Welcome to Hangzhou! We are delighted that you will be joining us for the 2026 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Population Ageing. To help you prepare for your trip, we have put together the following practical information.
Before You Travel
Passport
Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into China.
Visa
Some participants may be eligible for a visa on arrival or visa-free entry to China, depending on their nationality and the purpose of their visit. Participants are advised to check the applicable entry requirements with the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate.
For participants who are required to obtain a visa before travelling to China, please note that the appropriate visa category may vary depending on the country where you are applying.
In general, participants may be required to apply for F Visa. However, in some countries, the Chinese Embassy or Consulate may advise applicants to apply for an M Visa instead.
Please note that the conference invitation letter is not the official visa invitation letter and cannot be used on its own for visa application purposes.
Information about visas is available via the links below.
Visa on Arrival / Entry Registration
Some participants may be eligible for visa-free entry or visa on arrival, depending on their nationality and the purpose of their visit. Please check the applicable entry requirements with the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate before travelling.
Upon arrival in China, all foreign nationals are required to complete the immigration procedures. Participants should follow the instructions provided by the immigration authorities at the airport or port of entry.
Digital Arrival Card
For foreign travellers, it is recommended to complete an online Arrival Card 24–72 hours before departure.
The online Arrival Card can be accessed via:
- QR code linking to the China online Arrival Card
China Online Arrival Card
Open the Arrival Card form - Website https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/entry-registation-home
- WeChat / Alipay mini-programs: search “12367” on WeChat or Alipay
Please save the generated QR code (screenshot or print).
If not completed before departure, self-service kiosks and paper forms remain available at ports of entry.
CNCA Contact Details
- Inviting person/organisation in China
- China National Committee on Ageing 中国老龄协会
- Name of the person or organisation
- China National Committee on Ageing 中国老龄协会
- Phone number
- +86 10 58122053
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Address: city, province/state, postal code
-
Jia 57, Andingmenwai Dajie
Dongcheng District 100011
Beijing, China 中华人民共和国北京市东城区安定门外大街甲57号；邮编：100011
Travel Insurance
It is recommended that all participants purchase comprehensive travel insurance before departure, covering medical expenses, accidents, changes to travel plans, and loss of or damage to personal belongings.
Travel & Airport Transfer
Airport
Most international flights arrive at:
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)
Some participants may arrive via:
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
High-speed trains connect both Shanghai airports with Hangzhou in approximately 1–2 hours.
Shuttle Services
Shuttle services from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport/Hangzhou East Railway to Hotel InterContinental Hangzhou and Sorl Hotel, will be available on 25th and 26th October, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Buses depart every hour on the hour, with the last bus leaving at 8:00 p.m.
If you are staying at another hotel nearby, you are welcome to use the shuttle service. However, please note that the buses will only stop at designated pick-up and drop-off points and cannot make additional stops along the route.
From hotel Hotel InterContinental Hangzhou and Sorl Hotel to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport/Hangzhou East Railway, the bus will be available on 30th and 31st October, bus schedule will be provided later.
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Pick-up Guide
Upon your arrival in Hangzhou, conference directional signboards will be placed at the arrival halls, where volunteers holding welcome signs will direct you to the shuttle buses.
Terminal 4 (T4) Domestic Arrivals: Take the escalator near the conference signboard up to the Departures Hall, exit through Gate 25 and turn right, then take the elevator down one floor to reach the conference bus parking area.
Terminal 3 (T3) Arrivals: Exit the airport directly facing Exit 14, and walk straight across the road to the conference bus parking area (approximately 60 meters).
Weather
Late October is generally pleasant in Hangzhou. Typical conditions:
- 15–23°C
- Light jacket recommended
- Occasional rain showers are possible
Currency
The local currency is the Chinese Yuan (RMB/CNY). Although cash is accepted in many places, mobile payment is the most common method of payment in China.
International credit cards are accepted at major hotels and larger shops, but may not be accepted everywhere. Participants are advised to carry a small amount of cash for incidental expenses.
Mobile Payment
China primarily uses:
- Alipay
- WeChat Pay
International visitors can now link many overseas Visa and Mastercard credit cards to these apps before travelling.
Internet Access
Please note that some websites and apps commonly used outside China may have restricted access. Examples include:
- Google Search
- Gmail
- Google Maps
- Google Drive
- X (Twitter)
Participants are encouraged to download any documents they may need before travelling.
Communication
English is not widely spoken outside major hotels and tourist areas. Translation apps can be very helpful during your stay.
Electricity
- Voltage: 220V
- Frequency: 50Hz
- Plug types: Type A, Type C and Type I
Participants may wish to bring a universal travel adaptor.
Health
No vaccinations are required specifically for travel to Hangzhou. Please bring sufficient supplies of any personal medications, together with copies of prescriptions if required.
Recommended Apps Before Travelling to China
To make your stay in Hangzhou as smooth as possible, we recommend downloading and setting up the following apps before you travel, as some services may be more difficult to access after arriving in China.
| App | Purpose | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Alipay (支付宝) | Mobile payments, taxis, public transport, shopping and many daily services. International Visa and Mastercard can be linked before arrival. | alipay.com |
| WeChat (微信) | China’s most widely used messaging app. Also supports payments, mini-programs and communication with local contacts. | wechat.com |
| DiDi China | Ride-hailing service similar to Uber, with an English interface and support for international payment methods. | DiDi China |
| Apple Maps (iPhone) or Amap (Gaode Maps) | Navigation and public transport. Google Maps may not provide reliable navigation in mainland China. | amap.com |
| Microsoft Translator or Apple Translate | Voice, text and camera translation for communicating in Chinese. | translator.microsoft.com |
Useful Tips
- The time zone is China Standard Time (UTC+8).
- Tipping is generally not expected in China.
- Tap water is not recommended for drinking; bottled water is readily available.
- Free Wi-Fi is available at most hotels and the conference venue.
At the Conference
Registration and Badge Collection
Badges will be issued at check-in to participants who have completed registration and received the official Invitation Letter. Guests are kindly requested to present their passports at the registration desk to complete the registration process. For verification purposes, each participant is required to register in person, and registration on behalf of others is not available.
Your name badge serves as your pass for entering the venue, attending sessions, enjoying meals, and using shuttle services. Please keep it safe and use it only for yourself; it may not be transferred to others. Please keep it safe and wear it at all times.
Should you accidentally lose it, please come to the conference organising desk and we will arrange a replacement.
Dress Code
For the plenary sessions, business formal or business casual attire is recommended.
Security Check
Security checkpoints are set up at venue entrances. Please cooperate with security personnel.
Simultaneous Interpretation
Simultaneous interpretation in Chinese and English will be provided for plenary sessions, parallel sessions, and side events. Interpretation headsets will be placed at your seat. Upon leaving the venue, please leave the headset on your seat and do not take it out of the room.
Meals
The Conference will provide:
- 26th October: dinner (Light Meal)
- 27th – 29th October: lunch and dinner
- 30th October: lunch (Light Meal)
All meals will be served at the InterContinental Hangzhou, and staff will guide you to the restaurant. Dishes are labeled with their Chinese and English names and allergen information, and are categorized to meet halal, vegetarian, and other dietary needs.
A welcome banquet on 27 October starts at 18:00pm-20:00pm at the Entrance 3 Foyer on the 1st floor of the InterContinental Hotel; we kindly ask you to arrive on time. Thank you for your cooperation.
Conference Etiquette
When you enter the session halls, we kindly ask that you set your mobile phone to silent or vibration mode, especially during keynote speeches and important sessions, and we would appreciate it if you could avoid making or taking calls inside the hall so as not to disturb other participants.
Regarding photography and filming, we kindly request that you turn off the flash and refrain from using any recorded content for commercial purposes without prior authorisation from the organisers.
Medical & First Aid
An on-site medical post equipped with emergency supplies and medical contacts is available at the venue. Please contact on-site medical staff if you feel unwell.
A medical point is set up at the venue, equipped with emergency medicines and medical staff. Please note its location upon your arrival.
If you feel unwell, please promptly seek help at the on-site medical point.
We recommend keeping your personal insurance provider’s contact details readily accessible during your trip and familiarising yourself with your insurance coverage and claims procedures before departure.
Conference Secretariat Contacts
- Mr. SUN Yifei, Tel: +86 15068899006; Email: [email protected]
- Mr. YANG Su, Tel: +86 18810086655; Email: [email protected]
- Ms Chutikarn Chaiban, Tel: +66 817644162; Email: [email protected]
Emergency Contacts
Emergency Numbers (24/7, Toll-Free in China)
Consular Assistance
We recommend keeping the contact details of your country’s embassy or consulate in China readily accessible in case you need assistance during your stay.
