Traveling to China

For onsite participants:

Beijing is a global city and one of the world's leading centers for culture, diplomacy, business, education, tourism, sport, technology and transportation. As a megacity, Beijing is the second largest Chinese city by urban population after Shanghai.

Combining both modern and traditional architectural styles, Beijing is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a rich history dating back over three millennia. The city has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Ming Tombs, Zhoukoudian, and parts of the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. Siheyuans, the city's traditional housing style, and hutongs, the narrow alleys between them, are major tourist attractions.

15-Day Visa-Free Travel for EU and Malaysia Citizens

Visa-free travel for citizens of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland is available until December 31, 2025.

144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Scheme

This policy permits passengers from 54 countries or regions to transit through specific areas in China for up to 144 hours (6 days) without a visa. To qualify, book an interline ticket with a confirmed departure date and seat, leaving for a third country or region within 144 hours of your arrival in mainland China.

The eligible transit route follows this pattern:
A (Country/Region) → B (Participating Region in mainland China) → C (Third Country/Region)
Note: C cannot be the same as A.

Key Considerations: The countries or regions immediately before and after your stay in mainland China are crucial. In addition, any of the Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan regions can be either Destination A or C. The clock starts ticking from 00:00 hrs immediately following the time of entry. For example, if you go through border control at the arrival airport and enter China at 8:00 am on July 6, 2024, the clock starts ticking from 00:00 hrs on July 7, 2024. Therefore, you would then be required to leave China by 23:59 hrs on July 12, 2024.

Participating regions in mainland China include Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangdong, Hebei, Jiangsu, Kunming, Liaoning, Qingdao, Shanghai, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xi’an, Xiamen, and Zhejiang.

Sample Valid Routes:
1. US: New York/Chicago/Los Angeles > Seoul > Beijing > Taipei
2. Australia: Sydney > Beijing > Tokyo
3. UK: London > Hong Kong > Beijing > Kuala Lumpur

Please note that international flights into and out of China should be non-stop within mainland China. For instance, a route like UK – Guangzhou – Shanghai - Hong Kong would not qualify. Once you enter China, you should directly depart to a third country or region without stopping at another city within mainland China.

For route qualification queries, it's advisable to check with your airline or the Chinese embassy or consulate before planning your trip. For more details, please refer to the 'China 144 Hour Transit Visa Free' subsection at the bottom of this page.

Visas

In most cases, travelers must obtain a visa from a Chinese embassy or consulate before arriving in mainland China. Start the visa application process at least one month in advance. Travel agencies can assist with applications and expedited services are available.

For the most up-to-date visa requirements, check the Chinese embassy website or Visa Application Service Center website for your home country.

A passport valid for at least six months, plus a visa, are required to enter mainland China. Visas are issued by Chinese embassies, consulates, or affiliated Visa Application Centers.

Visitors to Hong Kong and Macau usually do not need visas, but will require one for traveling onwards to mainland China.

Tourist visas allow single or multiple entries for 30 days to 6 months. Citizens of certain countries like the US and UK may qualify for 10-year multiple entry visas if they have previously visited China.

Visa applications generally require proof of return travel, hotel bookings, and a full trip itinerary.

For further details, please refer to the Visa section of the official Beijing Municipal Government website.

Arriving by Air

Beijing has two international airports. Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) is closer to the city center with good public transport links. Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX) is farther from the center but also connected by public transit.

Airlines like Air China, Air France, American, Delta, Lufthansa, and United offer direct flights to Beijing from major international cities. It's also worth checking flights that arrive at neighboring Tianjin and taking the 30- to 40-minute bullet train, which runs every 10 to 15 minutes to Beijing. Indirect flights via Japan, South Korea, or Hong Kong are usually more plentiful and less expensive.

