language：The main spoken language of Beijing is Chinese. However, English is also spoken.
Time zone：China lies eight time zone and eight hours ahead of Greenwich.
Electricity：The electric current in China is 220V, 50 Hz. Most hotels have built-in converters in bathrooms for shavers and hair dryers. Please note that a variety of plug types are used in China and adaptors may be necessary.
Currency：In China, only Chinese Yuan is used. However, exchange centers can be found at airports, banks, most hotels and large shopping centers. The exchange rate is about US$ 1 = CNY 6.8 Yuan. When exchanging money, please keep your receipt, which you will need in order to change any remaining Chinese Yuan back to foreign currency when leaving China. Visa, Master, American Express, Diners Club and JCB are accepted in many department stores and hotels.
Banking, Credit Card and Exchange：Beijing has an excellent network of banking facilities provided by both national and private banks. ATM Services are widely spread throughout the city. Many hotels, restaurants and up-market stores accept credit cards, mainly Visa, Master Card, Amex and Diners. Banking Hours is 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Insurance：The conference organizers do not accept any liability for personal accidents or loss or damage to the private property of any participants during the conference or indirectly arising from attending the conference. It is advisable that participants should take adequate travel and health insurances before leaving their own countries.
Immunization：All delegates coming from or transiting through HIVI Influenza Countries MUST get their body temperature checked before coming to China.
Check in and Check out Time：Check in and Check out time at hotel is 12.00 noon. We expect the month of October to be a peak tourist month; it is advisable to book your accommodation well in advance.
Tipping：ipping is not generally expected in the mainland of China. Although bellboys and staff may have become used to the international traveler giving small tips in large hotels, it is not expected or required. Most large hotels and some restaurants charge a service fee, e.g. 15%.
Featuring Special Cuisine：Currently, dinners with accompanying songs and dances are usually available at restaurants in Beijing mostly featuring special types of cuisine among which we find flavors of Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Russia. These restaurants highlight the national folkways and enhancing special atmospheres. While enjoying wonderful delicacies, guest can experience new customs and open up to meaningful traditions.
Shopping
Communications
If you wish to make international and domestic long-distance calls, you're advised to buy an IP phone card which can save you a considerable amount off your phone bill. The surface value of phone card mainly includes 30RMB, 50 RMB and 100RMB, and you can enter the card number and the password to make the call wherever telephones are available (local calling fees are charged as well). The public telephones of Beijing consist of IC card phones and public phones with on-duty personnel, and are available at most major streets, newspaper and magazine stands and groceries across the city proper and suburbs. The surface value of IC phone cards usually consists of 10 RMB, 20 RMB, 30 RMB, 50 RMB and 100RMB. You'll enjoy the convenience of the insert-to-use function. The public phones with on-duty personnel claim such advantages as preferential billing, accurate charging and convenient use. IP cards and IC cards as stated above are available at China Netcom, newspaper and magazine stands and supermarkets. You can get easy access to the card discounts.
Emergency numbers
Medical first aid：120
Police-reporting service center of Beijing Bureau of Public Security：110
Fire alarm:：119
Query of telephone numbers：114
CAD information desk：2580
Rail information desk：2585
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