Accessible China — mobility-friendly 7 days in Beijing and Shanghai

Day by day

1. Day 1 · beijing

   Arrive Beijing, orientation — accessible metro

   Arrive at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) — accessible facilities at all terminals. Airport Express train has step-free access to Dongzhimen. The Beijing metro has lift access at approximately 90% of stations — check the official map before travel. Check in to a hotel near Wangfujing (flat area, wide pavements). Afternoon walk on Wangfujing pedestrian street.

   Stay in: Wangfujing — flat terrain, wide pavements, accessible international hotels.

2. Day 2 · beijing

   Forbidden City (accessible route)

   The Forbidden City has a designated accessible route with ramps bypassing the main steps. Wheelchairs are available to borrow at the main south entrance (Meridian Gate). The central axis is paved smooth. Book tickets online. Note: the main central halls require ramp access which is available but signed in Chinese — staff at the entrance can direct. Allow 2–3 hours for the main route.

   Attractions: forbidden-city

3. Day 3 · beijing

   Temple of Heaven (accessible), National Museum

   Temple of Heaven has smooth paved paths throughout the park and ramp access to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests — one of the more accessible major sites in Beijing. National Museum of China on Tiananmen Square has full lift access and is wheelchair-friendly throughout.

   Attractions: temple-of-heaven, national-art-museum-china

4. Day 4 · beijing

   Summer Palace (accessible lake route)

   Summer Palace has an accessible route along the Long Corridor and the lakeside promenade — flat and paved throughout. The garden sections with hills are optional. Electric boat on Kunming Lake is accessible (staff assist at the pier). The Marble Boat jetty area is fully flat.

   Attractions: summer-palace

5. Day 5 · shanghai

   HSR to Shanghai, French Concession

   HSR is fully accessible — ramp boarding is available at all G-class stations and staff assistance is provided on request. Beijing West to Shanghai Hongqiao (4h 30m). Hongqiao Station has comprehensive lift access throughout. French Concession streets are generally flat and paved; Wukang Road and Xinle Road are manageable by wheelchair.

   Attractions: french-concession

   Stay in: French Concession — flat streets, good international accessible hotel options.

   G-class HSR, fully accessible. Request assistance when booking.

6. Day 6 · shanghai

   The Bund, Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden

   The Bund waterfront promenade is fully flat and wide. Shanghai Museum has lift access throughout all floors. Yu Garden Old Town has some uneven paving in the narrow lanes — the main garden itself has smooth paths and is accessible. The bazaar area outside has wider paved lanes.

   Attractions: the-bund, shanghai-museum, yu-garden

7. Day 7 · shanghai

   Shanghai Natural History Museum, departure

   Shanghai Natural History Museum has excellent accessibility — full lift access, wide aisles, English labels throughout. Tianzifang's alleyways are narrow and have occasional steps at thresholds — not recommended for power wheelchairs but manageable for manual chairs in the main lanes. Transfer to PVG — the Maglev train is accessible and runs from Longyang Road metro station.

   Attractions: shanghai-natural-history-museum, jingan-temple

Budget guide (CNY per day)

Per person total 7 days including HSR (¥553). Accessible rooms in international hotels carry a modest premium. Wheelchair hire in Beijing ¥100/day from some hotels. International flights excluded.