Transportation from the airports to the central business district (CBD) is available via taxi. The approximate travel times are a minimum of 32 minutes (26 km) from Capital International Airport (PEK), and 53 minutes (62 km) from Daxing International Airport (PKX). For detailed information, please refer to the 'Airport Taxis' section bottom of the page. Alternatively, you may inquire with your hotel's concierge or website regarding recommended ground transport options.

Arriving by Train

Beijing is a railway hub with direct international routes and trains to most Chinese cities. Key railway stations are Beijing Station, Beijing West Station, Beijing South Station, and Beijing North Station.

High-speed bullet trains connect Beijing to other major cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou in 4-8 hours. There is a daily high-speed train running from Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station to Beijing West Railway Station. Journey duration is 8.5 hours; cost varies (e.g. USD $180-$285), depending on the class of travel and date of purchase. Buy train tickets early.

Getting Around

Taxis & Rideshare

Taxis are affordable and plentiful. Print out the hotel's taxi card (in Mandarin) beforehand, or have your destination written in Mandarin to show the driver. Only use the official taxi ranks at the airports. Refuse unsolicited offers for taxis when exiting the airport—these drivers are unreliable and expensive. Your hotel can also arrange taxis for you during your stay.

Didi Chuxing, a prominent ride-sharing platform in China akin to Uber or Lyft, can be a convenient transportation option for foreign visitors. To ensure a better experience, we advise following these steps:

• Install the Didi app designed for mainland China and Hong Kong from the appropriate app store prior to your trip. Set up your account as much as possible, in advance of your trip. Upon installation, the initial screen may be in Mandarin, prompting you to accept the terms of use. Customize the app's language settings to English for easier navigation.

• Account creation necessitates a valid phone number for verification. We recommend purchasing a Chinese SIM card upon arrival or inquiring with your mobile carrier about international roaming options.

• Link a valid international payment method, such as a credit card, debit card, or mobile wallet (WeChat Pay or Alipay), as Didi requires in-app payment for rides.

• When requesting a ride, input your destination and select the desired vehicle type. Inputting destinations using Chinese characters may yield more accurate results. The estimated fare and wait time for the driver will be displayed.

• Be prepared for drivers to call with questions in Mandarin. In such instances, consider using translation apps or seeking assistance from hotel staff or local colleagues.

Language Assistance

'Translate' apps offered by Google, Apple, DeepL, and Yandex are readily available for download in both the Apple and Android app stores. These can significantly aid in verbal communication and text translation via camera. Prior to your journey, it is highly recommended to download both the input and output language packs for offline usage. For added reliability, consider downloading more than one translation application. Additionally, numerous travel e-books provide sections dedicated to common phrases and words.

Public Transport

The Beijing Subway is the world's busiest metro system, and is the oldest metro system in mainland China. It consists of 22 rapid transit lines, two airport rail links, one maglev line, two light rail lines, and 478 stations. It is a convenient way to travel about the city and has signs in English.

An extensive bus network also exists.

Cycling can be a good way to see Beijing, particularly the hutongs and historical areas. The city is very flat, making it ideal for getting around on two wheels but high pollution levels and chaotic traffic can often be an impediment. Bikes can be rented at many hotels or via an app.

Yikatong Card

The Yikatong card is a contactless smart card that can be used for transportation. It can be used on the Beijing subway, city buses, Airport Express trains, S2 trains, taxis, shared bicycles, and many other places. You can also apply for an electronic Yikatong via its app on a smartphone.

There are about 1,400 designated points in Beijing where you can buy a Yikatong or get a refund for it. These points are mostly located in subway stations as well as certain bus stations, convenience shops, banks, and Beijing Capital Airport (T2).

