虫虫的blog SINCE2004

Chonqing — A Beautiful Mountain City

Chongqing is located at the convergence of the Yangzi river (Chang Jiang) and Jianling river and also a gateway to western China. As a representative city, it enables you to feel the rapid pace of development in western China. The thousand-year-old wharf, the once wartime Capital during World War II, and the burgeoning municipality directly under the central government are only a few attractions of the city that are worth visiting.

It might be regarded as one of the largest mountain cities of the world, which features rivers, forests, springs, waterfalls, gorges, and caverns. This cliff-side city overlooks the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. Its urban skyscrapers erect at the foot of hills as well as beside the rivers, making spectacular scenery with a myriad of twinkling lights at night.

From this city, after one-night going down by boating along the Yangtze River, you may have a great pleasure to enjoy the world-famous resorts: the small Three Gorges and the great Three Gorges. Furthermore, the modern transport networks enable you to travel to any place within Chongqing municipality in 8 hours, and in downtown in only half hour. As one of World Culture Heritages, Dazu Stone Carvings (Buddhist Grottoes) is also only a 2-hour bus away the city center.

   Passport and Visa

A valid passport and visa for visiting China are required which can be obtained at your local Chinese Embassy or the nearest Consulate General. Official Conference Invitation Letter will be sent to the participants by ICMIT Secretariat upon receiving your Registration Form.

  Weather

The annual average temperature is about 18˚C with 6˚C~8˚C in winter and 27˚C~38˚C in summer. So the optimal season to visit Chonqing is not the hot summer or the cold winter, but spring and autumn. The average temperature in September is 24˚C, when our Conference will be being held, with daytime high of 28˚C and nighttime low of 21˚C. It is an ideal time for tourists to enjoy the beautiful sites of Chongqing.

  Time Difference

Los Angeles (Pacific Standard Time)+15 hours, London-7 hours, Argentina-11 hours. Despite its enormous size, China is set to Beijing time throughout the country.

  Insurance

The Organizing Committee cannot 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.

  Electricity

The electricity supply is 220V, 50Hz in China.

  Currency Exchange

In China, only RMB is used. However, exchange centers can be found at airports, most hotels and large shopping centers. The exchange rate is about US $ 1 = RMB 8.30. When exchanging money, please keep your receipt so that you can convert any remaining RMB back to foreign currency when leaving China. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and JCB are accepted in many department stores and hotels. It may be difficult to draw cash with credit cards.

The Bank of China and most hotels can cash travelers’ checks issued by any foreign banks or financial institutions. Participants will need to show a passport and pay a 0.75 percent commission. Travelers’ checks signed over to a third party cannot be cashed in China, but can be presented for collection through the Bank of China.

  Transportation

Transportation in Chongqing is convenient, with expressways, taxis, buses, boats, and trains.

Bus： There are mini, air-conditioned, and sightseeing buses in Chongqing. Most city buses run from 5:30am ~ 21:00pm and cost RMB1~3.

Taxi：Taxies are everywhere in the city, and taxi is one of the most convenient ways to get around. Taxies charge RMB5 for the first 3km, then RMB1.2 for every additional 1km, plus RMB0.6 for every 5 minutes of waiting period. Toll fees are extra, RMB5 for bridges and RMB10 for expressways. It costs around US $20 to travel from the airport to the downtown.

Light rail: The full fare is about RMB 3~5.

  Reconfirmation of Air Ticket

Departure air ticket (both international and domestic) should be reconfirmed 72 hours in advance. Calling the airline office in Chongqing is advised. But these offices are not open on weekends.

Scheduled Flights of Chongqing International Airport

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport’s distinctive floral logo makes daily appearances in more than 38 key domestic destinations as well as some other cities in different countries. Direct international flights between Chongqing and Nagoya of Japan, Bangkok of Thailand, Seoul of Korea or Singapore are available and more international air routes will be available in 2005. Traveling to Chongqing can also be very convenient through connections at Hongkong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and so on.