Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
"Columbia and China: Past and Future"
2009 Columbia University Symposium in Beijing
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Westin Financial Street, Treasury Ball Room
9B Financial Street • Xicheng District • Beijing, China 100032
- Where is the Symposium being held?
- What are the phone number and fax number of the hotel?
- Is the hotel and function space handicap accessible?
- Is there wireless high speed internet access in the hotel?
- Will food be provided during the Symposium?
- Is photography allowed during the Symposium?
- Are cell phones/PDAs allowed at the Symposium?
- What are the Symposium Registration Desk hours?
- Where is the cocktail reception being held?
- If I register for the Symposium am I also registered for the photo exhibition and the jazz concert?
- Will there be a Q&A portion during the Symposium?
- What time are the hours of the hotel business center?
- Is smoking permitted on the premises?
- May I bring a guest to the Symposium?
- Can I record the presentations?
- Will copies of any presentations be available for attendees?
- Can I receive a special Columbia rate at the Westin Hotel as a registered Symposium attendee?
- How far is the domestic and international airport from the hotel? Can I arrange transportation through the hotel?
- How do I get to the hotel?
- What are the Check-in/Check-out hours of the hotel?
- What events/activities are there to do in the area?
- Where is the US Embassy located?
- Where is the nearest hospital?
• Where is the Symposium being held?
The Symposium is being held at the Westin Financial Street, located on 9B Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China 100140. The event will take place in the Treasury Ballroom located on the second floor of the hotel.
• What are the phone number and fax number of the hotel?
The Westin Financial Street’s phone number is (86)(10) 6606 8866. Their fax number is (86)(10) 6606 8899.
• Is the hotel and function space handicap accessible?
The hotel is handicap accessible throughout all of its function space. The hotel also offers two handicap accessible guest rooms.
• Is there wireless high speed internet access in the hotel?
There is free wireless high speed internet access in all guest rooms and the public areas of the hotel.
• Will food be provided during the Symposium?
Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided during break times. Cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres will be served at the cocktail reception.
• Is photography allowed during the Symposium?
You may take photos but flash photography is not permitted.
• Are cell phones/PDAs allowed at the Symposium?
As a courtesy to your fellow attendees and speakers, we ask that you please put your device on silent. If you receive or need to make a phone call, please step outside of the meeting room to do so.
• What are the Symposium Registration Desk hours?
The Registration desk will be open from 12:00pm-6:00pm.
• Where is the cocktail reception being held?
The cocktail reception will take place in the lounge area by the Treasury Ballroom at 7:00pm.
• If I register for the Symposium am I also registered for the photo exhibition and the jazz concert?
Once you register for the Symposium, you are automatically registered to attend the photo exhibition. You must register separately for the jazz concert. Please visit http://www.columbia.edu/cu/weai/60/index.html to register for the complimentary jazz concert.
• Will there be a Q&A portion during the Symposium?
There will be a Q&A session after each panel discussion.
• What time are the hours of the hotel business center?
The Business Center is open from 7:00am to 11:00pm daily and is located on the second floor of the hotel.
• Is smoking permitted on the premises?
Smoking is permitted on the smoking floor.
• May I bring a guest to the Symposium?
Your guest must have pre-registered for the Symposium in order to attend. We cannot guarantee that there will be seats available the day of the Symposium.
• Can I record the presentations?
You must be a registered member of the media in order to conduct any type of recording during the Symposium. Please contact our Publications and Public Relations Coordinator, Daniel Rivero at 212-854-1735 or dr2260@columbia.edu if you wish to register.
• Will copies of any presentations be available for attendees?
If speakers give permission to make their presentations available to the attendees, then their presentations will be posted on the WEAI website.
• Can I receive a special Columbia rate at the Westin Hotel as a registered Symposium attendee?
Yes, you can receive a special rate when booking your stay at the Westin Financial District for the Symposium. Please email Caroline Hasegawa at cb2469@columbia.edu to receive the hotel reservation form, or you can try calling the hotel directly for the reduced rate by mentioning that you are attending the Symposium being held by Columbia University.
• How far is the domestic and international airport from the hotel? Can I arrange transportation through the hotel?
The hotel is approximately 40 minutes from the international and domestic airport.
Yes, car service is offered through the hotel; Audi A6 at the price of 600RMB, a Mercedes Benz S350 at the price of 850RMB, or a Mercedes Benz S600 at the price of 920 RMB for a one way trip. If you interested in booking a car, please contact the hotel and let them know what car type you are interested in getting picked up in and your flight information. The hotel’s airport transfer service needs to be guaranteed by credit card. When making the reservation, you must supply them with your full name, credit card number and expiration date.
General Driving Directions to the Hotel
From East
Take the Jianguomennei Dajie (Second Ring Rd) and follow the Xichang-An Jie (Second Ring Rd). Turn right onto Fuchengmen Beidajie (Second Ring Rd) and continue to Fuchengmennei Dajie. Turn right into Fuchengmennei Dajie.
From North
Take the Deshengmen Dongdajie (Second Ring Rd) and turn left onto Xizhimen Nandajie (Second Ring Rd). Continue to Fuchengmen Beidajie (Second Ring Rd) and proceed to Fuchengmennei Dajie. Turn left into Fuchengmennei Dajie.
From West
Take the Fuximenwai Dajie and turn left into Fuxingmen Beidajie (Second Ring Rd). Proceed to Fuchengmennei Dajie and turn right.
From South
Follow the Fuchengmen Beidajie (Second Ring Rd) and turn right into Fuchengmennei Dajie. The hotel is located on the right side.
Public Transportation
Metro: Metro Fuchengmen or Fuxingmen line.
• What are the Check-in/Check-out hours of the hotel?
Check-in is at 3:00pm and check-out is at 12:00pm.
• What events/activities are there to do in the area?
Local Attractions
Beihai Park: 1.6 km/1.0 miles
Bar Street: 1.6 km/1.0 miles
Forbidden City: 3.2 km/2.0 miles
Tiananmen Square: 3.2 km/2.0 miles
Drum and Bell Towers: 6.4 km/4.0 miles
CCTV Movie Studio: 8.1 km/5.0 miles
Sanlitun Bar Street: 9.6 km/6.0 miles
The Ming Tombs: 45.0 km/28.0 miles
Great Wall Mutianyu: 64.4 km/40.0 miles
Great Wall Simatai: 64.4 km/40.0 miles
Great Wall at Badalling: 66.0 km/41.0 miles
Hou Hai: 1.6 km/1.0 miles
Beijing Zoo: 3.2 km/2.0 miles
Jingshan Park: 6.1 km/3.8 miles
Shopping
Financial Street Shopping Center: 0.0 km/0.0 miles
Xidan Beidajie (Shopping): 1.6 km/1.0 miles
Wangfujing Dajie: 4.8 km/3.0 miles
Artist Street: 8.1 km/5.0 miles
Panjiayuan Weekend Antiques Market: 12.9 km/8.0 miles
Transportation
Beijing West Railway Station8:1 km/5.0 miles
Entertainment
Workers Stadium (West Gate): 6.4 km/4.0 miles
National Olympic Center: 16.1 km/10.0 miles
• Where is the US Embassy located?
The US Embassy of Beijing is located at No. 55 An Jia Lou Lu 100600, Beijing. Their telephone is (86-10) 8531-3000.
• Where is the nearest hospital?
Beijing Post Hospital
Address: 41 Damucang Alley, 100032 Beijing
Phone: 010-66020295
Beijing Erlong Road Hospital
Address: 1 Xiagang Alley, 100032, Beijing
Phone: 010-66052843