Forbidden city is now acesible for the disabled

Disabled tourists now have better access to Beijing's famous Forbidden City following extensive renovations. New facilities were opened yesterday, to mark National Help-the-disabled Day.

"This is an excellent example of how Beijing and China intends to advance accessibility for all people in the years to come," said Sir Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

"Chinese people are making unbelievable efforts in Sichuan to relieve the suffering caused by the earthquake disaster. Paralympians from all over the world are with you, with all of the Chinese people."

The Forbidden City has numerous stone steps and thresholds, which are distinguishing features of traditional Chinese architecture, but had restricted access for disabled people.

The famous landmark now has three barrier-free tourist routes covering the main scenic spots. About 1,000 m long, the main route runs from Wumen (Meridian Gate) in the south to Shenwumen (Gate of Spiritual Valor) in the north.

With the help of the newly installed elevators, wheelchair-bound people can ascend Wumen Tower avoiding nearly 100 steps. At Taihedian, Zhonghedian and Baohedian, wheelchair stair lifts are available to help people with physical disabilities climb the stairs.

"The barrier-free facilities and the ancient architecture in the Forbidden City complement each other, which embodies the concept of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games - Transcendence, Equality and Integration," said Li Ji, vice-director of the Forbidden City.

China's golden girl of the torch relay, Jin Jing, who was attacked by protestors in Paris but refused to let go of the sacred flame, also praised the new facilities.

"I'm really looking forward to experiencing a barrier-free Forbidden City, and today is my first time to visit here," she told China Daily while walking with her crutch on Wumen Square.

All this is made out of humanity because people should be considered equal and should not be excluded out of any activity.

Short facts about China

- China has 1.3 billion people, a little over 20 percent of the world’s population.

- The Chinese New Year is the first day of the lunar calendar based on the cycles of the moon. The date varies from year to year but typically falls in January or February.

- The twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig, with each year represented by one of the animals. A full Chinese zodiac is twelve years. A complete calendar cycle is sixty years.

- The money used in China is called renminbi, meaning the people’s currency. The basic unit is the yuan.

- The Great Wall can be seen by the human eye from outer space.

- Giant pandas are a national treasure in China. There areabout 1,600 pandas living in the wild today.

- The compass, paper, gunpowder and printing are called the Four Greatest Ancient Chinese Inventions. Other Chinese inventions include fireworks and ice cream.

- China is the homeland of tea, and its cultivation dates back two thousand years.

- Mount Qomolangma (also known as Mount Everest), the highest point in the world, is located
between China and Nepal.

- In China, a person’s family name comes first, followed by the first name. There is no middle name.

- The three most popular Chinese family names are Li, Zhang, and Wang.

- In ancient China, Chinese characters were written on animal bones, turtle shells, silk, or bamboo slices.

The Forbidden City-Beijing-China

The magnificent Forbidden City,so named because it was off limits to commoners for 500 years,was the imperial court for twenty-four emperors from the early days of the Ming dynasty in the 15th century until the fall of the Quing dynasty in 1911.It is the largest,most complete,and best preserved cluster of ancient buildings in China,representing the work of battalions of laborers.Fires and lootings over the years have left a largely post 18th-century shell that mimics its original layout,and much of its storied wealth and opulent furnishings are long gone.Nonetheless,this vast complex of halls,pavilions,courtyards,and wall in a masterwork of architectural balance,monumental but never oppressive.A self guiding tape narrated by Roger Moore helps bring it alive,with tales of eunuchs,concubines,ministers,priests,court intrigues,and terrific excesses.Occupying more then 183 acres,the expensive complex earns the title of "city".It was not unusual for emperors and servants alike never to venture beyond the moat-surrounded 35-foot wall and formidable gates-ever.That they believed themselves to be at the cosmic centre of the universe is a fantasy visitors can readily appreciate today.
Where:also called the Imperial Palace(Gugong) or the Palace Museum,the Forbidden City is adjacent to Tiananmen Square,at the center of the city.
Best times:May to mid-June and late August to early November