How to Use the Subway in China with a Wheelchair

You’ve heard China is becoming increasingly accessible for seniors with limited walking, disabled travelers and wheelchair users, but can wheelchair users use subways in China?

Wheelchair lifts, stair climbers, low-positioned ticket windows, and "one-click call" buttons for booking accessible services... Beijing Metro's accessible facilities have been in operation for several years. But are these facilities truly convenient for disabled tourists? Are metros in other Chinese cities wheelchair friendly?

This article explains in detail how to use a wheelchair in China's metros, helping you overcome accessibility challenges and making your trip to China both accessible and enjoyable.

Accessibility of China Metro Systems

In 2019, China's "Urban Rail Transit Passenger Organization and Service Management Measures" stipulated that "staff at urban subway stations should provide barrier-free travel services for passengers in need". However, as the national level has not yet made specific regulations on the content and requirements of subway barrier-free services, the content of barrier-free services provided by various urban subway systems varies significantly.

Therefore, in 2024, the Ministry of Transport of China initiated the formulation of the national "Standards for Barrier-Free Operation and Service of Urban Rail Transit".

The Service Targets Three Types of Disabled People:

Visually impaired individuals who need to be provided with braille sign guidance and manual voice prompt services
For hearing and speech-impaired individuals, the subway should be equipped with electronic displays, writing boards, and other written communication tools
Wheelchair users: It is required that stations set up priority usage signs for barrier-free elevators and mark fixed areas for wheelchair placement in the carriages.

The Wheelchair Facilities in Chinese Subway Should Primarily Include:

However, please note this has not yet been achieved in all Chinese cities.

The configuration of wheelchair facilities in Chinese subway systems should primarily include the following:

An accessible elevator must be installed from the platform level to the station hall level.

The width of the entrance and exit gates should be no less than 900 millimeters.

Wheelchair fixing belts and anti-slip devices should be installed in the train carriages.

Continuous blind paths within the station should extend to the entrance of the accessible elevator.

An accessible boarding ramp service for wheelchair users to bridge the gap and board the train (a reservation is required). This service is available in all subway stations in Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian, and Hangzhou, and the majority of

In case of an inaccessible elevator failure, a backup guiding plan should be activated within 15 minutes.

And, designated cars and accessible restrooms.

Passenger Service for Wheelchair Users

The services should be provided for wheelchair passengers during their trips, including entering and exiting stations, purchasing and checking tickets, waiting for the train, and getting on and off the train. Service staff should guide the passengers to use accessible facilities, such as using accessible elevators for entering and exiting stations, using wide passage ticket gates or side gates for ticket checking, waiting in accessible waiting areas, using wheelchair boarding ramp for getting on and off the train, and using wheelchair fixation devices in the train compartments.

Wheelchair passengers need to be assisted by two staff members when getting on and off the train.

Special security check channels should be provided for guide dogs entering and exiting the station.

A 24-hour complaint handling channel for accessible services, and the response time for complaint handling should not exceed 2 working days.

Note: For elderly passengers or those with mobility issues, the subway station staff should inform them in advance about the availability of the accessible elevators, or during the security check, if necessary, remove the passengers' walking sticks or other assistive devices. >> Check A Complete China Travel Guide to for Senior Citizens

By 2025, all major cities in China will have achieved 100% coverage of accessible facilities in their metros. However, further optimization of details is still ongoing. For instance, more metro stations need to install accessible ramps in the gaps between the platform and the train; accessible restrooms should be equipped with emergency call devices, allowing for direct connection to the control room with just one press of a button, ensuring more timely response in case of emergencies. The improvement of more accessible facilities is expected to make every step of wheelchair users safer and more convenient.

Best Cities in China for Accessible Metros

These wheelchair-friendly travel destinations in China provide accessible metros for wheelchair users, along with top must-see attractions and authentic cultural getaways.

Beijing metro accessible facilities

Beijing Subway Accessibility

Beijing Metro is committed to providing comprehensive services for those with accessibility needs.

Elevators are generally available in stations to facilitate the movement of people with mobility impairments.

109 wheelchair lifts and 52 stair climbers are provided, and additional ones can be added based on actual circumstances.

Moreover, some newly-built ticket offices have low-height windows to facilitate smooth communication between wheelchair users and ticket sellers. The prompts and phones at station entrances provide convenient travel guides for special passengers.

In addition, all Beijing Metro stations provide ramps for passengers in wheelchairs to board and disembark from trains.

Wheelchair spaces are set up in train carriages, and wheelchair area signs and seat belts are provided to ensure the safety of wheelchair users during the journey.

Also, the wheelchair ramps equipped at the most stations enable passengers to quickly and smoothly enter and exit the train carriages with the help of staff.

