurovision Song Contest was held a couple of years ago!
Once one reached the Turning Torso, it was a little unclear whether you are allowed up said structure. However, after a discussion with the front desk staff, it turns out that they do tours at a reasonable cost. This tour included going up to the 54th floor which provides panoramic views of the city and the Øresund. It also includes a 30 minute presentation in pure Swedish!
After half an hour if a Swedish lesson, one sampled some traditional Moose at a local restaurant before heading back to Copenhagen.
Tomorrow, one plans to be a proper tourist by catching the ‘Hop On, Hop Off’ bus around Copenhagen.
Today, one visited Tivoli Gardens which is situated roughly in the centre of Copenhagen. On the way, one was able to get a feel of the accessibility of the city for wheelchair users. As predicted, being in Scandinavia, it is to a high standard with drop curbs in appropriate places etc…
After finding our way through various crowds, we reached the entrance to Tivoli Gardens. It is worth noting that disabled individuals can enter for FREE!
It’s difficult for one to describe the place, perhaps part theme park, part gardens. A large proportion of the site is completely wheelchair accessible making for an easy roll…
One of the highlights of Tivoli Gardens is its truffles which are truly divine…
On the way back to the hotel, one stopped off at the main station in Copenhagen to discover how the Danish railway system works in regards to booking assistance. According to the helpdesk, assistance must be booked at least 24 hours prior to the journey. Despite this, one is opting for the safer option of taking the manual wheelchair tomorrow to avoid as many complications as possible.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in the pool before heading up to the sky bar to have some civilised whiskey whilst admiring the cityscape of Copenhagen…
Tomorrow, we head over the border to Malmö in Sweden.
