Beijing cafe fosters inclusive space for people with disabilities

Tucked away in Beijing's Qianmen Hutong is Naga Tree, a cafe that has been open for a year and has become a spiritual refuge for people with disabilities.

Founded by Ren Jiayi, an entrepreneur with disabilities who has double titanium hip replacements due to ankylosing spondylitis, the cafe is China's first inclusive space that integrates social enterprise with public welfare, according to Xinhua News Agency.

According to Ren, the cafe is designed as a social venue where wheelchair users, individuals who are visually or hearing-impaired, and others can "express themselves freely and confidently".

It sustains its 756-square-meter space through diverse revenue streams, including venue rentals, brand collaborations, and the sales of coffee-related products.

Beyond conventional facilities like ramps and adjustable tables, its restrooms are equipped with automatic doors, transfer boards, and an anti-fainting system—the door opens automatically if no movement is detected within 25 minutes.

"Accessibility isn't just about meeting government standards," Ren said. "It's about responding to the real needs of people with disabilities."

Naga Tree doubles as a social classroom for the disability community. Blind visitors come with guide dogs to enjoy music and borrow braille books, and wheelchair users mingle freely and share their lives in a barrier-free setting.

A regular visitor described it as "more than just a cafe", saying it "has become a transitional space where we regain confidence and reintegrate into society".

Xu Yanchun, an accessibility supervisor in Beijing, said: "Naga Tree is more meticulous compared to other disability-friendly public spaces. They employ people with disabilities, providing them with opportunities for work and social interaction."

"When small businesses like this succeed, they become role models, inspiring many others to follow suit," Xu added. "This in turn creates more opportunities and spaces for people with disabilities to work and join social activities within society."