If You Need Assistance

During your journey on Beijing Metro, you can contact the relevant departments of Beijing Metro in four ways.
You can directly contact the staff at the station.
The platforms, ticket offices and automatic ticket vending machines in the stations are equipped with call buttons. Just press one button and the station staff will answer and assist you.
Call the Beijing Metro service hotline (+86) 96165.
The WeChat mini-program "Beijing Metro Service" provides appointment travel services for pregnant women, people with accessibility needs, and those with mobility impairments.

How to take the subway to the main attractions in Beijing:

The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square: Take Line 1 to Tiananmen East Station / Tiananmen West Station

The Summer Palace: Take Line 4 / Xijiao Line, exit at Beigongmen / Xiyuan / Yuhuan Park West Gate

Tiananmen Square Park: Take Line 5, reach Tiananmen East Gate Station

The Lhama Temple: Take Line 2 and Line 5 at Yonghegong Station

Shanghai Metro Wheelchair Access

Take a tour in Shanghai, you’ll find accessible facilities available in every subway station.

By the end of 2023, 308 toilets in all subway stations had been renovated, suitable for wheelchair users. Automatic escalators and accessible elevators have been fully installed in all lines.

Shanghai subway stations adopt various guiding accessibility facilities such as hanging signs, floor maps, information strips, station nameplates, and service information. In 2023, the positioning of entrance signs for 40 transfer stations was optimized. For 21 stations in the network where the accessible elevators are located in concealed places such as shopping malls or other buildings, in April 2024, the sign optimization and continuous guidance addition work were completed, enabling passengers to easily find the location of accessibility facilities.

By 2026, in order to make it more convenient for passengers to use wheelchairs or strollers, Shanghai Metro has equipped accessible boarding ramps in all of its stations.

Three Ways to Book the Accessible Ramps:

Call the metro service hotline (+86) 64370000 to apply.
Call the reservation number of the metro station.
After arriving at the metro station, you can directly ask the staff for your usage request.

After the reservation is successful, the station staff will accompany the passengers throughout the process to ensure a safe boarding.

How to take the subway to the main attractions in Shanghai:

The Bund and Nanjing Road: Take Line 2 or Line 10, and get off at Nanjing East Road Station

Yuyuan Garden and Chenghuang Temple: Take Line 10 or Line 14, and reach Yuyuan Station directly

Shanghai Disney Resort: Take Line 11, and reach Disney Station directly

Shanghai Museum: Close to People's Square Station, accessible by Line 1, Line 2, and Line 8

Lujiazui (Oriental Pearl Tower): Take Line 2 and get off at Lujiazui Station

Xintiandi: Close to the First National Congress Site · Xintiandi Station, accessible by Line 10 and Line 13

Chengdu Metro Accessibility

Plan a tour to China to see giant pandas in Chengdu? Chengdu’s blend of laid-back lifestyle and accessible subway makes it a hit for seniors and wheelchair users.

Chengdu metro accessible facilities

All stations of the Chengdu metro network are equipped with barrier-free elevators or wheelchair traction machines.

The barrier-free elevators are equipped with Braille buttons and emergency communication devices.

The accessible restrooms in the stations are spacious, ensuring that wheelchairs can rotate freely. There are sturdy safety handrails beside the toilets and washbasins.

There are also emergency call buttons, and in case of emergencies, the staff will respond immediately.

All metro stations in Chengdu are equipped with barrier-free boarding platforms.

The trains are equipped with wheelchair fixers, along with special handrails and fixing clips. Passengers can find the corresponding doors through the barrier-free signs on the platform doors.

You can call the service hotline (+86) 028-61638000, or make an online reservation for barrier-free services through the WeChat mini-program "Chengdu Metro Ride Code" or the official account "Chengdu Metro Operation". You can also contact the station staff to make an on-site reservation.

How to take the subway to the main attractions in Chengdu:

Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base: Close to Jundian General Hospital Station, accessible by Line 3

Chunxi Road, Taigu Li, IFS: Take Line 2 or Line 3, get off at Chunxi Road Station

Kuanzhai Alley: Take Line 4 at Kuan Diao Xiang Station

Wuhou Shrine, Jinli Ancient Street: Close to Gao Sheng Bridge and Wuhou Shrine, accessible by transferring from Line 3 to Line 10 / Line 10

Guangzhou Metro Accessibility

In 1999, the first subway line of Guangzhou Metro, Line 1, was opened. Due to the lack of space for vertical elevators and accessible toilets in that year, subsequent land became increasingly precious, and renovations could only be carried out in a piecemeal manner. Nowadays, there are no toilets along the entire Line 1, and some stations even lack elevators, and can only rely on "stair lift" for temporary assistance. The good news is: New lines are almost fully equipped with accessible facilities.

