Beijing for a slow walker who also has difficulty with steps?
Mar 22nd, 2004, 01:29 PM
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Beijing for a slow walker who also has difficulty with steps?
I have avoided going to China..Beijing and Hong Kong due to my difficulty with steps (weak legs). I would have my husband with me and my cane, both of which are very helpful and yet I have been so reluctant. We just returned from Rome and Sicily. At times this was also very difficult . So I guess my question is not are there steps and unlevel ground, but, in your opinion...how difficult are they? Have you seen other folks with problems manage these sites?
Thanks
June
Thanks
June
Mar 23rd, 2004, 01:48 PM
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We have recently returned from a holiday in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Guilin, and Yangshuo. I also have mobility difficulties and use a stick for walking, and have difficulty with steps. In Hong Kong after receiving advice from other travellers we decided to avoid the MTR, and for transportation we used mostly taxis which are very cheap and they are always available. We used the Star Ferry - lower deck no steps to access, upper deck quite a lot of steps, better seating and good view. We found everyone more than helpful, no reason to worry at all, at the temples there are steps, but if your husband can help (like mine did) you will manage. At the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island there are many steps, but you don't have to climb to the top to see the Buddha, the view is fine from the bottom - bring binoculars. Peak tram was also accessible, there is a step up on to the tram but it's not too high, and once at the peak there are just a few steps to Cafe Deco - and the amazing view from the restaurant makes it worth it! The train service from Kowloon to Guangzhou was also no problem. In Guilin we stayed at the Sheraton which had easy access to the tourist sites, again we used taxis, although we didn't visit all of the tourist sites as we were only there 24 hours. At some of the sites there were many many steps (Fubo Hill, Solitary Beauty Peak,) but enjoy the view, you don't have to climb the mountain! If you use taxis ask the hotel reception/bell boy to write down in Chinese where you want to go, and pick up the hotel card with the name in Chinese for your return. We had a great time!
Mar 23rd, 2004, 02:04 PM
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Dear Twotravel,
Thank you so much for your thorough and very helpful reply. Yes, my husband is a big help so that should help make this work. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip.
June
Thank you so much for your thorough and very helpful reply. Yes, my husband is a big help so that should help make this work. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip.
June
Mar 23rd, 2004, 08:41 PM
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I can't say about Beijing, but in Hong Kong, you'll find steps mostly in two situations (and sometimes the two are one).
1. MTR (the subway). There are always multiple escalators (plus one elevator that has to be operated by a staff) between the ticketing level and the train platforms. However, between the ticketing hall and the street, you'll find many entrances/exits without escalator or with escalators part way only.
You may have to find a different entrance/exit if you have difficulty with stairs. And in some of the older stations in Kowloon, some stations may not have that option. They are adding some in a few stations like Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok, but still, steps remain everywhere. For example, I can't remember a MTR entrance to the Jordan and Yau Ma Tei stations that doesn't require steps. Other stations are better, and in stations like Central or Causeway Bay, you should be able to find an entrance/exit connected to a shopping mall easily, so you can use the escalators there instead.
2. Some of the main avenues are blocked off in the median, so you have to cross them using footbridges or tunnels. Many of these do not have escalators. The alternative would be to walk a long way until you find a street crossing. One example is Nathan Road in Mongkok. They assume you'll use a tunnel or the entrances to the MTR for crossing that street, but that mean steps. And in some extreme cases, you cannot even cross the street even if you are willing to walk the extra distance. For example, if you get off the Tramway on Queensway, and want to get to the Admiralty Center or Pacific Place, you MUST walk a long flight of stairs.
1. MTR (the subway). There are always multiple escalators (plus one elevator that has to be operated by a staff) between the ticketing level and the train platforms. However, between the ticketing hall and the street, you'll find many entrances/exits without escalator or with escalators part way only.
You may have to find a different entrance/exit if you have difficulty with stairs. And in some of the older stations in Kowloon, some stations may not have that option. They are adding some in a few stations like Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok, but still, steps remain everywhere. For example, I can't remember a MTR entrance to the Jordan and Yau Ma Tei stations that doesn't require steps. Other stations are better, and in stations like Central or Causeway Bay, you should be able to find an entrance/exit connected to a shopping mall easily, so you can use the escalators there instead.
2. Some of the main avenues are blocked off in the median, so you have to cross them using footbridges or tunnels. Many of these do not have escalators. The alternative would be to walk a long way until you find a street crossing. One example is Nathan Road in Mongkok. They assume you'll use a tunnel or the entrances to the MTR for crossing that street, but that mean steps. And in some extreme cases, you cannot even cross the street even if you are willing to walk the extra distance. For example, if you get off the Tramway on Queensway, and want to get to the Admiralty Center or Pacific Place, you MUST walk a long flight of stairs.
