Qingdao, a captivating coastal city in eastern China's Shandong Province, seamlessly blends natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. Known for its golden beaches, azure waters, and the iconic Zhanqiao Pier stretching into the Yellow Sea, the city offers breathtaking seaside scenery complemented by the mystical Laoshan Mountain, a Taoist sanctuary with lush peaks and cascading waterfalls. Qingdao's unique charm lies in its harmonious fusion of Chinese and European influences, evident in the red-roofed German-colonial buildings dotting the old town, particularly around the historic St. Michael's Cathedral. The city pulses with cultural energy, hosting Asia's largest Qingdao International Beer Festival, a testament to its brewing heritage as the birthplace of Tsingtao Beer, while its thriving arts scene and melodious waves of the violin-making tradition add to its creative allure. A paradise for food lovers, Qingdao tantalizes taste buds with fresh seafood like spicy clams and garlic scallops, crispy-bottomed Qingdao dumplings, and the refreshing pairing of Tsingtao Beer with barbecue under the seaside breeze, making every moment here a delightful sensory experience.

青岛，这座坐落于中国山东省东部的迷人海滨城市，将自然美景、厚重历史与鲜活文化完美交融。以金沙滩、碧海蓝天和伸向黄海的标志性栈桥闻名，这里的海滨风光令人叹为观止，而云雾缭绕的崂山更添神秘色彩——这座道教圣地拥有苍翠群峰和飞瀑流泉。红瓦绿树的德国风情建筑群星罗棋布于老城区，尤以历史悠久的圣弥厄尔大教堂为典型，彰显着中西合璧的独特魅力。整座城市跃动着文化活力：作为青岛啤酒的故乡，这里举办的亚洲最大啤酒节延续着百年酿造传统；蓬勃发展的艺术氛围与悠扬的小提琴制作技艺，更赋予城市独特的艺术气质。对于饕客而言，青岛堪称天堂：辣炒蛤蜊、蒜蓉扇贝等现捞海鲜令人垂涎，焦脆底部的青岛锅贴独具风味，配上海风微醺中冰镇青啤与烧烤的绝妙搭配，让每刻都成为味蕾的狂欢。

To make sure you have enough time to prepare, please apply the visa as early as you can. For most attendees, it is easier to apply for a Tourist ("L") visa; an invitation letter is NOT required for obtaining a Tourist visa.

When entering mainland China you’ll need a pre-arranged visa (unless you’re from Japan, Brunei, or Singapore) which you can arrange at a Chinese embassy or consulate anywhere in the world. The most commonly issued visa is an L (Tourist) Visa which is valid for a duration scaling from 30 days to one year for visitors. Prices are always fluctuating but expect to pay between $60-$130 depending on current rates and your nationality. Other types of visas include:

• F (Short term work) Visa – Designated for business trips, interships, or short study. You’re formally required an invitation letter however you can bypass this stipulation by getting the visa in Hong Kong or Macau from one of many travel agencies.
  

• Z (Long term work) Visa – Multiple-entry, long duration visas which are for people employed full-time in China. Requires a lot of paperwork and a hospital visit for a physical examination.
  

• X (Student) Visa – Six month, one-year, or longer duration depending on the length of your study commitment.

• L (Tourist) Visa – 30 to 90 day durations, generally for multiple entry, from anywhere from one year to ten years, depending on your nationality and the type of visa which you request. The length of your tourist visa will depend on your specific circumstances, and luck is often a factor.

With the visa rules and regulations changing as often as they do, you’re best off contacting a Chinese consulate directly to make sure you’re getting totally accurate information. To give you an idea of the fluctuations, a year ago tourist visas weren’t being issued and now they’ve resumed operation including up to one-year duration.

For more information check the Chinese Embassy website in your country

HOW TO GET icWCSN INVITATION LETTER 邀请信

1. The invitation letter will be issued after the successful registration.

2. Your name must be listed exactly as it appears on your passport. Any differences between the name on your passport and the name on your invitation letter or other documentation could lead to a delay and/or denial of your visa.

3. Please note icWCSN Conferences and the organizing committee of the conference are not authorized to assist with the VISA process beyond providing the Notification of Invitation Letter issued by icWCSN Conferences and conference Committee Board. Should your application be denied, icWCSN Conferences and the organizing committee of the conference cannot change the decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nor will icWCSN Conferences and the organizing committee of the conference engage in discussion or correspondence with the MOFA or the Embassy on behalf of the applicant. The registration fee cannot be refunded when the VISA application of individual being denied.

4. It takes around one month for the Embassy to process the VISA application, please register as early as you can to make sure you have enough time.