Travel
Visa & Passport
For visitors from other countries, visa applications to China might take a few weeks to process at the Chinese Embassies. If you require a Letter of Invitation to apply for your Visa to China, fill out this form (in case of problems, contact Dr. Shiying LI shiying_li@126.com). Please be aware that we can not send the Letters of Invitation directly to the embassies. Find out if you need a visa to enter China for most countries here:
http://www.visaforchina.org/,
for the USA here:
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/visas/.
Meeting site
The symposium will take place in the Sheraton Chongqing Hotel, which also offers accommodation.
How to get to the meeting site
Your main point of arrival is the international airport Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. This international airport maintains direct liaison with all major cities in the world. The Sheraton Chongqing Hotel is a 30-minute drive from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG), which is approximately 2½ hours away from Shanghai, Beijing, or Hong Kong by air.
Other alternatives for those of you wanting to enjoy a bit more the scenery: you can easily take taxi from Chongqing North Railway Station to Sheraton Chongqing ( By taxi: ≈40 RMB) or take the subway (running from 06:30–22:30).
For traveling before or after the meeting, one of the possibilties is to contact travelchinaguide.
→Accommodation
Climate
The meeting takes place in October. Average day temperature should be average 20–26˚C, which is quite pleasant.
Banks & Currencies
Currency is the RMB. Visa, Master Card and American Express credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. ATM machines are easily found. [We suggest changing some RMB cash at airport for convenience.]
Electricity
220 Volts, plug type: 
, sometimes combined with a Euro two-prong.
Shopping
Shops are open from Monday to Sunday, 09:00–20:00. Shopping centers may have extended hours to 22:00.
Smoking
Smoking is forbidden in most public areas, governemental buildings and shopping malls. The conference site is a smoke-free area.
Telecommunication
Most areas (restaurants, shopping center etc.) have wireless reception. Wireless internet connection will be provided at the meeting site of Sheraton Chongqing.
Travel Grants
Policy: [PDF], Application form: [RTF], [DOCX]