Mar 23rd, 2004, 10:48 PM
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I think rkkwan has explained perfectly the reason we decided to use taxis, especially if going to the Ladies Market or Temple St.Market, we decided not to risk encountering steps in the MTR, Nathan Road is a very long way to walk, we just did what I could manage then caught a taxi. Buses are also easy to use with the Octopus pass I did see some that displayed the wheelchair symbol on the back so presumably they had ramps or lowered to kerb, but we didn't use them. Hope you have a good time, really I just took the advice of other travellers - just do what you would do normally in any other country.
Mar 24th, 2004, 10:40 AM
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There three main areas where hotels are located in Hong Kong. On HK Island, there's Central where there are many higher-end hotels around the "downtown" area. But it's dead at night. There's also Causeway Bay (and nearby Wan Chai), also on HK Island with many shops and restaurants.
But I think the best for a tourist is the Tsim Sha Tsui district in Kowloon. Many hotels there, ranging from some of the best in the world, to a classy YMCA, to many tourist-class hotels. Restaurants and shops everywhere. Some hotels have harborview rooms that give you a super view of HK Island. You can take buses or taxis to the Temple Street market or Ladie's market for a few US Dollars. You can take the Star Ferry across to Central and go anywhere you want by taxis, buses, trams, peak trams, etc... There's a reason why there are so many hotels there.
But I think the best for a tourist is the Tsim Sha Tsui district in Kowloon. Many hotels there, ranging from some of the best in the world, to a classy YMCA, to many tourist-class hotels. Restaurants and shops everywhere. Some hotels have harborview rooms that give you a super view of HK Island. You can take buses or taxis to the Temple Street market or Ladie's market for a few US Dollars. You can take the Star Ferry across to Central and go anywhere you want by taxis, buses, trams, peak trams, etc... There's a reason why there are so many hotels there.
Mar 24th, 2004, 11:15 AM
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From what I have already read and you confirmed, that Tsim Tsa Shui sounds like a very good place to stay, especially for a first time visitor. Any suggestions regarding number of days to plan on staying in Hong Kong? How about side trips from Hong Kong?
Mar 24th, 2004, 02:15 PM
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JuneAnn - There aren't that many "must-see" sights in Hong Kong. The best can be covered in a day. Most people enjoy the food, shopping, stroll around, etc... And you can also go to the Po Lin Monastery and see the big buddha, which is a 3/4 day trip on its own. So, if you're not really big on shopping (which can take forever!), I'd say 3 full day is pretty good. Or even just 2.5. A lot of places can be visited (or even BETTER visited) at night - more beautiful, cooler, more exciting...
Side trips from Hong Kong. I'd highly recommend an overnight trip to Macau, the old Portugese Colony about 40 miles from HK. While it has also been reverted to Chinese rule (in 1999), you don't need a visa to visit, just like HK. Fast jetfoils or catamarans from HK take about an hour (US$15 each way), and hotels are cheap. Many nice little churches, museums, casinos, etc... and Portugese food. You can do a day-trip, but I highly recommend staying there overnight.
If you're going to Beijing already, there's really not a big reason to go to China from Hong Kong, as you'll also need to get another visa. Most people from HK cross the border to get cheap goods, including pirated DVDs/VCDs. I'd not recommend it.
Side trips from Hong Kong. I'd highly recommend an overnight trip to Macau, the old Portugese Colony about 40 miles from HK. While it has also been reverted to Chinese rule (in 1999), you don't need a visa to visit, just like HK. Fast jetfoils or catamarans from HK take about an hour (US$15 each way), and hotels are cheap. Many nice little churches, museums, casinos, etc... and Portugese food. You can do a day-trip, but I highly recommend staying there overnight.
If you're going to Beijing already, there's really not a big reason to go to China from Hong Kong, as you'll also need to get another visa. Most people from HK cross the border to get cheap goods, including pirated DVDs/VCDs. I'd not recommend it.
Mar 24th, 2004, 02:47 PM
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Well, shopping and dining sound just great for a few really good days. We will be flying into HK, spending those few days and then we have to make some decisions as to where to go for about a week...Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo (we can stop there on our flight home)...so many wonderful choices.
Mar 24th, 2004, 10:33 PM
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June Ann, we stayed 4 nights at the beginning of our trip and 3 nights at the end. Because of mobility difficulty you have to plan this into your timetable, if like me things take longer to achieve or are done at a slower pace. The first time we stayed Kowloon side, for the view fantastic! Stayed at New World Renaissance Club Floor, close to Star Ferry, Penninsular, and TST, easy access to markets. If we went to Hong Kong Island we always used the Star Ferry to central. Second time stayed at The Excelsior, Causeway Bay, good location for nightlife, restaurants, shopping, had Harbour View room on Club Floor- very good but busy hotel. Superb restaurant on top floor TOTT's - food was great. Service was exemplary in hotel.
