Q: Is there a time change (summer to winter) in China?
A: There is no time change in China, and the single standard time zone in China is East 8 Zone.
Q: What is the weather during Oct. in Hefei?
A: During the conference, the local weather is expected to be cloudy or light rain with temperature between 12℃(night) and 25℃ (daytime).
Q: How can I get to the conference hotels (Crowne Plaza Hefei Hotel or Chuangyuan City Center Hotel)?
A: We will arrange free shuttle buses from Hefei Xinqiao International Airport to Crowne Plaza Hefei Hotel or Chuangyuan City Center Hotel on October 11, departing from airport at 12:30, 16:30, 21:00, respectively. We will arrange for volunteers to hold a conference sign at the only exit of the airport and guide you to the shuttle bus. You can also take a taxi easily when you exit the airport teminal and get to the hotels by taxi. If you arrive in Hefei by train, you can get to the hotels by either public transportation or taxi. More information can be found on the conference website:
https://indico.pnp.ustc.edu.cn/event/6142/page/113-travel
Q: Can I pay for the taxi, restaurant, hotels by credit card? Or is there other payment method?
A: Payment methods in China include mobile payment, cash, and credit/debit cards.
For taxi, the mobile payment is the most common. For restaurant and hotels, mobile payment, cash, and credit/debit cards are acceptable.
Below are brief introduction of several payments.
Mobile Payment
The payment method landscape is dominated by mobile payment platforms, typically the Alipay and Wechat Pay.
Alipay: Operated by Ant Group, Alipay is one of the largest mobile payment platforms in China. It offers a wide range of services, including QR code payments, online shopping, utility bill payments, and financial services. Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover cards can all be added to Alipay.
WeChat Pay (aka WeXin Pay): Part of the WeChat app, which is owned by Tencent, WeChat Pay is another leading mobile payment platform. It integrates seamlessly with the social media and messaging features of WeChat, allowing users to make payments, transfer money, and pay for services directly within the app. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover cards can all be added to WeChat Pay.
Please check out the PBC's guide above for how to install and use Alipay or WeChat pay if you are interested.
Cash: Although less common in urban areas, cash is still used, particularly in rural areas or for small transactions. It is advisable to exchange CNY cash bills at the airport or in advance for a better exchange rate.
Credit/Debit Cards:UnionPay / VISA / Mastercard: These cards are accepted at most ATMs, hotels, shopping malls, big supermarkets, and online merchants within China. However, they may not be accepted at small convenience shops or small restaurants.
Q: How can I get to the conference venue from hotel?
A: We will provide complimentary shuttle bus service between the two conference hotels (Crowne Plaza Hefei Hotel and Chuangyuan City Center Hotel) and the conference venue. The two hotels are located next to each other, and guests from both hotels will board the shuttle buses at the same stop. The shuttle bus schedule for the conference period is available here.
Q: Are there some Chinese words or phrase that are very useful for getting around Hefei ?
A: Here are some that might be helpful.
请帮我打一辆出租车（Please help me take a taxi）
我要去合肥南站（I want to go to Hefei South Train Station）
我要去新桥机场（I want to go to Hefei Xinqiao Airport）
中国科学技术大学东校区南大门（South Gate of the University of Science and Technology of China, east campus）
合肥皇冠酒（Crowne Plaza Hefei）
合肥创远城市中心酒店 (Chuangyuan City Center Hotel)
合肥新桥国际机场 (Hefei Xinqiao International Airport)
[mobile payment only] 需要扫哪个码付款，这个码是微信还是支付宝 (Which QR code should I scan by mobile phone to pay for the fee? Is this code the Alipay or WeChat Pay?)