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disabled traveller in shanghai

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jullieanne

Newbie

Joined: Nov 06, 2006
Posts: 1
Location: liverpool england
Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 06, 2006 - 04:27 PM
Post subject: disabled traveller in shanghai

Hello,
I am 52yrs old from Liverpool England and am planning a trip to China next year (March l9th for 2 weeks) - I will be travelling with my daughter Rebecca 21 who is confined to an electric wheelchair. We have booked into an accessible hostel in Beijing but would like to see as much as we can of China - its a once in a trip lifetime!
I hope its ok to ask on here - I am exhausted trailing the net for hours on end looking for information about how to get to Shanghai from Beijing (dont know whether the train is wheelchair accessible) and what we can do there, where to stay etc. that is suitable for Rebeccas chair...
Ideally we would like to get the train Beijing to Shanghai return and stay perhaps 2 nites there. We are having trouble finding accessible transport in Beijing - perhaps Shanghai is the same?
I really would appreciate any advice or comments as we are facing a brick wall, cant seem to sort this out at all.
We have travelled to Australia, Hong Kong and Thailand and managed to overcome the difficulties of disabled travel - especially in Thailand the people were so lovely and scooped Reb up in her chair and carried them over steps etc.!!! But I am worried and would feel better to have some info to go on... i t would be awful to be stuck in one area around the hostel where we are staying!!
Thanks so much everyone
regards
Julie and Rebecca
Liverpool England

Angie

LoopKicker

Joined: Feb 01, 2004
Posts: 848

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 06, 2006 - 04:35 PM

Hiya,
I guess the best would be to fly from Beijing to Shanghai. the train takes 10 hours or more; trains are normally overcrowded, toilets are disgusting and you might face the first challenge when trying to get Rebecca's wheelchair into the train! Also, train stations have plenty of stairs, and Chinese people (I hate to say this but it's absolutely true): they love to watch but they are not going to help you. I did some local travelling with a baby and even when I asked fellow-passengers they wouldn't lend me a hand. There are some exceptions - but 99.9% of the people will not help. So travelling by air would be the best (and even then you will find flight attendants, ground staff etc extremely unhelpful).
Good luck!
Angie

yu888
Board Deity

Joined: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 17500
Location: ZhongShanParkArea SH

Posted: Nov 06, 2006 - 05:53 PM

As much as I'd like to give you good news, i think it may be VERY challenging to travel in and around Shanghai without spending a larger budget on staffing yourself with help. I suppose you may already be used to the challenges, but there will be lots of issues here that make it even tougher, uneven pavement, unmarked steps, unhelpful and a gawking public on top of inaccessible spaces are just a begining of the challenges you may face. I have pushed my grandmother in a wheel chair around Shanghai and I can tell you if I were to arrange a trip, I would book an accessible van to take you into as many places as you can as close as you can. manuevering at a trainstation in China could be downright insane due to the sheer number of people there.

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rachel_milne

Barker

Joined: Oct 13, 2006
Posts: 170
Location: Wei Hai Road
Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 06, 2006 - 07:34 PM

Hi Julie,
I would take Angie and Yu's advice if I were you. My family and I moved to Shanghai from the UK a couple of months ago and I was shocked to find out that most places are NOT wheelchair/pram friendly at all. Pavements have pedestrians as well as motorbikes and bicycles so it would be very challenging for you. All the best.

Mon_Mon

Rocker

Joined: Oct 07, 2005
Posts: 661

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 06, 2006 - 07:58 PM

When I go out to parks etc. I sometimes see disabled people on wheelchair. However agreeing with others you may expect some difficulties on the road because transportation here is not that convenient. I think if money is affordable may be you can think of hire a short term driver (with a car) or book a taxi for a few days so that the driver can help to take care of you. I think compare to western countries I think the cost may not be that high though. This would enable you not just within the city but also to some of the nearby places.
For the tourist spots I think using wheel chair is ok as I saw slope paths in many places.
Just one more tip: sometimes they will offer discount entrance tickets to older or disabled people upon showing proof documents e.g. ID card. (I think not necessary to local people because when my parents in law came they also enjoy dist. tickets (but they are from HK)).