Mar 25th, 2004, 06:47 AM
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Sorry should have explained better, the view of Hong Kong Island from Kowloon is better than vice versa, but the New World Renaissance does not have a view, although from the Club Lounge we were able to see the laser and fireworks display in February, but the view of Hong Kong Island from the Promenade area near the Art and Cultural Centre, and the walk to the Star Ferry was superb. Hope you have a great time.
Apr 6th, 2004, 02:07 PM
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June,
We just returned from Beijing after touring with my daughter who has JRA, she can walk but limited distance so we took a "portable" wheelchair with lighter weight, fold down handles and small back wheels to allow fitting into the small trunks of Beijing taxis.
It was both a blesisng and a hassle, stairs are everywhere and few elevators, except the hotels.
In Tianamen square it was great, but at the forbidden city it was a non stop series of push, fold, carry, push, etc. The small wheels did hold up well to the stress of the stones on our 7 day trip, though, and it fit the back of most but not all taxis.
Watch out for those with the LP gas tank in the trunk you don't discover until you open the trunk.
The temple of heaven and summer palace were a little better with some ramps.
You can see the chair we chose (we had the stroller also, same issues) at http://www.thebowles.com/beijing/DSCF0002.jpg
We chose our great wall experience for her climbing but decided to forgo the chair after viewing photos of the steep and somewhat rough walkway up to the chair lift, we went to Mutianyu. The wall itself of course has many steps. Mutianyu turned out to be a good choice, we didn't explore too much of the wall but still had a great view, a good time and the kids enjoyed the toboggan ride down.
The elevators at the hotel, Best Western were great and fast although the Sino-Swiss hotel at the Beijing Airport has weird and IMO dangerous elevators, super fast to close with dubious spring back, not recommended.
I has exactly the same questions as to how difficult and for her with her level of difficulty the answer was quite manageable and rewarding.
The Pearl Market, BTW, one of our favorites does have a small elevator which works fine between the four, packed and fascinating shopping floors.
We took go-today.com and it worked out nicely, the local CTS tour bus went out of their way to accomodate us and the wheelchair (as well as stroller, carseat, mounds of luggage)
The infant carseat wasn't much use, most taxis have no room for it and our United flights were uniformly 100% full with no seat available, a throwback to an earlier, somewhat more dangerous age of babies on laps.
Wally
We just returned from Beijing after touring with my daughter who has JRA, she can walk but limited distance so we took a "portable" wheelchair with lighter weight, fold down handles and small back wheels to allow fitting into the small trunks of Beijing taxis.
It was both a blesisng and a hassle, stairs are everywhere and few elevators, except the hotels.
In Tianamen square it was great, but at the forbidden city it was a non stop series of push, fold, carry, push, etc. The small wheels did hold up well to the stress of the stones on our 7 day trip, though, and it fit the back of most but not all taxis.
Watch out for those with the LP gas tank in the trunk you don't discover until you open the trunk.
The temple of heaven and summer palace were a little better with some ramps.
You can see the chair we chose (we had the stroller also, same issues) at http://www.thebowles.com/beijing/DSCF0002.jpg
We chose our great wall experience for her climbing but decided to forgo the chair after viewing photos of the steep and somewhat rough walkway up to the chair lift, we went to Mutianyu. The wall itself of course has many steps. Mutianyu turned out to be a good choice, we didn't explore too much of the wall but still had a great view, a good time and the kids enjoyed the toboggan ride down.
The elevators at the hotel, Best Western were great and fast although the Sino-Swiss hotel at the Beijing Airport has weird and IMO dangerous elevators, super fast to close with dubious spring back, not recommended.
I has exactly the same questions as to how difficult and for her with her level of difficulty the answer was quite manageable and rewarding.
The Pearl Market, BTW, one of our favorites does have a small elevator which works fine between the four, packed and fascinating shopping floors.
We took go-today.com and it worked out nicely, the local CTS tour bus went out of their way to accomodate us and the wheelchair (as well as stroller, carseat, mounds of luggage)
The infant carseat wasn't much use, most taxis have no room for it and our United flights were uniformly 100% full with no seat available, a throwback to an earlier, somewhat more dangerous age of babies on laps.
Wally
Apr 6th, 2004, 05:37 PM
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Wally, it sounds like you all had a wonderful experience. I guess that the answer is to just go...do & see whatever you can..just don't give up and sit at home. I looked at your site and saw the chair. I am waiting for a folding "travel chair" to arrive. I am getting a few days to try it out with my husband. It also has small wheels and folds like a stroller.
Thanks for your great post.
Thanks for your great post.
