Visa
Please take note that if you are not a Chinese citizen, you will need a visa to enter China. You can apply for a visa at the Chinese Embassy/Consulate of the region in which you live. Hong Kong and Taiwan residents need to acquire entry passes.
Visas issued will generally be valid for 3 months with a 30-day period of stay. To avoid uncertainty and to allow sufficient time for the processing of your application, we recommend applying for a visa 1 to 2 months in advance. Please consult the website of Chinese Embassies for official guidance.
For an official invitation, please download and fill in the following information form and send it to iccc2012@chinacommunications.cn.
Download: Information Form For Visa
General Information
Time Zone
Beijing is 8 hours ahead of GMT(Greenwich Mean Time).
Credit Card
Most international credit cards are accepted at most hotels, department stores, restaurants, and shops.
Currency and Exchange
The currency in the People's Republic of China is Renminbi (RMB). The exchange rate is subject to market fluctuations. A rough estimate of the exchanged rate is 6.3 RMB to 1 US dollar (April, 2012).
For Exchange Rate Information, please click here
Weather in Beijing
Beijing's climate is defined as "continental monsoon." The four seasons are distinctly recognizable. August is a hot season in Beijing. Average high temperature is 29.4°C, average low temperature is 20.2°C, and average number of days with rain is 13.2.
For the latest weather information, please consult here
Electricity and socket/Outlet
Most of the hotels in China have both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in the bathrooms, though in the guest room, only 220V sockets are available.Outlets in China generally accept 2 types of plug:
Flat blade plug V-shaped flat prongs
If your appliances plug has a different shape, you may need a plug adapter.
Useful Telephone Numbers
China Country code: 86
Beijing Area code: 10
Police: 110
Fire Service: 119
Ambulance-Emergencies: 120
