Practical Information

Visa

Due to the recent extension of visa application procedures, we recommend you apply for a Letter of Invitation in name of Tsinghua University, which can be requested through Ria Visser ( mvisser@rsm.nl).

For the invitation, the following is required:

Personal information (the information in the first page of passport)
Information about job and organization
Information about travel insurance
Information about family companies coming together to China, if applicable

As the procedure will take quite some time, it is advisable to start with the visa application procedure directly after receiving the invitation letter.

Also, please take note it is no longer possible to obtain a visa within a day.

Climate

May is considered one of the best moths to visit Beijing. It is spring; the average temperature this month is 20 degrees Celsius, with six days of rainfall and occasional sand storms. The recommended outdoor clothing for this season is a thin sweater, a pair of sweat pants, a coat and perhaps a cap.

Money

Currency
The currency used in China is the Yuan (元), also known as the Renminbi (RMB; 人民币) or Kuai (块) in spoken Chinese.

ATMs
Large Chinese banks, such as the Bank of China and the China Construction Bank, have international ATMs that accept credit cards as well as some bank cards, such as those carrying the Maestro logo. ATM rates are excellent because they are based on wholesale rates offered by major banks.

Credit cards
The world wide-accepted credit cards, e.g. Visa, Master Card, American Express and JCB, can be used in the main hotels.

Exchanging money
Outside China, you cannot obtain Chinese currency, nor exchange it back into foreign currency. Currencies which can be exchanged in China include the U.S. Dollar, Euro, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swiss Franc, Swedish Kronor, Norwegian Kroner, Japanese Yen, Singaporean Dollar, Australian Dollar, Malaysian Ringgit, Hong Kong Dollar and Macau Pataca. For the most favourable rates, exchange money through banks. View the latest exchange rates at the Bank of China website by clicking here. The exchange rates at the Bank of China website are based upon 100 Yuan.

Approximate exchange rates
Euro : Yuan = 1 : 10
U.S. dollar : Yuan = 1 : 7.5

Electrical Supply

220V, 50Hz.

Read more about China’s electrical supply and outlet shapes here.

Eating and drinking

There should not be any problems related to food. The Chinese cuisine serves all tastes and diet requirements. Tap water is not suitable for drinking.