Conference Guide of PepCon 2008

This guide is a practical reference tool for participants of IDDST, 2008. It provides information on all conference-related aspects of logistics, transportation, food, accommodations, sightseeing and etc.

Conference Venue & Accommodation

The Conference venue and all activities of the program will be arranged at Grand View Hotel , an elegant 5 star hotel located 1, 6 km from the city centre of Shenzen. It has an easy accessibility to the downtown's shopping districts and the most popular tourist attractions. The 221 deluxe guest's rooms and suites set new standard of excellence with classical European furnishings, all featured with central air-conditioning, IDD, DDD, satellite channel, in-room safe, and mini-bar. The hotel has a lot of restaurants which provide mouth watering cuisine. Piano Bar is an ideal place to unwind with a freshly brewed coffee. There is a fully equipped business center with the computer and secretarial services. The hotel's multi-functional conference and banquet halls are perfect for international conferences. For those who like to soak up the sun, there is an outdoor swimming pool. Other facilities include a gymnasium, sauna and a beauty salon.

In addition, it is just a stone's throw from Huang Gang Customs and Immigration Center , which is one of the main gateways from Hong Kong . The elegant decorations, extensive personal service and comprehensive amenities have earned the property a reputation of Five Star Business Hotel.

Address : No.277, Fuhua Road , Futian District, Shenzhen 518026, People's Republic of China (Metro Gangxia Station, Exit C)

Tour in Yunnan (April 25-27, Kunming )

Lijing

Lijiang, possibly the best-preserved old town in China , is one of the last places in this country where we can witness and experience a historical, traditional, ancient urban culture.  Remarkably, the old houses with stone foundations, plastered whitewashed brick walls, red wooden doors, shutters and balconies, and sloping tiled roofs, survived a recent earthquake without much damage, while the new concrete buildings were flattened.  The canals are lined with weeping willows and decorative arched bridges linking one alley to the next.  The Wangu Pavilion is the best place to enjoy a bird's eye view of the Old Lijiang Town .  

Dali

Dali, a historically and culturally famous city of China , is renowned for her historical interest. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, it was the capital of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms , the political, economic and cultural centre of Yunnan , an important gateway of cultural exchange and trading with southeastern Asian countries, and an important pass of the ancient " Silk Route of the South". It has long enjoyed the reputation of "a land of letters".  

Dali nestling in the arms of the Diancang Mountain 400 kilometers west of Kunming , is linked to the outside world by airlines and express ways. The weather there is mild and it is spring all the year round. Dali is known all over the world for its graceful scenes and sights. The green mountains are encircled by rivers , and the city is encircled by mountains, as one line goes. The mountains are perpetually green in all four seasons, says another, The Cangshan Mountain and the Erhai Lake are perhaps the most fascinating of all the sceneries in the city .

Transportation

It is strongly suggested that overseas participants would first fly in Hong Kong International Airport where you can take a cross boundary coach to Grand View Hotel, the conference venue. The price for a single ticket is about $20-30( ￥ 150-200). It will take you about an hour and a half to get to the hotel. Listed below is one option for you. Or you may approach counter A09 and A10 at the airport for other travel agent coach service. Subway is not recommended as it may involve some crossing-boundary procedures.

•  China Travel Express, Counter A04, coach time: 7 am to 10 pm, Tel: 00-852-22610176.

•  Useful phone number : Hong Kong International Airport Enquiry Hotline: 00-852- 2181 0000

Note: During the conference, there is no shuttle bus from the hotel to convention center because they are in the same building.

Conferees in China

Visa

Participants are requested to possess a valid passport or other applicable travel documents with valid visas or entry permits to enter P. R. China. Please apply for the visa at the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate, and an invitation letter, which is issued by the organizing committee for application purpose will be sent upon your registration. If you want to visit any of the non-open cities, you need to acquire a travel permit. You can apply for these at the local public security bureau. For those going to Hong Kong , it is advisable to seek information from a Chinese embassy or consulate. Usually a visa is not necessary, but only a passport. From Hong Kong, the entry visa for continental China can be obtained within a few days.

Weather

Shenzhen has a mild subtropical oceanic climate. An annual average temperature of 22.3 brings us a beautiful garden city, which enjoys four seasons of green trees and blooming flowers.
The sunlight radiation in Shenzhen is rich, so do not forget to bring along skincare lotions, sunglass and sunlight umbrella. Rainy season starts from June and ends in August, so no umbrella is needed.

Currency

The official currency is the Renminbi (CNY) or Yuan. Chinese money cannot be exported. Travelers' checks and major credit cards are accepted (VISA, MASTERCARD), and foreign currency can be converted in airport, hotels, in friendly stores and in subsidiaries of the Bank of China. The working hour of most foreign exchange centre is: 08:30-16:30. You are highly advised to exchange some Renminbi for your bus/taxi fares before your departure. The exchange rate between U.S. dollar and RMB Yuan is approximately at 1: 7.7 (it differs every day). Usually, $ 200-300 would be enough for your transportation fees, if you would like to buy some souvenirs, $1000 would be sufficient. Though major credit cards are accepted at big stores and ATMs; cash is still more widely used.

Electricity

A variety of electrical outlets can be found in China and an all-around adaptor set is recommended. Voltage in China is 220V 50Hz. If you will need to use an adapter, please be sure to use an appropriate transformer as well.

Mobile Phone Network

Cellular phones are widely used in China with networks of GSM (800 MHz, 900 MHz & 1800 Mhz) and CDMA.

Working Language
The working language of this conference is English, therefore, simultaneous interpretation will not be provided.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Cancellations must be made in writing by fax (0086-411-84799629) or email ( melody@bitlifesciences.com ) before February 28, 2008. A 10% Cancellations Fee applies. No refund will be made after February 28, 2008. Substitutions are welcome at any time.

Local Time

•  Time Difference

China is in one time zone – Beijing Time (GMT+ 8 hours).

•  Working Hours

Most business organizations are open at 09:00~18:00, government departments at 08:00~17:00, and banks at 09:00~17:00. Working week runs from Monday to Friday. Many stores stay open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Insurance policy

It is advised to have insurance to cover sickness and other possible traveling accidence. For hospitalization in China , you may have to pay first and then claim it back from your insurance company. The organizing committee will not take the responsibility for any personal injuries sustained or for loss of, or damage to, property belonging to conference participants or their accompanying persons, either during or as a result of the Conference.

Emergency numbers
Police: 110
Fire Department: 119
Public Security Bureau: 6357-6666
Visa Card Hotline: 10-800-110-2911
MasterCard Hotline: 10-800-11-0-7309 (only in certain provinces)

Other service

1. Renting Auto cars. With a driver and an interpreter, service time: 8:00AM-6:00PM. The journey is limited to 200 kilometers per day.
2. Booking tickets from Shenzhen to other cities in China .

3. Pre-arranging professional guide.

Conference Contact:

Organizing committee of PepCon-2008 Conference

Address: 26 Gaoneng St. R404 Dalian Hightech Zone
Dalian , LN 116025, China

Tel: 0086-411-84799609 Ext.810 or 0086-411-84799479

Fax: 0086-411-84799629 or 0086-411-39858800-0123( Electronic Fax )

E-mail: sally@bitlifesciences.com or melody@bitlifesciences.com

http://www.bitlifesciences.com/Pepcon2008/index.htm

For emergency and during the conference, please contact:

Sally Mobile : 0086-411-138-409-32140