Some subway lines have hardware that is not up to standard, so services are used to make up for it. Wheelchair passengers can make an appointment in advance through Guangzhou Metro APP or WeChat official account for "love relay", and there will be dedicated personnel to guide them from the entrance to the platform door.

A quick overview of accessible facilities in Guangzhou Metro stations:

Accessible entrances and exits: Most stations have 1, and large stations like Yuexiu Park have 2-3\

Elevators/escalators: Both ends of the station hall and platform are equipped, and the buttons will respond immediately upon pressing

Wide gates: Close to the vertical elevator, you can pass through by swiping your card or scanning a codeHelp button: When you can't find staff, you can call by pressing the button at the front or rear of the train

Wheelchair-specific seats: Only some models are equipped, and making an advance reservation is more reliable

Accessible restrooms: The number is limited, and the location of restrooms can be checked in real time through the APP

Is there an accessible boarding ramp? Only some stations have it.

How to take the subway to the main attractions in Guangzhou:

Guangzhou Tower: Take Line 3/APM directly to Guangzhou Tower

Shamian Island: Close to Huangsha Station, accessible by Line 1 and Line 6

Chen Clan Temple: Take Line 1 or Line 8 to Chenjiaxi Station

>> Recommended 3 day Guangzhou Tour for seniors

Hangzhou Metro Accessibility

Since July 2020, the Hangzhou Metro has optimized the design of various accessibility facilities in both existing and newly-built lines.

Except for a few special stations, the Hangzhou Metro has installed wheelchair ramps at all stations of the newly-built lines. New lines have also added low-level service facilities, including low-level service windows uniformly equipped in the customer service centers, with a height of 850mm, a depth of 450mm, and a 1.5-meter turning diameter. New lines have also added accessible toilets, with electric sliding doors and sloping mirrors.

Moreover, all subway stations in Hangzhou provide accessible boarding platforms services.

Hangzhou Metro Hotline: (+86) 0571-96600.

How to take the subway to the main attractions in Hangzhou:

West Lake: Take Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station

Qinghefang Historical District: Take Line 7 to Wushan Square Station

China Tea Museum: Close to Huanglongdong Station, accessible by Line 3

Xian Metro Accessibility

The Xi'an subway has provided accessibility facilities at all stations. All stations are equipped with accessible elevators, and some stations have accessible moving platforms. In addition, there are designated carriages, accessible elevators, restrooms, ramps, and emergency alarm buttons. Although your accessible tour of Xi'an will not allow you to take the subway to the Terracotta Warriors Museum (because there is no direct subway line), you can still travel conveniently within the city.

How to take the subway to the main attractions in Xian:

Drum Tower, Bell Tower, Muslim Quarter : Take Line 2 and get off at Zhonglou Station

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang Dynasty Never Night City: Take Line 3 or Line 4 and get off at Dàyántai Station

Shaanxi History Museum: Close to Xiaozhai Station, accessible by Line 2 or Line 3

Xi'an City Wall (Yongningmen) : Take Line 2 and get off at Yongningmen Station

Essential Tips for Wheelchair Users on the Subway

Thanks to the metro's accessible facilities, reservation service, and assistance from subway staff, elderly people with mobility issues and wheelchair users can easily use wheelchairs to take the metro in major first-tier cities easily. Here are a few more tips and precautions for disabled travelers on China's subways:

No matter which city you go to, make sure to check the accessibility information of the subway in advance.

You need to make an appointment for the accessibility services at each subway station, but can't speak Chinese? Please contact our travel experts.

Avoid the morning and evening peak hours on weekdays, that is, from 7:00 to 9:00 and 17:00 to 19:00 from Monday to Friday. Due to the need for certain space for setting up the accessible ramp, if the subway is crowed, you will have to wait for the next train.

There is still a certain gap between China's accessibility facilities and those of developed countries. Further improvement is still needed, but they are indeed constantly being enhanced.

>> Further reading: Tips For Specially-Abled Seniors To Travel To China

Plan an Accessible China Tour With ETC

Thinking of a memorable holiday in China using your wheelchair? At Easy Tour China, we have been delivering escorted and accessible China tour packages for disable travelers for over a decade. Starting from disability awareness training, we try to customize your journey, ensuring the right balance of safety, culture and accessible experiences. Apart from assisting you to use wheelchairs on China's metro, we can also arrange private adaptive vehicles in big cities.Get inspired by our private guided China tours for disabled:

7 Days Accessible China Holiday for the Handicapped

12 Days Worry-free China Highlight Tour for the Disabled

Is China Metro Wheelchair Accessible? A Complete Guide

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