PASSPORT & VISA

You need both a current passport (at least six months of remaining validity) and a visa to visit mainland China, unless you are a Chinese citizen or have permanent residence status in China.

You may apply for a visa at the Chinese Embassy or at the nearest consulate general. Alternatively, many travel agencies will assist you with the application and some can submit it on your behalf. For detailed information, please contact your local embassy, consulate, or travel agency.

We recommend that you apply for a business visa, instead of a tourist visa, the conference organizer can issue an official invitation letter to you. To pursue this option:

(1)  Complete the Online Conference Registration Form;

(2)  Complete the Visa Invitation Letter Application Form;

(3)  Scan the passport information page;

(4)  Email the completed application form and scanned passport page to: cfrc@pbcsf.tsinghua.edu.cn .

We advise that you complete all forms before June 10, 2017, since it takes 5-10 days to issue an official invitation letter for a business visa application.

WEATHER

July and August are the hottest months in Beijing. The highest temperature in July can reach 37 °C (99 °F) and the lowest temperature is 21 °C (70 °F). It's shorts and t-shirts weather all the time with even night-time temperatures. You may wish to bring an umbrella or borrow one from your hotel as July has an average 185mm (7 inches) of rainfall, which often comes in thunderstorms.

INSURANCE 

To protect yourself and your personal belongings while you are traveling in China, please be sure that your insurance coverage is adequate for your journey. You may wish to contact your current insurer and purchase additional medical and travel insurance. As a side benefit, many credit cards also provide some built-in insurance coverage (please check terms and conditions before booking your trip).

ELECTRCITY 

Electricity is supplied at 220V, 50Hz in China. Dual-voltage electronics can be used without a problem. However, if you have 120V electronics, please be sure to bring a voltage converter or use the 120V outlet in your hotel room (if available). In addition, the electrical outlet configuration will be different from many other countries - please be sure to bring an international plug adapter. Your hotel may have some available at the front desk, if you forget.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE

Before your trip, we recommend that you inform your bank and credit card companies that you will be traveling overseas (listing each country and duration) and verify that you have a working PIN for each card. In China, RMB is the only accepted currency. To receive the most favorable exchange rate, we recommend that you obtain any needed cash from an airport ATM upon arrival, and at any ATM located in a major bank in Beijing.

Alternatively, exchange centers can be found at airports, most hotels, and in large shopping centers. The exchange rate is about US$ 1 = RMB 6.77 (updated to Nov 1, 2016, and a significant fee will also be incurred). When exchanging money, please keep your receipt by which you can change any remaining RMB back to foreign currency when leaving China. Visa and Master Card are accepted in many department stores and hotels. 

The Bank of China and most hotels will cash traveler’s checks issued by any major foreign bank or financial institution (for which you must show a passport and pay a 0.75 percent commission). Traveler’s checks signed over to a third party cannot be cashed in China, but can be presented for collection through the Bank of China.

All on-site conference payments can be paid by the above mentioned credit cards, however, traveler's checks are not acceptable.

RECONFIRMATION OF AIR TICKET

Departure airline ticket (international) needs to be reconfirmed 72 hours prior to departure. You can do this by calling the airline offices. Please note that these offices are not typically open on weekends.