Money

The national currency is the yuan (¥). Most major credit cards are accepted in shopping malls and international hotels and restaurants. While it is still possible to make cash payments, China is fast becoming a cashless society. Most Chinese use mobile payment systems such as WeChat Pay and Alipay to pay for all goods and services, including street market and other small purchases. WeChat has partnered with major international credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, to allow foreign visitors to add their credit cards directly to their digital wallet on the WeChat app. The Alipay app functions as a prepaid credit card onto which foreign visitors can add funds from an international credit or debit card and then use it on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Internet Access and VPN

Before you travel to China, we recommend subscribing to a virtual private network (VPN) service and installing their apps on your smartphone, laptop, and tablet computer. Mullvad (Sweden) or Proton VPN (Switzerland) are excellent choices. Alternatively, you can use your own university or business VPN.

You'll need a VPN to access most Western sites or services. Apple maps can easily be accessed but Google maps only works with a VPN. Skype can still work without a VPN.

Free Wi-Fi is available at most restaurants, cafés, and hotels.

Accessing Online Services in China

Many Western websites and online services are restricted or blocked. To ensure seamless access, we strongly recommend securing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) before your arrival.

VPN Setup:
• If you are affiliated with a university or business, check that their VPN service is compatible with China and already installed on your devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets).
• Alternatively, you may consider subscribing to a reputable private VPN service based in Europe. We can provide recommended vendors upon request.
• Some VPN providers offer browser extensions for Firefox or Chrome, which can be a lightweight and efficient option for laptop users.

Accessing Specific Services:
• Apple Maps and Skype are generally accessible without a VPN.
• Google, Dropbox, Zoom, and social media require a VPN.
• To avoid VPN dependence, consider using European or non-Western alternatives such as Yandex (search engine, email, online storage), and Zoho (online office suite).

Internet Access:
• Free Wi-Fi is widely available at restaurants, cafes, and hotels across China.
• However, you may need to provide a mobile phone number to obtain an access code in some locations.
We encourage you to set up your preferred VPN solution before your trip to China, ensuring uninterrupted access to the online services and resources you require during the conference.

Mobile Phones

China operates on the GSM network so most cell phones brought overseas will work with a local SIM card. You can purchase a SIM card at the airport or at local shops. China Unicom, China Telecom, and China Mobile are the main network providers.

Check with your phone carrier regarding overseas roaming coverage in China; it may be more convenient than trying to switch SIM cards in Beijing. Some carriers, such as T-mobile, provide unlimited international texting.

Electrical Appliances

The electrical system in Beijing operates at 220 volts AC and 50 Hz. The standard socket/plug used in China is also common in Australia and New Zealand, so a plug adapter or converter is needed. Most hotels ranking above 3 stars in China provide electrical outlets of both 110V and 220V in the bathrooms, though in guest rooms usually only 220V sockets are available.

Opening Hours

Most shops and attractions are open daily from 8 or 9am until the evening, anywhere between 6 to 10pm. Many close for a few hours in the afternoon. Check opening hours in advance, as these can vary. Nearly all sights, stores and restaurants are closed on Mondays.

Weather

The long-range weather forecast for Beijing from July 8-11, 2024 calls for typical hot mid-summer conditions with highs of 30-35°C (86-95°F) and lows of 22-25°C (72-77°F). Humidity will be muggy around 70-80% on average. UV index values are forecast to be very high, at 9 or above. Air pollution may range from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups on hazy days. Overall, the weather will be hot, humid, potentially stormy with poor air quality at times. Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses are recommended and it's best to avoid being outside during midday hours.

Recommended Travel Resources

- Lonely Planet China: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/places
- Tripadvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294212-Beijing-Vacations.html
- Visit Beijing website: https://english.visitbeijing.com.cn/

China 144 Hour Transit Visa Free

- VisaGuide: https://visaguide.world/asia/china-visa/transit-visa/144-hour-visa-free/
- China Discovery: https://www.chinadiscovery.com/chinese-visa/144-hour-visa-free.html

Airport Taxis

- Capital International Airport (PEK): https://www.beijing-airport.com/taxi.php
- Daxing International Airport (PKX): https://daxing-pkx-airport.com/transportation/airport-taxi/