Apply for the Visa

International students or scholars need to apply for a visa to stay and study in China legally. You can apply for the visa at the closest Chinese embassy or consulate in your country. The required documents include 1) Your valid passport; 2) The original copy of the APM’s admission notification or invitation letter; 3) The Visa Application Form for Foreigners Studying in China. An invitation from Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology (APM), Chinese Academy of Sciences must be presented as supporting material in the application for an entry visa to China. Diplomatic, service or official passports must be brought during the trip and the official invitation is highly recommended to be presented when passing through the immigration at the borders. You are suggested to consult your local authorities to clarify the type and validity of your visa before departure.

Preparation checklist

1) Valid passport and Visa

2) The official Admission Notice or Invitation Letter from APM (original)

3) The Visa Application for Study in China Form

4) Tuition (if any)

5) Four 1-inch and 2-inch ID pictures

6) Physical examination record and blood test report (original, if available)

7) Your insurance card.

8) Converter and adaptor plug: In China, the common power voltage is 220 Volt 50 Hz AC. The power sockets widely used are type A and type I. If they go different from that of your country, you may need a converter and an adaptor plug for electrical devices.

9) Currency: Currency exchange services are generally available at airports, hotels, local banks, and ATMs. Most international debit and credit cards can be used to withdraw cash from Chinese ATMs. The local currency is the Chinese RMB. 1 US Dollar = approximately 6.37 RMB. ATMs are available at most banks and shopping centers throughout Wuhan.

10) Other packing tips: You are not advised to bring too much luggage because you can purchase the daily necessities at local stores or supermarkets. Do not hesitate to visit some websites for more packing tips for international travel.

Payments

WeChat Pay and Alipay are two of the most common payments in daily life in Wuhan. Both of them have English interfaces and allow users to pay with mobile phones conveniently. The first step is to open a domestic bank account and enable online banking in person. The second step is to link the bank account with WeChat Pay and Alipay. Bank staff will guide you in detail on how to bind your accounts with these payments. To complete transactions, enter your six-digit PIN for Alipay or WeChat Pay. You’ll find it super convenient to go shopping online or offline with these payment solutions. However, it is advisable to take some cash with you before you get familiar with these tools.

Insurance

Health insurance is strongly recommended for traveling or living in China, although it is not legally required. If you are visiting APM, you can purchase suitable travel insurance from your normal insurance provider, bank, or travel agent. If you are employed at APM, you will be provided with basic health insurance as part of your social insurance package.

Climate & weather in Wuhan

Wuhan is situated in the south of China, as the capital city of Hubei province. Wuhan has a subtropical monsoon climate with abundant rainfall, sunshine, heat, and four distinctive seasons. It can get very hot in summer and very cold in winter. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times of the year but are very short. The average maximum temperature in July is 33°C (91°F), in January is 7°C (44°F). Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times of the year but are very short. Such characteristics will allow you opportunities to appreciate the diversity of scenery in Wuhan. For more current information and weather forecasts, please visit: http://en.weather.com.cn/weather/101200101.shtml

How to get to APM

Currently, there is only one international airport in Wuhan, which is the Wuhan Tianhe International Airport. It is one of the busiest airports in Central China and would be your first stop if you come to Wuhan by air. The Airport is located in Huangpi District, about 26 km away from the city center. From Wuhan Tianhe International Airport to APM, here are three means of transportation for you to choose from:

(1)   Taxi: It will take you about one hour from the airport to APM (depending on traffic) and it will cost around RMB90-120. Tell or show the driver the full name of APM in Chinese: 中国科学院精密测量科学与技术创新研究院). APM has two office parks, one is the East Lake Park (东湖园区), the other is Xiaohongshan Park (小洪山园区). Also, tell the driver which specific park you are heading for. Don’t forget to ask for the receipt.

(2)   Airport Express: You can take airport express at Terminal 3 and get off at the Fujiapo Long Distance Bus Station（傅家坡客运站）, then take bus 522 to get off at Hongshan Sideway Dongsan Road Station (洪山侧路东三路), you’ll find APM around 350 meters away. The airport express fare is RMB49/person and takes approximately one hour and a quarter. The operation hour for airport express is 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (day shift), and 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. (night shift). You could see the express arriving every 40 minutes. The bus fare is RMB2/person and takes about 10 minutes. The operation hour is from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

(3)   Metro: It is convenient and the least time-consuming in rush hours. You can get on at Tianhe International Airport Station on Metro Line 2 (地铁2号线天河机场站) near the Terminal 3, get off at Hongshan Square Station (洪山广场站), and take Exit F1. Then you may take bus 606 to Hongshan Sideway Dongsan Road Station (洪山侧路东三路) and find APM around 350 meters away. The cost for the metro line is RMB8/person and takes about one hour and a half. The operation hour of Metro Line 2 is from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.