Regarding train I didn't take it before myself only but I know between BJ and SH there is a better train used mainly to cater for business travellers. Seems the quality and service would be better than ordinary trains (may be any person tried this train before?) The train schedule is overnight (1 night, arriving in the morning in both terminus) such that one can save 1 night's hotel cost.
Here's the link : http://www.shrail.com/inagesq/dfh/dh.htm
(unfornately I can only find the Chinese page, may be you could ask your travel agent for this Z13(BJ->SH)/Z14(SH->BJ) train. It is direct between SH & BJ and the page says the quality of people and train are very good and desinated many awards in China...)
Hope the info. is helpful...

janlynn
Wonder Wit

Joined: July 19, 2005
Posts: 3593

Posted: Nov 06, 2006 - 08:32 PM

I know from experience that it takes 2 big steps up to the train from shanghai to beijing. Dont know if other options are available. Most people with wheelchairs are more comfortable in the streets but that is not recommended. you probably could get a lower berth in the train and be able to wheel th echair in, but it is a 4 person berth, so it might get awkward for you. I agree flying would be better and a hotel rather than a hostel. most places I have been to for tourists are wheelchair friendly, but getting there would take a driver. Only certain subway stops are equipped for wheelchairs and couldnt get around by "foot", attractions are too far apart.

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Angie

LoopKicker

Joined: Feb 01, 2004
Posts: 848

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 06, 2006 - 09:22 PM

well, getting around town would only work by taxi/car. There's no way you could use the metro in Shanghai with a wheelchair! Certain metro stops might be equipped for wheelchair access but that doesn't help you if you can't squeeze into the train - there are too many people!

fox007

Ranter

Joined: Apr 06, 2005
Posts: 596
Location: Minhang, Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 06, 2006 - 10:23 PM

Completely agree with other comments.
As you mentioned you had a previous experiences in a trip to Hong kong. Do not assume that on this aspect (as many others) there are similar cities, there is just no comparison between Hong kong (which is a fairly well regulated city) and Shanghai (even you can see on TV nice buildings or maglev train is absolutely not). People behavior would be also totally different and driving situation here is a nightmare.
I do not know Australia but I have been often to Thailand and Thai people are known to be extremely nice, smiling and helpful which I believe it is true.

MIexpat

Reacher

Joined: July 30, 2004
Posts: 324
Location: dongbei
Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 06, 2006 - 10:23 PM

For National week we took the night train from Shanghai to Beijing (Z14) and that train had 2-person berths with private baths - they are 130-ish USD per berth- I assume they have similar accomodation on trains Beijing-->Shanghai

sadly China is not wheelchair friendly - the need to navigate stairs will be a constant inescapable factor as will the sheer volume of traffic on the sidewalks coupled with the cultural "Me factor" where it is perfectly okay to mow someone else down if it is to your benefit or to look the other way instead of lend a helping hand

don't lose heart with this news but do be very thorough with your venue research and realistic with your stamina/abilities

lots of luck!

damk

Newbie

Joined: Nov 07, 2006
Posts: 3

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 07, 2006 - 03:38 PM

Hi, my name is David and this is the first time I have been on a chat site. So forgive me if I brake some rules.
I maybe getting a position in Shanghai as a manager. I am handicapped. Not in a wheelchair but have a unque walk. I have lived everywhere in the US and most of Europe so I understand the differences. If you know could you tell me how this would effect my working relationship there.

shanghaiceltic

Board Royalty

Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 7370
Location: Perth WA
Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 07, 2006 - 04:07 PM

I recently severed my achilles tendon and on the flight back from Australia the airline (Singapore) were great as were the ground staff in Pudong, I was in a wheelchair at the time. You should make sure the travel agent/airline is aware of Rebecca's needs. I have seen people using wheelchairs getting assistance from the airline.

The railway stations and trains are not easy for wheeelchair users so I would agree with one of the posts above and not use the train. Lifts are few and inconveniently placed (if you can find them).

I am now on crutches and even then I find many buildings difficult to get into because of steps and no ramps.

Sorry to be negative but China has some way to go to get in tune with people with special needs.

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theAutumn45
Rocker
Rocker

Joined: Oct 28, 2005
Posts: 796

Posted: Nov 07, 2006 - 05:56 PM

My suggestion is to get a Travel Agency to make special arrangement for you. It may cost a little more, but it’ll well worth it. I recommend you to write to Chinese Consulate in your area and ask the consulate to find a good agency for you. Even better, if you could get your local MLA (what do you call your local elected representative?), contact the Chinese Consulate for you. That will really make these bureaucrats working!