Localization World: Location

Getting to China
China requires entry visas for entry from many countries. You need to check with your local Chinese embassy or consulate for entry requirements.

We have found useful information at China Visa Service Center, a service agency in Houston, Texas. They can handle the visa application for you. We have talked to them personally and found them to be a reliable option. If you are a resident in a different country other than the US, you can do a Google search to find similar agencies who will provide you with the visa.

In regards to the invitation letter and visa information, we have found (at China Visa Service Center) that if you hold a US passport, you can present a business letter by using their sample business letter on your own company stationery. Or you can just apply for a tourist visa where no invitation letter is necessary. Listed below are the links to visa info and forms.

United States visitors to China visa forms:
Business (F) Visa:
Information
Forms

In some countries, the Chinese consulate requires an invitation letter from the conference organizers OR from a China-based company. Please contact Maria Elena Thomasson and provide her with the name(s) and addresses of the individual(s) that need a letter of invitation and indicate which type of invitation letter they need.

Accommodations:
The conference hotel, the Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Centre International Hotel, is sold out. Here are two other choices for the hotel:

Shanghai Jiari Hotel - Price: 589 RMB/night
Address: 951 Shilong Lu
Telephone: +86 21 51577000

The hotel and address in Chinese to show taxi driver:

奻漆樑嬴虛
坒韓繚951瘍ㄗ蕞輪奻漆鰍繚ㄘ
薊炵萇趕ㄩ51577000

Choice two, about 10-15 minutes walk to the Everbright:

Honghe Hotel - Price: 389 RMB/night
Address: 46 Guilin Rd.
Telephone: +86 21 54218777

Again, re-typed in Chinese:

箄睿嬴虛
屢輿繚繚46瘍ㄗ蕞輪笣繚ㄘ
薊炵萇趕ㄩ54218777

More hotels are listed on this page, but we have not checked them for availability.

At the conference:
There will be an information booth at the conference to provide conference participants with information about Shanghai in English. There will also be 24-hour emergency call support during the pre-conference and conference days staffed with English – Chinese bilingual staff. These sevices are offered by TOIN.