Pre-Departure Information

The MNF Secretariat is pleased to offer Forum participants some tips to ensure your trip to Beijing is a pleasant one.

Immunizations

China requires yellow fever vaccination for travelers entering the country within six days of visiting countries in Africa or South America or any other country with a risk of yellow fever.

The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following vaccines for travelers to China: adult diphtheria/tetanus, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, measles/mumps, rubella, typhoid, and varicella (chickenpox). Additional vaccines may be recommended for those who anticipate spending substantial time in rural areas. Please see wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationChina.aspx for details.

Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need. The CDC recommends that you consult your physician at least 4-6 weeks prior to your trip to allow time for the shots to take effect. For more information, please visit the CDC website's section on travelers' health. In general, travelers should wash their hands frequently with soap and water, avoid drinking tap water, eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables they have peeled themselves, and protect themselves against insect bites.

Visas

International visitors to China will generally be required to secure visas prior to their arrival at the Beijing International Airport. Please note that you are strongly encouraged to apply for your visa through the nearest Chinese Consulate as soon as possible to ensure you will receive your visa in time for the Forum. While precise visa requirements will vary from country to country, the following are the general visa requirements and types for all international visitors to China:

General Requirements
The following are general requirements for all international travelers applying for visas to enter China:

1. An original passport with at least six months of validity beyond your proposed trip to China and with at least two blank visa pages.
2. A completed visa application form signed by the applicant;
3. A recent 2X2 inches size passport photo, without any form of head covering and with a white background;
4. Payment of a visa processing fee, which varies by country.

Please note that these are general requirements that will vary by country and by visa type. Also note that additional visas may be required for those traveling to Tibet and other areas. If you are planning travel outside of Beijing, please consult with the closest Chinese Consulate on additional visa requirements.

Visa Types
It is anticipated that those attending the Forum will travel to China on one of two possible visa types:

1. Business Visa (F-Visa): Business visas are issued to applicants who are invited to China for business, research, lectures, exchanges, and conferences. The requirements for a business visa are the above general requirements plus an invitation letter from a relevant Chinese government department or business.
2. Tourist / Family Visit Visa (L-Visa): Tourist visas are issued to applicants who intend to visit China for sightseeing, family visit or other personal affairs.

Forum participants attending the meeting on a business visa or whose closest Consulate requires a letter regardless of visa type are advised to download and complete the Visa Letter of Support Request Form and send it to the Forum Secretariat at mnforum@aed.org with your itinerary and personal details (e.g., passport information). We will then arrange for your letter of invitation to be sent directly to you for presentation at your nearest Chinese Consulate.

Beijing International Airport

Beijing's International Airport is located 27km from the city center, and approximately 19km from the Beijing Continental Grand Hotel and the Beijing International Conference Center, where the Forum will be held. The airport is well signed in English and Forum participants should have little difficulty navigating through the friendly immigration officers. Do take the time to rate the service provided by your immigration official, using the "smiley" and "frowny-faced" buttons in front of each desk—where else in the world can you provide such instantaneous feedback to an immigration officer? After immigration, follow signs to baggage claim and then through customs, where the green "nothing to declare" doorway will whisk you through into the main arrivals hall.

Airport Transfers

One floor down from arrivals, shuttle buses to many major hotels, including the Continental Grand, are available. Buy your tickets (around 25 RMB) in advance at one of the many well-marked and staffed kiosks just inside the doors.

Taxis are available from two floors below the arrivals hall. Although the queues will often appear long, they move quickly. Download and print the Chinese-language Service Card (see image right) so that you'll have the name of the hotel available in Chinese in the event your driver does not speak English. Also, please make sure your driver uses the meter and do not negotiate the rate off-meter-doing so will ensure what should be a 60-90 RMB fare is much higher.

For those who would prefer a pre-arranged airport transfer, our local partner, the China Comfort Travel Agency, will be providing airport transfers for individuals and groups. Pricing for these transfers is as follows: