To provide a level difference ascending/descending device capable of smoothly ascending/descending the level difference of stairs or the like in spite of an inexpensive and simple structure, and an electric wheelchair of high mobility combining a function of surely and stably ascending/descending the stairs without a caregiver by using the level difference ascending/descending device, and a function of smoothly traveling the flat ground surface by easily passing a protrusion, a ditch, or the like existing on the flat ground surface, in a state of crossing over it.

The level difference ascending/descending device includes a lateral pair of turning arms (10) each including traveling wheels (11) mounted to the end parts of a plurality of mounting arm pieces (10a) radially extending at equal spaces from the center part and having the same length; turning arm turning gears (12) and turning drive sources (13) for turning the respective turning arms (10); and rotating drive sources (17) for rotating the traveling wheels (11). The electric wheelchair is constituted by arranging the level difference ascending/descending device used as a main mechanism (8), and an auxiliary mechanism (9) constituted by simplifying the level difference ascending/descending device, in front and in the rear.