The symposium will take place at the 2nd-floor conference room of College of Chemistry in Beijing Normal University (BNU). The students will guide you to the conference room from the Jing-Shi hotel.

Jing-Shi Hotel is in the campus of Beijing Normal University. We have booked rooms for you and some students will be there to help you to check in.

Beijing Capital International Airport is the most convenient way to Beijing for overseas speakers. There should be many airlines to Beijing from main cities of Asia, Europe, America, etc. You are also advised to inquire about your travel agency first. The airport is located in the northeast of the city, about 30 km away from Beijing Normal University.

Taking taxi is the most convenient choice to the Jing-Shi hotel reserved for your rest. Fees are charged according to the taximeter. Fares should be paid in RMB cash. It costs around RMB¥ 100-150 to get to the Jing-Shi hotel in Beijing Normal University from the airport. Most taxi drivers cannot speak or understand English, so please show the card with Chinese address of the hotel to the driver. It is clear enough for most Beijing taxi drivers. For example, show the following card to the taxi driver, then she or he will take you to the Jing-Shi hotel.

For domestic speakers, in addition to Beijing Capital International Airport, taking high-speed railway is another nice choice. There are three main railway stations in Beijing: Beijing South Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, Beijing Railway Station. You can choose the most convenient station from your departure city.

Beijing, with a history of 3000 years, is the political, economic, academic, and cultural center of China. As one of the oldest capital cities, Beijing integrates not only the splendid ancient culture, but also the modern civilization.

The long history of Beijing endows the city with a rich cultural heritage. The Great Wall, one of the greatest wonders in the world, extends thousands of miles from eastern Shanhaiguan to western Jiayuguan, and passes through Beijing. The poetic and picturesque Summer Palace represents the highest architectural level of royal garden of China. The Forbidden City has the most splendid group of imperial palaces in the world. The temple of heaven is the place of worship for emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties of China, as well as a splendid representation of ancient Chinese architectural art.

These four sites have been approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as the world cultural heritage. Besides, Hutong (Chinese alleys) and compound courtyards (old Beijing residential quarters) are an indispensable part of Beijng culture. These streets and buildings have witnessed the ups and downs of the city in the past centuries, and become a symbolic life in Beijing.

For more information about Beijing, please visit http://www.beijingpage.com.

No responsibility can be assured for any kind of personal accidents, sickness, theft, or property damage suffered by conference participants. Participants are advised to arrange whatever insurance they consider it necessary.

Beijing lies in the continental monsoon region in the warm temperature zone. The four seasons in Beijing are distinctive. Its climate represents as hot and rainy in summer and cold and dry in winter. August and September, the end of summer and the beginning of autumn in Beijing, have the most comfortable weather in the year when the sky is blue, and the air is crisp, mild and humid. For more information, please visit http://www.travelchinaguide.com/climate/beijing.htm.

China is generally a safe country. However, hang on tight to your wallet especially in crowded, popular tourist sites in tourist cities such as Beijing. These tourist cities also have a lot of touts in the streets touting from currency exchange to jewellery. Stay away from them!

In China, tap water is considered quite hard and needs to be boiled before drinking. Therefore, tap water at all hotels in China is not drinkable directly. Inquire with hotel staff members when you check in. If you are unsure it is recommended you drink bottled water only or cool boiled water offered by hotels. Please visit http://www.china.org.cn/english/travel/45789.htm and related pages for more information.

China uses 220 volt power supply for standard domestic and business purposes. Hotels generally provide wall sockets in every bathroom for razors and hair dryers, accommodating both "straight two-pin plugs," and "triangular 3-pins plugs." Please visit http://www.china.org.cn/english/travel/45790.htm and related pages for more information.