Raiding and plundering are not the intentions of tourists, but for those with mobility problems the Great Wall is still magnificently inaccessible. Put simply, for full-time wheelchair users there is no easy way to the top, and even people who can walk with difficulty will find it a challenging experience. Zoe Macfarlane has this to say:

"I used to be a tour leader for Travel Indochina and I once took a disabled client (who had a severe limp) to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. It was a difficult process and very tiring for him but he was a very determined man. At the top of the wall he took some time out to enjoy his picnic lunch and even walked one section (approx 0.5km). He had about two hours from start to finish and he did not regret any of his time there. My advice for any disabled traveller is to take this into account, then decide if you have the commitment to struggle a little (either by being carried, being slow or the walk being arduous), and then to go for it!"

The most approachable sections of the wall are at Badaling and Mutianyu. This is not only because there are cable cars at these sites, but also because they are relatively close to Beijing.

At Badaling there is a relatively flat surface to reach the cable car. It would need to be stopped briefly to give time to enter and although it is quite small there is room for a wheelchair to be collapsed down and placed inside. The language abilities of the staff here are limited, so a local guide is extremely helpful. At the top of the cable car journey there are steps up on to the wall, making it only really feasible if you can walk slightly or don't mind being carried. From this point, however, it is still possible to enjoy a picnic lunch amidst spectacular scenery.

At Mutianyu, there is a cobbled street with a very steep incline between the car park and the cable car. Once at the cable car (if you are carried there) it is possible to do as at Badaling, but again, at the top there are steps to navigate and then an uneven resting area for photos. It is not possible to get right on to the wall here.

Public transport in China is, in general, not accessible by design, and practically no English is spoken. So, unless you are able to jostle your way (quickly!) up steps and into buses and trains, then taxi or tour operator may be your only options. Private taxis and minivans can be ordered or hired through your hotel reception, and although language could again be a problem, drivers are normally friendly. To avoid confusion later, agree a fixed price for your trip in advance, and don't forget to take into account the extra time necessary for all the manhandling at the wall.

Accommodation - No budget hostels and only a few mid-range and luxury hotels in Beijing have rooms that are accessible. These establishments need to be contacted in advance with details of specific requirements, and even then improvisation may still be necessary.
State-run Chinese hospitals are of a poor standard, but there are a number of international standard clinics around the capital. International SOS is one, and they can be contacted at International SOS, Building C, BITIC Leasing Centre, 1 Bei Lu, Xingfu San Cun, Chaoyang District, Beijing. Tel: 010 6462 9112, emergency number 010 6462 9100.

Operators
Access Travel
Room 2306, Section B, Building 3, Xuan-tequ,
Chaoyang District, Beijing China, 100025
Tel: 86-10-52002360; fax: 86-10-52002360; e-mail: info@access-travel.cn; web: www.access-travel.cn